As eager as your students are for the school year to end, it won’t be long until they are actually bored during their summer break. Yes, I said “bored.” Help your students stay focused and creative while they gear up for that day with this fun and creative classroom activity.

In this blog, I will share an activity that will teach students a valuable lesson as they create their own Summer Bucket List. The catch is that they will create it while working in small groups. As always, you can do as much or as little as you like with this idea. Here’s how to get started.

Lesson and Class Discussion:

First, start the lesson with the whole class by following these steps:

Read aloud and discuss this story, Seven Captive Princesses.
Review the definition of the word boredom. Merriam-Webster defines it as the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest.
Discuss how boredom doesn’t have to be a negative or bad thing in their life. The state of boredom can be an opportunity to tap into their creativity. Allow students to share their personal experiences with boredom and their solution for it with the class.
Ask students if they’ve ever been bored during a vacation. Ask them to describe what they will do when they get bored over their summer break. Allow a few students to share their ideas. (Make popsicles, make a DIY costume, plant something, make a movie, etc.)

Group Work: Brainstorming

Next, divide your students into small groups (3-4 students per group).

Allow 10-15 minutes for each group to brainstorm a list of activities they could do when they get bored during the upcoming summer vacation.
Instruct them to write their list on a numbered sheet of paper.
When complete, have each group place their list in the middle of the table where they worked.
Give groups time to rotate around to each groups’ table. (3-5 minutes per table)
Each group will review and discuss the other group’s ideas amongst themselves.

Then, when the rotations are complete, have students go back to their individual desks. Explain the meaning of a “Summer Bucket List.” In this case, you can describe it as a list of things or activities that someone has never done before but would like to do before the summer ends.

Individual Work: Create a Summer Bucket List

Pass out the “Summer Bucket List” worksheet. (See Example.)
Ask students to complete their list individually. Add some fun beach music in the background, or enjoy a popsicle treat if you’d like.
Have students staple their lists on a pre-made and ready to decorate a bulletin board. (Be sure students take home their lists on the last day of school.)

Again, go as big or small as you’d like to create the bulletin board. It’s up to you! With their Summer Bucket List ready to go, your students will hopefully have a creative summer break!

Oh, and don’t forget about YOU!…what’s on your Summer Bucket List?