BUCKET LIST IDEA – 50 STATES BEFORE GRADUATION

As you saw in my first post, I absolutely love to plan and make lists. Isn’t it the best feeling to check something off a list?? Well, one of my favorite lists is our bucket list! And, one of my top bucket list items is to take both kids to all 50 states before their high school graduation. Does anyone else have this bucket list item?

So, what do we constitute checking off a state? An airport layover or driving through the state does not count for our bucket list. We must engage in some kind of activity or visit a sight for the state to count! As of today, Emma & Olivia have checked off 18 states!

Once we check a state off of our list, we also make sure to scratch it off on the map below from Waypoint Wanders. It’s a great way for the kids to have a better understanding of where we went as well as increase their geographical knowledge. These scratch off maps turn into beautiful art underneath and are very inexpensive.

Emma’s first state was Philadelphia, where she was born! This past March, we went back to Philly to visit some family. We drove to Philly from Greensboro, which is about a 7 hour drive without traffic. While we were waiting for family to fly in, we decided to hit up the Please Touch Museum. I remember going to this museum when I was a kid and have the fondest memories.

Baby Emma in Philadelphia with Gregg & I!

The girls had a blast running around and playing in the museum. There was a kitchen play area that I could not get them away from, and the carousel was also a hit. Before we left, I snapped a picture of the girls with the Mad Hatter Philly Phanatic statue. The Philly Phanatic is the mascot for the Philadelphia Phillies (the major league baseball team). When Gregg & I lived in Philly, there were custom-painted Phanatic statues placed all over the city. Currently, there are three permanently on display and one is at the Please Touch Museum.

A picture of my sister and I in 2010 with the Phanatic Phans statue at Citizens Bank Park.

Visiting the Please Touch Museum was the only tourist item on our list for this trip. We loved having the time with family, but we are looking forward to our next trip back to hit up some more of our favorite tourist attractions!

Some of our must do’s in Philadelphia with kids include:

  • Franklin Institute
  • Running the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Franklin Square park (carousel, Philly mini golf, and playground)
  • Visiting the Liberty Bell
  • Seeing Boathouse Row lit up at night
  • Eating Jim’s steaks (our favorite cheesesteaks!!)
  • Walking down Elfreth’s Alley (Oldest residential street)

What are your must do’s in Philly with kids?

Emma in Elfreth’s Alley in June 2014 during another trip.

Thank you so much for reading this post! Did you enjoy it? Do you have any recommendations?? We hope to hear from you soon!