Looking for Summer bucket list ideas to keep you and your kids busy and happy this summer? Here are tons of ideas for friends and families to do together – and a FREE printable list!
Summertime is my favorite time of the year. It’s hot, the days are long, and it feels like there are so many special occasions.
However, if you are off of your normal routine – kids are home from school, college is out, you have a break from work – the days can feel long and the weeks can feel longer.
Enter the summer bucket list.
A bucket list is a great way to make a big list of fun ideas to have in your back pocket. When someone feels bored or restless, refer to the bucket list for a new activity.
Let the summer fun begin!
Click here to download the FREE printable summer bucket list!
What is a bucket list?
A bucket list is a list of activities or accomplishments you want to get done by a set date or time. Traditionally it’s before you “kick the bucket,” but in our case, it is by the end of summer!
What makes a great bucket list for kids?
A great way to make your kids get excited about a bucket list is to let them be involved. You can give them ideas – and I have tons of ideas for you! – but you should also let them come up with some ideas and get to choose what makes the cut.
A lot of these are ideas for kids but a lot of them could also work for teens, college students, roommates, or couples. Fun activities have no age limit!
How to use the bucket list
Print the list and hang it up on your fridge or bulletin board. Or, write ideas on slips of paper and create a Bored Jar for the summer!
How to make a custom bucket list
If you want to make a bucket list that is perfect for you, you need to first think about your priorities and what you want to do!
Do you want to spend time outside? Focus on outdoor activities!
Want to learn new skills? Think about classes you can take or museums you might visit.
Pick specific bucket list ideas that suit your goals for the ultimate customized summer bucket list.
Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas
Here are a ton of fun summer activity ideas to get your summer bucket list started! I tried to focus on things that were very cheap or free and could be done with or without kids. Enjoy!
- Pick strawberries
- Have a water balloon fight
- Make ice cream from scratch
- Visit a museum
- Fly a kite
- Decorate a sidewalk with chalk
- Blow bubbles
- Paint rocks
- Tie dye t-shirts
- Try origami
- Go for a hike
- Have a picnic
- Stargaze
- Catch fireflies
- Watch fireworks
- Dance in the rain
- Watch a sunrise
- Watch a sunset
- Have a food fight
- Plant a garden
- Host a scavenger hunt
- Bury a time capsule
- Go to the library
- Go for a bike ride
- Play in the sprinklers
- Play on a slip and slide
- Make s’mores
- Have a pillow fight
- Camp in the back yard
- Do a random act of kindness (here are ideas for Random Acts of Kindness for Kids!)
- Play flashlight tag
- Paint a wall
- Play bingo
- Bake treats for a neighbor
- Make homemade pizza
- Identify plants in your neighborhood
- Make paper airplanes
- Skip rocks on a pond
- Have a yard sale
- Decorate cookies
- Have a favorite movie marathon
- Host a game night
- Make popsicles
- Take a class and learn a new skill
- Feed the ducks
- Make pickles
- Go to a local festival
- Do a craft
- Have a “yes” day
- Build a sandcastle
- Have breakfast for dinner
- Organize a drawer or closet
- Cook a new recipe
- Build a fort
- Start a collection
- Make sushi
- Play hide and seek
- Eat a watermelon
- Walk through a new neighborhood
- Catch fireflies
- Make ice cream floats
- Try a new vegetable
- Wear your pajamas all day
- Sit by the fire and sing
- Invite someone new to dinner
- Set up a bird feeder
- Play dodge ball
- Take a nap in a hammock
- Make mud pies
- Read at least ten books – check out this summer reading list!
- Go fishing
- Make a new friend
- Get a pen pal
- Visit a new park
- Get a house plant
- Wrap a gift with recycled wrapping paper
- Play Marco Polo
- Plant flowers
- Feed ducks or birds
- Cook dinner over a bonfire
- Visit a farmer’s market
- Have a slumber party
- Go to an outdoor concert
- Do a good deed
- Make slime
- Have a water gun war
- Shop at a yard sale
- Write and mail a handwritten letter
- Ride in a boat
- Make ice cream sundaes
- Roast marshmallows
- Teach a dog a new trick
- Petsit for a friend
- Decorate bikes and have a parade
- Unplug for 1 day
- Sleep in a tent
- Visit an ice cream truck
- Make tortillas from scratch
- Attend a sporting event
- Paint a landscape
- Video chat a friend or relative
Free printable Summer Bucket List!
Want to print your bucket list and hang it on the fridge or a bulletin board? You are in luck! Click here to sign up and I will email you a Summer bucket list printable!
You will get two files – one is filled in with 50 Summer bucket list ideas and the other has blanks so that you and your family can add your own ideas!
What’s on your summer bucket list?
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈