There are many fun things to do in the summer, whether you stay home or venture somewhere fresh. The important thing is to write down a summer bucket list so you can make sure you're making the most of your time. This way, you can look at the list to see what you still need to do and can plan around it. This is a great idea for families that want to keep the kids entertained. 

Not everything has to be expensive, like a trip to Disneyland. You can do free and affordable things like having picnics at local parks or regular outdoor activities like playing kickball or soccer with family. Or you can buy exciting experiences like science kits.

There are plenty of summer activities and fun ideas to keep you busy all season long. Summer break doesn't have to be dull or filled solely with scrolling TikTok or watching movies all day long. Family members of all ages can enjoy fun activities together.

Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100+ Things to Do in the Summer Carmen Varner travel food writer


Summer Bucket List Ideas - 100 things to do in the summer

  1. Keep a list of the best things you did during the summer
  2. Host an outdoor movie night using a laptop or projector 
  3. Take a bike ride around the neighborhood 
  4. Go to an outdoor concert 
  5. Go get ice cream
  6. Take a cooking class to learn how to make something new 
  7. Go for a swim
  8. Take the whole family to a local park 
  9. Go bird watching 
  10. Spend all day outside (100+ Things to Do Outside)
  11. Play a new podcast
  12. Organize a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt with your friends 
  13. Sign up for a yoga class 
  14. Go rock climbing 
  15. See if you can spot lightning bugs outside
  16. Spend the day at a water park as a way to cool off 
  17. Walk around the mall and window shop
  18. Visit a local playground 
  19. Draw with sidewalk chalk 
  20. Play hide and seek 
  21. Drive to a different street to go on a walk 
  22. Have the kids create puppets
  23. Have a puppet show 
  24. Take a walk or stroll around the neighborhood
  25. Go to a drive in movie 
  26. Listen to an audiobook
  27. Invite a couple friends or family members over for a potluck or BBQ
  28. Play kickball
  29. Play tennis
  30. Play volleyball or beach volleyball
  31. Host a sleepover (100+ Things to Do at a Sleepover)
  32. Go on a fishing trip 
  33. Try to learn a new language, whether you learn on an app, books, or videos
  34. Eat hot dogs
  35. Go on a hot air balloon ride 
  36. Take one photo a day to create an album of your summer
  37. Schedule a helicopter tour
  38. Try doing a science experiment- there are science kits online for kids of different ages
  39. Have a bonfire
  40. Looking into tutoring to learn a subject or be a tutor and teach something you're good at
  41. Make paper airplanes and see which one goes that furthest 
  42. Fly a kite - you can find different kites online for different ages
  43. Make a lemonade stand in your front yard 
  44. Go to a flea market
  45. Watch videos and try to learn a new skill
  46. Build a sandcastle
  47. Run through the sprinklers on a hot day
  48. Spend the day at a nearby city
  49. Play frisbee
  50. Write in a journal (100+ Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery)
  51. Visit your local botanical garden or nature preserve 
  52. Complete a puzzle - like a wildflower puzzle or something with a design you like
  53. Make a snow cone 
  54. Spend time at your local library and check out a couple of books to read for the summer
  55. Go to the beach, lake, or body of water close to you
  56. Find somewhere dark to star gaze
  57. Have a movie marathon - especially if they are movies about summer
  58. Start planting a garden 
  59. Go for a scenic drive
  60. Take a pottery class 
  61. Start a DIY project like making body scrub
  62. Build a sandcastle
  63. Create a summer bucket list of everything you want to do, see, make, read, or accomplish - have the entire family create their own bucket list
  64. Go to an art museum or gallery
  65. Visit a landmark near you
  66. Make homemade popsicles with fruit or fruit juice 
  67. Make cotton candy 
  68. Roast marshmallows for s'mores - make the process even easier with a s'mores kit
  69. Sign up for a class and try to make new friends
  70. Attend a summer camp
  71. Go camping
  72. Visit a petting zoo or animal sanctuary
  73. Invite friends over (100+ Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends)
  74. Sit in a hammock
  75. Write and send someone a physical letter in the mail
  76. Host a game night with family or friends
  77. Go ice skating
  78. Go to a rollerskating rink
  79. Cook a new recipe - look online or through cookbooks for inspiration on what to make
  80. Go on a hike
  81. Volunteer someplace like your local library or animal rescue
  82. Pick strawberries at a local you-pick farm 
  83. Make a time capsule of your summer - get a time capsule kit or make it yourself
  84. Make ice cream from scratch and include your favorite add-ins 
  85. Take a dance class 
  86. Create an obstacle course in your yard 
  87. Watch a sunset
  88. Watch a sunrise
  89. Ride a Ferris wheel 
  90. Build your own bird feeder
  91. Go to a miniature golf course 
  92. Visit an amusement park or a theme park
  93. Bake homemade pizza (just be sure to buy the ingredients ahead of time and plan out your toppings)
  94. Stay cool by tossing water balloons - try reusable water balloons
  95. Check online to find a cafe or someplace that has live music
  96. Head to your local farmers market for fresh summer produce 
  97. Take a road trip (can be just a day trip or longer) 
  98. Sit outside at one of the nearby parks and cloud watch
  99. Go to a garage sale
  100. Spend quality time with your besties or family
Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100+ Things to Do in the Summer
Summer bucket list ideas

Fun Ideas to Create Your Own Summer Bucket List

These summer bucket list ideas should keep you entertained. Write down your own list based on things you want to do the most. Aim for a list of 20 things to do, which gives you time to complete without feeling overwhelmed. After all, it is summer and sometimes you just want to sleep in and watch 5 seasons of your favorite show. There's nothing wrong with taking it slow during the summer months. But if you're feeling adventurous you can make your fun summer list as long as you want. Many creative ways exist to have a fun summer and cross things off each person's bucket list.