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. 

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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 - this is quintessential for things to do during summer
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 - There are so many out there. Just do a search to see some options based on your likes.
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 - There are loads of playgrounds and you can easily find them searching online just type in "playgrounds near me."
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 - Let your creativity flow. Try to make the puppets yourself using what you have around the house.
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 - This is a classic summer bucket list idea.
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 39. kids of different ages
40. Have a bonfire
41. Looking into tutoring to learn a subject or be a tutor and teach something you're good at
42. Make paper airplanes and see which one goes that furthest 
43. Fly a kite - you can find different kites online for different ages
44. Make a lemonade stand in your front yard 
45. Go to a flea market
46. Watch videos and try to learn a new skill
47. Build a sandcastle
48. Run through the sprinklers on a hot day
49. Spend the day at a nearby city
50. Play frisbee
51. Write in a journal (100+ Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery)
52. Visit your local botanical garden or nature preserve 
53. Complete a puzzle - like a wildflower puzzle or something with a design you like
54. Make a snow cone 
55. Spend time at your local library and check out a couple of books to read for the summer
56. Go to the beach, lake, or body of water close to you
57. Find somewhere dark to star gaze
58. Have a movie marathon - especially if they are movies about summer
59. Start planting a garden 
60. Go for a scenic drive
61. Take a pottery class 
62. Start a DIY project like making body scrub
63. Build a sandcastle - This is so fun!
64. 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
65. Go to an art museum or gallery - Sometimes museums have free days, so you can check this out online before you go and plan around it.
66. Visit a landmark near you
67. Make homemade popsicles with fruit or fruit juice
68. Make cotton candy 
69. Roast marshmallows for s'mores - make the process even easier with a s'mores kit
70. Sign up for a class and try to make new friends
71. Attend a summer camp
72. Go camping
73. Visit a petting zoo or animal sanctuary
75. Sit in a hammock
76. Write and send someone a physical letter in the mail
77. Host a game night with family or friends
78. Go ice skating
79. Go to a rollerskating rink
80. Cook a new recipe - look online or through cookbooks for inspiration on what to make
81. Go on a hike
82. Volunteer someplace like your local library or animal rescue
83. Pick strawberries at a local you-pick farm 
84. Make a time capsule of your summer - get a time capsule kit or make it yourself
85. Make ice cream from scratch and include your favorite add-ins 
86. Take a dance class 
87. Create an obstacle course in your yard 
88. Watch a sunset
89. Watch a sunrise
90. Ride a Ferris wheel - This way you can get a better view of the area around you.
91. Build your own bird feeder
92. Go to a miniature golf course 
93. Visit an amusement park or a theme park
94. Bake homemade pizza (just be sure to buy the ingredients ahead of time and plan out your toppings)
95. Stay cool by tossing water balloons - try reusable water balloons
96. Check online to find a cafe or someplace that has live music
97. Head to your local farmers market for fresh summer produce 
98. Take a road trip (can be just a day trip or longer) 
99. Sit outside at one of the nearby parks and cloud watch
100. Go to a garage sale
101. 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.