Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100+ Things to Do in the Summer

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

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

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.