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

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.

Located at the Irvine Spectrum, the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine is a small spot with  Hello Kitty merchandise, handmade hot and iced beverages, cakes, donuts, other sweet treats, and seasonal goodies.

The Hello Kitty Grand Cafe offers merch like t-shirts, tote bags, pins, keychains, and more. It's quite small, and there is a queue to order food. There is no indoor seating. Reservations are required for the Bow Room afternoon tea with seating. There are tables and chairs outside for mall patrons to use. The treats are packaged in Hello Kitty boxes or packaging for you to take with you.

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe interior

Drinks and Treats

You can expect mini donuts like cinnamon sugar, rainbow, and cookies and cream. Desserts are limited in quantity. The Hello Kitty Cafe has birthday cake, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, mama's apple pie, mixed berry pocket pie, macaron set, freshly baked cookies, and other sweets. They also have the seasonal strawberry tart, blueberry pocket pie, and rainbow mini donuts.

If you want something cold, they have pineapple and vanilla Dole soft serve. The Hello Kitty Cafe has iced drinks like teas (green or black), lemonades, blended drinks, espresso drinks, and strawberry milk. Even if you don't go for the tea service, you can still make a quick stop to soothe your sweet tooth. Get a couple of little cakes or donuts before you leave the Irvine Spectrum.

Supercute menu at Hello Kitty Cafe

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine Address

Located at the Irvine Spectrum at 860 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618. It's near the Giant Wheel Court. Park for free at the mall and then walk to the store. Depending on the day and time you arrive, parking might be hard to find, so I recommend just going to the parking structure. There's a lot more parking there. 

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine sign

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine Hours

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 9 pm 

Friday - Sunday 10 am-10 pm 

Afternoon Tea Hours

Wednesday - Friday 11 am - 2:30 pm (last seating) 

Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 3:30 pm (last seating) 

Afternoon tea at the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe starts at $60 per person. The expanded menu has savory foods like the pesto tart, salmon croissant, and cucumber sandwich with dill cream cheese served on milk bread. It also serves sweet options like strawberries and cocoa cream, seasonal scone, Hello Kitty mini cake, and more. This is a cute spot to come with a Hello Kitty-loving friend for a fun afternoon tea service and a sweet experience. 

Cocktail Service 

Wednesday - Saturday 5 pm - 9:30 pm (last seating)

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe also has a cocktail menu featuring items like the Kitty Colada with rum, pineapple soft serve, and coconut or the Bee Kind with gin, vermouth, lemon, lavender honey, and ginger.

Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine

Bow Room

The Hello Kitty Cafe's chic pink Bow Room has a bar area, tables, and chairs. This is a separate space inside of the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe where you can dine with a reservation.

You should check out the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe at the Irvine Spectrum if you or someone you know is a Helloy Kitty fan. Making reservations to experience the afternoon tea service and ensure its availability. It is something kids will never forget for a birthday celebration or special occasion. You can also pick up Hello Kitty Cafe merchandise if you want to take a souvenir home that you can wear.

Take videos and enjoy the moment.

Rain or shine, there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you and the kids busy throughout the year. Take a look at this list of over 100 things to do outside to ensure you'll stay entertained no matter what. Most of these great ideas can be customized for adults, little kids, or for the family. Some of these are nature-based, while others are some of the best outdoor activities. 

There are many fun things to do outside for all ages, from hosting an outdoor movie night to a water balloon fight in the local park.

Many of these activities for the great outdoors are free (outdoor dance party, scavenger hunt, etc.), but some require payment, such as miniature golfing. Many of these can be done with items you likely already have at home, like making DIY bubbles. See how many of these you can do in a day or during summer vacation.

100 Things to Do Outside 

1. Make an obstacle course in the backyard or front yard 
2. Spend the afternoon at an amusement park 
3. Make a fairy garden 
4. Play hide and seek 
5. Walk around to see how much street art and graffiti you can find
6. Do a nature scavenger hunt 
7. Plan an outdoor movie night (you can get an outdoor projector screen or simply watch it on your phone or laptop)
8. Make or play with slime outdoors
9. Go to a local outdoor concert 
10. When life hands you lemons, make a lemonade stand 
11. Head over to your local farmers market for fresh air and produce 
12. Calm down with outdoor yoga 
13. Visit a dog park 
14. Stroll your local botanic garden 
15. Go geocaching 
16. Play basketball 
17. Play tennis
18. Spend the afternoon cloud-watching
19. Go stargazing
20. Pull weeds from the backyard
21. Paint a shower curtain (try a clear shower curtain or liner for this)
22. Make a sensory bin
23. Play with Legos or blocks
24. Go horseback riding 
25. Get binoculars to go bird watching (you can get a bird watching book and binoculars to better spot the wildlife)
26. Take photos
27. Plan a trip to a national park 
28. Take a bike ride 
29. Attend a basketball or baseball game
30. Build an outdoor fort  
31. Find a quiet spot in a park to read a book or listen to a podcast 
32. Play frisbee golf 
33. Play freeze tag
34. Go to an outdoor ice skating rink 
35. Spend time at a state park 
36. Build a mud kitchen 
37. Get artistic and draw on the pavement with sidewalk chalk (buy sidewalk chalk online here)
38. Visit a pumpkin patch 
39. Play board games outside 
40. Go kayaking or conoeing
41. Run through the sprinklers on a hot day
42. Play or build a treehouse 
43. Paint pet rocks 
44. Do an outdoor workout
45. Create a playlist and listen to it outside 
46. Grill burgers or veggies outside
47. Get the whole family to do an outdoor dance party
48. Go on a walk to see if you can identify the nature around you (plants, flowers, trees, etc.)
49. Tie dye shirts or beach towels outside so you don't stain anything (you can get a tie dye kit and pick color themes like neon colors, etc) 
50. Get vitamin D and take a long walk on the beach 
51. Wash your car inside and out 
52. Hike local trails
53. Go to a water park
54. People watch outside
55. Go swimming at a local pool, lake, beach, etc.
56. Go surfing
57. Run through the sprinklers 
58. Cool off in the splash pad (there are splash pads for different ages, so you can keep this in mind)
59. Look for bugs
60. Watch the sunset or sunrise
61. Try your hand at paddle boarding
62. Try out your green thumb and plant a garden in your backyard 
63. Fly a kite 
64. Pitch a tent in the yard and camp there
65. Explore your local park, beach, or forest 
66. Write in your journal in a park (100+ Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery)
67. Go rock climbing
68. Play a game of tug of war 
69. Do a puzzle outside 
70. Eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner outside
71. Give your patio, balcony, or welcome mat a good wash 
72. Paint rocks in fun shapes like fruits or vegetables 
73. Hug a tree 
74. Make s'mores (there are electric flameless s'mores kits if you don't have access to a fire)
75. Go camping 
76. Have a picnic in nature 
77. Take an outdoor nap 
78. Go skiing or snowboarding
79. Check out a book from the local library and read it outside
80. Eat homemade popsicles in your backyard 
81. Hula hoop (buy hula hoops online or at the store)
82. Play hopscotch
83. Climb a tree
84. Make a bird feeder
85. Walk the dog
86. Lay in a hammock 
87. Play capture the flag 
88. Grab old magazine and make a collage outside
89. Meditate in the great outdoors
90. Play hopscotch 
91. Build a fairy garden
92. Head to a zoo or petting zoo
93. Play catch
94. Build an obstacle course
95. Make DIY chalk paint 
96. Make DIY bubbles (but you could go fancy with a bubble gun or bubble machine)
97. Feel the grass on your skin on a sunny day 
98. Attend an estate sale or garage sale
99. Host a garden party
100. Cool off with a water balloon fight (they also have reusable water balloons)
101. Play mini golf
102. Go fishing

There are many fun things to do in the great outdoors. If you can't think of anything, refer back to this list. This is a fantastic way for kids to stay occupied during school breaks or vacations. 

When you're trying to think of a fun way to spend the day outside, you have to figure out what type of activities you like to do first. Do you prefer being active, like doing outdoor yoga or a bike ride? Do you like leisure activities like bird watching or strolling around a garage sale? Do you just want to do something minimal and be outside, such as reading? Figuring this out will help you find your favorite things to do for yourself, your family, and your kids.

Find fresh, delicious food at The Desmond, which is part of Kimpton Alma in the Downtown San Diego Gaslamp District. The Gaslamp is known for its nightlife but has its fair share of other things to do, whether you're with kids, on a romantic trip, or stopping by with friends.

If you're staying in the Kimpton Alma, consider getting dinner at The Desmond, which is located on the mezzanine level. 

Where is The Desmond San Diego?

The address of The Desmond is 1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. They invited me to have dinner, so I went with my family to see what goodies were on the menu. The menu centers around San Diego and California cuisine with options like seafood and pasta. 

Parking in Downtown San Diego

The hotel has valet parking, which is easier than circling the one-way streets of downtown San Diego in search of a spot. But if valet isn't your thing, you can drive further away to seek a place.

Food and Menu

If you enjoy bread, start with the roasted garlic and herb focaccia bread service. The menu seems to rotate through the seasons, so when I checked back about two months later, the items I got weren't on it. They have appetizers, entrees, desserts, and cocktails.

That said, I really enjoyed the fresh, housemade pasta. The ingredients and thoughtful presentations are focal points to ensure an experience unlike anything you'd get at an average restaurant. Each dish is carefully presented. 

It's a terrific spot to celebrate a birthday, retirement, or special occasion dining experience. The prices are above the standard burger joint but not as costly as you'd expect for a fine-dining restaurant. You can get a cocktail and entree for around $75-80, depending on your order. They also have a 3-course and 5-course menu but you can call ahead to inquire about this.

Desserts

The menu will vary, but you can expect incredible deliciously seasonal desserts. Don't leave without getting at least one. For example, they have a Wildflower Honey Coconut Tapioca that's made with mango custard, honey sweet mango, coconut geleé, and a bit of toasted coconut.

When I went, I had the Basque Cheesecake and Gianduia Chocolate Budino. Both were decadent and the perfect way to end the evening. Desserts cost $10-15, which is around the same price as a dessert at a pizza place in North County San Diego. 

Cocktails at The Desmond

The cocktails are well-crafted and balanced with a range of alcohols and flavors, like Stranahan’s Whiskey. This drink is shaken with cardamom tea and lemon.

Ambience 

I went earlier during dinner service and was among the first people there. During dinner, several other patrons filtered through, whether on a date or business trip. It was still quiet and spacious. The bathroom stalls are gender-neutral and in one open-concept bathroom area.

Visit The Desmond San Diego in Southern California if you want a night of high-quality food experience. They are only open for dinner, but it's a lovely spot for a meal, wine, or dessert.