Ah, summer, with its sunny days, barbecues, and fireflies after dark, is one of my favorite times of year. Longer days, less structure, and vacations also mean more downtime, play time, and hopefully more family time!
Even though we homeschool, summer means a more relaxed schedule (and more time at the beach!). Summer brings a feeling of freedom and relaxation, but after a while it can get boring. Inevitably, I eventually hear, “Mom, I’m booed.”
Sounds familiar?
A while ago, my family started the tradition of creating an annual summer bucket list. Even if we don’t do every item on our list, it’s a great way to make memories, spend time on fun new summer experiences, and revisit our favorites.
If you’re looking to create a summer activity list, this is a great place to start!
How to Make a Fun Summer Bucket List
One of our favorite ways to beat summer boredom is to write a summer bucket list. It motivates us to come up with new experiences to try that are out of the ordinary and bring back some old favorites. And when boredom hits, it’s the perfect time to check off the list.
The following will help you create a list of summer activities for your family. A tip: do a first draft before involving the kids. That way, you’ll have your priorities straight before the kids add their “contributions” (and there will be many!).
1. Brainstorm Wish List Ideas
Start with some basic brainstorming. These questions will get you going and help you determine what’s important. Again, I would recommend doing this step yourself before involving the kids.
Here are some questions to think about:
- What are our favorite things to do? What outings or activities recharge us? How can we do more of those things this summer?
- Is there a skill or subject we want to learn? What do we need to get started? (This helps children learn how to execute their ideas.)
- Is there something in our community that we haven’t experienced yet? Or an annual event that we can’t miss? Any party we want to organize?
- What are some easy (inexpensive) activities that get us thinking about summer?
- Are there any day trips we want to do?
From here, I narrowed the list down to those that fit our current family priorities. Then, I take this list to my kids and get their ideas and suggestions.
Now that you have a list of some things you would like to do, research some new experiences. Here are some places to start generating ideas for community events and activities:
- What festivals or events does your city host that you haven’t attended before?
- Are there free or low-cost classes or events at your library, recreation or community center?
- Are there any new playgrounds you would like to try?
- Do you want to see the fireworks on the 4th of July?
- Is there a water park or amusement park nearby that you can take a day trip to?
- Are there any great outdoor activities nearby that you would like to try?
3. Think about summer routines
Now that you have your list of fun ideas, it’s time to come up with a schedule. Even though it’s summer and we think free time is great, it turns out we’re actually craving some structure. Studies show that routines increase a child’s sense of independence and control. It also reduces parental hassle and creates better behavior (everyone wins!). This is one of the main reasons we make summer bucket lists.
I like to create a somewhat relaxed schedule for the summer. Then I’ll have a general idea of when we can go out and do things. It’s good to have some routine… but it’s good to be flexible because you never know when the desire to make homemade ice cream will arise on a hot summer day.
Think about new routines and set some visual reminders. Here are some ideas to incorporate:
The above will definitely vary depending on the ages you have in the house.
4. Include any specific events on the calendar
I don’t like to schedule many of my wish list items (there has to be some spontaneity!). But there are some things I don’t want to miss, like the parade or fireworks, Christmas barbecues with friends, and s’mores nights with backyard bonfires.
Some people work better with more concrete plans. If that’s you, use your summer routine as a foundation and add any fun and educational summer bucket list ideas to your calendar. Or if you want to be more flexible, create a list of your items (or a nice poster in Canva) and print it out, post it near your calendar, and when you have free time (or the kids are bored), pick one up. activities to do!
Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families
If you’re looking for inspiration for your own list, here are some of our favorite ideas. The best part? Most of them are free or very low cost. Some ideas are wasteful activities. Choose a few of these activities or use them as a starting point to create your own.
If your family is competitive, check out this adventure point system to use with your summer bucket list. It keeps kids motivated to try new things on their own.
90 Ideas for the Ultimate Summer Bucket List
- Walk a new path. Check out apps like All trails to find great kid-friendly places near you.
- Create your own treasure hunt. Or visit Groupon to find other cheap ones in your city.
- Try a new food at your local farmers market.
- Visit a nearby nature center and learn about plants and animals.
- Hang out in the tree house. If you don’t have one, add building a treehouse to your list.
- Check out nearby state parks you’ve never visited.
- Build a sandcastle with your whole family (and enter a sandcastle contest if you can find one!).
- Host a greener version of a water balloon fight in your backyard (use sponges, not balloons, to avoid choking hazards and plastic waste).
- Go to a matinee or drive-in movie. Some theaters offer cheap movies on weekdays, when there are also fewer people.
- Pre-prepare a bunch of frozen meals for friends who are expecting babies.
- Put bubble solution in a kiddie pool and use a hula hoop to create giant bubbles!
- Make a lemonade stand.
- Catch fireflies. (Although, unfortunately, you can’t see them on each state now.)
- Make popsicles with fruits and chia seeds.
- Host a luau for neighbors and friends.
- A projector + exterior wall = outdoor movie!
- Teach kids how to make homemade ice cream (handy when the ice cream truck passes by).
- Have a picnic at a local park.
- Join the fairy garden trend.
- Look for local outdoor concerts (many of them are free).
- Stay up late and stargaze. Has stargazing with an app still? Game changer!
- Practice foraging for herbs and plants with a local expert.
- Collect shells on the beach.
- Do real food snow cones. (Look at this snow cone machine!)
- Go fishing and learn how to clean fish.
- Visit a local museum (sometimes they’re free or have special free days) to learn about the history of your city or neighborhood.
- Play frisbee.
- Play some old songs and have a dance party in the living room.
- Make a slip and slide in the backyard.
- Go to a sports game.
- Take a trip to a local pool or swimming hole.
- play wiffle ball in the backyard.
- Learn to make simple origami.
- Plan a road trip to somewhere you haven’t been.
- Finger paint outside.
- Draw with chalk.
- Have a puppet show.
- make necklaces with homemade clay beads.
- Make a birdhouse.
- And a house for bats.
- Visit the fire station and bring them homemade cookies.
- Make slime.
- Go to the zoo.
- Cool off in the hot weather by playing with the sprinklers.
- Visit a retirement or nursing home and make cards for the residents.
- Learn how to score points in a baseball game.
- Make a homemade beauty recipe and enjoy a spa night.
- Go to the lake and kayak or canoe.
- Ride a ferris wheel.
- Try a free children’s workshop at your local home improvement store.
- Have a game night and learn new card games.
- Enjoy the outdoors with backyard camping.
- Teach children to jump rope.
- do something healthy ice cream sandwiches.
- Take a nap! (Maybe in a hammock?)
- Fly a kite.
- Pack a pillow or blanket and stay up late on a summer night.
- Play Capture the Flag.
- Climb trees.
- Join the library’s summer reading club.
- Make paper airplanes and compete with them.
- Let the kids plan and cook dinner.
- Choose an empty wall in the garage and paint a family mural. (Or in the house for braver/artistic parents!)
- Play flashlight tag.
- Make root beer from scratch.
- Learn to knit or crochet.
- Try an online class from Udemy.com and learn a new skill (many are only $14.99).
- learn to walk a loose line.
- Find a creator space or attend a mini manufacturer fair.
- Go to a U-pick fruit farm and make homemade jam to freeze.
- Spend a quiet afternoon reading books.
- Go on a roller coaster!
- Watch the fireworks or attend the 4th of July parade.
- Take the whole family for a bike ride.
- Take a boat ride if you live near a lake.
- Practice random acts of kindness for people in your community.
- Try a new smoothie recipe for a refreshing midday snack.
- Build a fire in your fire pit and make s’mores and grilled sausages.
- Eat some frozen watermelon on a hot day.
- Learn to hula-hoop or do a cartwheel.
- Plant a garden and get the kids to help you! It’s a great way to sunbathe and play in the dirt.
- Visit a local splash pad on a hot summer day.
- Go paddle boarding on a lake or reservoir.
- Explore nature and gather elements to make a nature collage.
- Have fun playing in the rain!
- Plan a block party with your neighbors.
- Make homemade marshmallows for s’mores.
- Make a list of playgrounds you want to try and visit all of them.
- Invite some new friends over for a barbecue.
- Learn how to make friendship bracelets and exchange them with your friends.
The main thing: have fun!
Making a summer bucket list is a fun way to plan new experiences and try to avoid boredom. It is also a good time to create new family memories.
The important thing is to see it as a family inspiration and not as a “to-do” list. Even if we don’t get to everything on our wish list, it reminds us to spend quality time together and try new things, whether we’re on adventures or at home.
Do you create a summer wish list? What do you like to do most in summer?