Who doesn’t love summer? Most kids wait the whole year for this special time when they feel free. Even adults look forward to this season and visit their favorite vacation spots. And what better way to make all your summer plans a reality than by starting with a summer bucket list?
Whether you aim to explore new destinations, indulge in thrilling adventures, or simply savor the joys of relaxation, a well-crafted bucket list can infuse your summer with excitement and purpose. So grab your pen and paper, and let’s embark on a journey to make this summer one for the books!
Summer Bucket List Ideas You Won’t Regret Doing
Trying new things is one of the best ways to make life more interesting. Summer is also one of the best times to travel smart and fly cheap since bad weather is less likely to hinder you.
However, creating a summer bucket list can be challenging, as it’s easy to run out of summer ideas. That’s where I come in. I present you with my bucket list, which you can use to inspire and help you plan anything from fun family outings to ridiculous and fun summer activities with your friends.
1. Have a Picnic in a Scenic Area
Spend precious time with your loved ones or friends in a local park or tourist spot. Relax while having a simple snack. You’ll surely enjoy sharing conversations and laughs without spending too much.
2. Go to a Farmer’s Market
Going to the farmer’s market is fun to explore fresh produce and shop locally. Support the farmers by buying their fruits and vegetables, which you can make into delicious recipes.
Bringing your family lets them have fun with kids’ activities and learn from educational displays. As you enjoy your fresh discoveries, you can also soak in the atmosphere of live music or cultural shows.
3. Attend a Food Festival
Summer is the best time to eat with all the food festivals around. Experience a world of flavors and excitement as you taste delicious treats from different cultures. Explore food trucks, try new dishes, and enjoy live music and entertainment. It’s the perfect way to make unforgettable memories with family and friends.
4. Host a Movie Night Outdoors
Ready the movie projector and popcorn. Invite your friends to your place and watch some of your favorite films in your yard. Trust me, it beats watching Netflix alone.
5. Host a Barbecue Party
Summer isn’t complete without attending or hosting a barbecue party. Gather your friends and family for a day of delicious food and great company. Don’t forget the refreshing drinks and tasty sides to complete the feast. With laughter, good food, and sunshine, your barbecue party will surely be a hit and create unforgettable summer memories.
6. Attend a Local Sports League
Watch a local sports league and go wild in the bleachers as you support your favorite team. Whether it’s the kids or teenagers playing, watching it live is more exciting than those sports matches on cable.
7. Take a Scenic Bike Ride
Visit your local trails with a couple of friends. Discover the less traveled path and witness the wonderful nature you don’t see daily.
8. Visit a Botanical Garden
Consider visiting a botanical garden to smell the scents of various flower species and witness some in full bloom. It’s a great opportunity to relax and walk a few hundred meters in a tranquil environment.
9. Host a Summer-Themed Book Club
Gather your friends for a summer-themed book club and dive into captivating stories under the warm sun! Select your favorite summer reads and enjoy lively discussions while basking in the sunshine. With refreshing drinks and snacks to keep you fueled, it’s the perfect way to combine relaxation with intellectual stimulation.
10. Visit an Aquarium or Zoo
Visit the nearest zoo or aquarium with your kids and family members. Discover fascinating facts about various animals worldwide and see what beautiful creatures we have on Earth.
11. Explore a City or Town You’ve Never Visited
Visit a nearby city or county that you’ve never been to. Go around some of their tourist spots and popular shops to discover something new. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs to remember the impromptu trip.
11. Go on a City Scavenger Hunt
Gather your friends for an exhilarating scavenger hunt adventure in a nearby city. Channel your inner adventurers as you embark on a downsized version of the “Amazing Race,” exploring various landmarks and hidden gems. Armed with clues and teamwork, race against the clock to complete challenges and uncover clues scattered throughout the city.
12. Attend a Cultural Festival
Deepen your appreciation for your local culture by attending a fair or festival. Learn about the town’s people’s heritage and appreciate its history.
13. Go Fishing in a Nearby Lake or River
There’s a saying, “Teach a man how to fish, and he will eat it for a lifetime.” Fishing is handy, especially if you often go outdoors near water. Adding fishing to our summer bucket list offers the opportunity to learn a new skill, bond with nature, and create unforgettable memories with friends and family as we reel in our catch of the day.
14. Visit a Beach and Collect Seashells
Visit a beach nearby and collect some souvenirs like seashells. Once you come home, you can turn them into accessories that hold the memory of your time at the beach.
15. Attend a Poetry Slam or Open Mic Night
Have some fun with your friends by listening to your local poets and comics. Most towns and cities will have a regular open mic night where you can discover new talent. Laugh or get inspired while getting a new perspective on life.
16. Go Stargazing in a Local Park
Embark on a celestial journey this summer by adding stargazing in a local park to your bucket list. Escape the city lights and immerse yourself in the natural wonder of the night sky. Gather your loved ones, spread out a blanket, and let the cosmos captivate you with its beauty and mystery. It’s an experience that promises to ignite your imagination and leave you with unforgettable memories under the stars.
17. Plant a Vegetable or a Flower Garden
Start your flower or vegetable garden in your backyard. Caring for the plants is so much fun; it makes you feel accomplished when the flowers bloom and the vegetables grow. Some of the plants you can try include tomatoes, basil, cucumber, hibiscus, and marigolds.
18. Take a Hiking Trip
Hike, spend a few hours on a mountain, and reconnect with nature as you detox from social media and the internet. Gather around the campfire at night while sharing stories with friends.
19. Learn to Surf
Learn how to surf and appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Try to find your balance on the surfboard and catch the perfect wave. Eat plenty of food after a tiring day at the sea. You will surely be hungry.
20. Attend a Music Festival
Attend a music festival to listen to great songs and sing along if you know the lyrics. Meet new people who share the same passion and taste in music as you do.
21. Take a Pottery or Art Class
Create pots and other household items from clay. It’s a fun and relaxing activity with your friends or family.
If you aren’t into pottery, you can express your creativity by taking various art classes, such as painting, sculpting, and embroidery.
22. Go Horseback Riding
Saddle up and hit the trails! Horseback riding is a great way to channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl. As they say in old Western movies, “Giddy up, partner!”
23. Attend an Outdoor Theater Performance
Watching a play or musical under the stars is pure magic. An outdoor theater performance lets you soak in some culture while basking in nature’s air conditioning.
24. Learn Dance Sport
Ditch the workout videos and learn to cut a rug in real life. Dance sports like salsa or zumba will have you twirling and sweating up a storm while having the time of your life.
25. Go Kayaking or Canoeing
Grab a paddle and explore the great outdoors from the water. Kayaking or canoeing lets you get close to wildlife while working those arm muscles, being out in nature, and having fun with your friends or family.
26. Take a Painting Class
Unleash your inner Van Gogh by signing up for an artsy class. A painting session promises a colorful way to capture summer’s vibrancy.
27. Go on a Sunset Cruise
All aboard for a scenic cruise at golden hour. A sunset sail pairs killer views with a cheesy couple’s photoshoot opportunity.
28. Visit a Vineyard and Taste Different Wines
Wine lovers rejoice. Vineyard visits allow you to swirl, sniff, and sip through various vintages while pretending to be a connoisseur.
If you’re up for an adventure, visit Mendoza, Argentina, for one of the best wines you’ve ever tasted. Last year, I visited three vineyards around Mendoza, which was a lot of fun. I can’t recommend it enough.
29. Try Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Think surfing but centered and serene. Stand-up paddle boarding builds core strength as you glide atop tranquil waters. Namaste on the lake.
30. Go Whitewater Rafting
Hold on tight for a wild whitewater adventure. Rafting promises adrenaline-pumping rapids and the chance to splash your pals playfully.
31. Enroll in a Cooking Class
Ditch takeout and whip up gourmet meals in the kitchen. An intro cooking course equips you with skills to properly sauté, braise, and impress dinner guests. It’s a great skill to learn and provides for a fun activity with your family or friends.
32. Visit a National Monument or Historic Site
Get your history fixed by visiting iconic monuments or sites in your area. These frozen-in-time landmarks offer a glimpse into the past.
33. Go Ziplining
Go ziplining over lush treetops or deep canyons for a real adrenaline rush. Just don’t look down if you’re scared of heights. Scream at the top of your lungs as you conquer your fears.
34. Take an Outdoor Yoga Class
Find your inner yogi during an outdoor yoga session. Breathe in the fresh air as your master warrior poses, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
35. Go on a Road Trip With Friends
Crank up the tunes and hit the open road. A classic road trip promises quirky roadside attractions, snack-filled pit stops, and bonding with your besties.
36. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Check off a bucket list dream by soaring overhead in a hot air balloon. The serene, birds-eye views make for an unforgettable sky-high adventure.
37. Go Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
Dive into the deep blue for an up-close look at marine life. Scuba or snorkeling gives you a window into the vibrant underwater world.
38. Participate in a Charity Walk or Run
Join a local fun run event and break a sweat. You can start with short distances so long as you get that blood pumping. Part of your registration fee also goes to a charitable cause.
39. Attend a Workshop or Seminar To Learn a New Skill
Expand your skill set by learning something new, whether it’s a skill you can use in everyday life or one that you can use to propel your career. You can even get these courses online.
40. Go on an Island-Hopping Tour
Explore multiple islands all in just one day with an island-hopping tour. Try various seafood dishes and tropical drinks. For that complete island life experience, why not stay at night and experience the cool sea breeze? Just be sure to book early for your summer travel.
41. Take a Martial Arts or Self-Defense Class
Learn dynamic self-defense moves and martial arts techniques that you need should the need to defend yourself arise. Learning martial arts improves your discipline and coachability, giving you a great workout.
42. Go on a Helicopter Tour
Fly above the sky, explore the skyscrapers, and witness the aerial view of your city. Get a bird’s eye view of a popular tourist spot in your area that will make you appreciate it from a different perspective.
43. Explore a Cave or Go Spelunking
Brave the dark passages of a nearby cave and discover hidden wonders. Marvel at stalactite and stalagmite formations that have existed for thousands of years.
44. Visit a Wildlife Reserve
Come face-to-face with magnificent creatures in their natural habitats in a wildlife reserve. If you visit an aquatic reserve, you can swim with exotic wildlife such as sea turtles.
45. Take a Gourmet Food in a State You’ve Never Been To
Awaken your taste buds on a delectable gourmet food tour showcasing a city’s culinary specialties. For example, Maine is known for its giant lobsters and other seafood.
46. Learn To Play a New Musical Instrument
Reignite your passion for music by playing a new musical instrument. Whether strumming a guitar or grooving to the beat of the drums, music is one of the best ways to express yourself.
47. Participate in a Sandcastle-Building Contest
Have fun making a fancy sandcastle that looks amazing in photos. You might even get a cool prize or be the envy of your friends.
48. Take a Mindfulness or Meditation Retreat
Disconnect from the stresses of daily life at a tranquil meditation retreat. Find your inner peace and clear your mind to see what’s important in your life.
49. Visit an Escape Room With Friends
Put your puzzle-solving skills and teamwork to the test as you escape a maze-like room before time runs out. It’s a great bonding experience where success lies in everyone chipping in their solutions and working together. I’ve done several escape rooms with friends, and we always had fun.
50. Attend a DIY Craft Workshop
Tap into your artistic side while crafting one-of-a-kind handmade projects that you can keep or give to someone special. Whether making candles, calligraphy, or book-binding, it’s fun to explore new skills or potential hobbies that you would like to pursue.
51. Try out a New Fitness Class or Activity
Challenge your body in an exciting new way by sampling an intense workout such as kickboxing, pilates, or obstacle course training. Meet new friends who also share your passion for fitness.
52. Learn To Make Homemade Ice Cream
Learn how to make delicious ice cream from basic ingredients to stay cool in the summer. Experiment with fun flavors like avocado, blueberry, and sweet corn.
Frequently Asked Questions – Summer Bucket List
How Do I Make a Summer Bucket List?
Create your summer bucket list by brainstorming activities, organizing them into categories, and setting realistic goals. Prioritize your favorite experiences and set deadlines for each. Stay flexible, share your list with others, and track your progress. At the end of the season, reflect on your achievements and enjoy the journey.
Why Make a Summer Bucket List?
Summer is one of the best times of the year to be outdoors and explore new places, especially summer destinations. It’s the best season to travel, try new things, and create lasting memories. Creating a bucket list motivates you as you look forward to accomplishing small goals such as having a beach body.
What Is the Most Common Thing To Do in Summer?
When people think of summer, a few things come into mind such as picnics, barbecues, music festivals, going on a road trip, and going to the beach. However, the most common thing that people associate with summer is travel. It’s the best time to visit a new place or go to a friend or relative’s place in the countryside.
Conclusion – Summer Bucket List
Summer is the best time to unwind and take a breather. Making a bucket list months before summer starts is one of the best ways to determine what you want to accomplish during that season. It gives you new goals and motivates you to work harder for them.
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Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Journalist
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Experience: Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform, and Spark Nomad, a travel platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.