200 fun summer bucket list ideas for kids and teens
From outdoor fun to rainy-day projects, this giant list of summer bucket list ideas is packed with creative, screen-free ways to make lasting memories. We’ve sorted the ideas into helpful categories so you can find the right fit for your family, your budget, and your schedule.
Outdoor adventures
1. Go geocaching – It’s like a real-world treasure hunt using a smartphone.
2. Camp in the backyard – Pitch a tent, grab flashlights, and tell spooky stories.
3. Take a night walk – Use glow sticks and try stargazing.
4. Make s’mores by the fire – Classic and delicious. Always a hit.
5. Visit a local farm – Bonus points if you pick berries or veggies.
6. Plan a beach day – Pack snacks, sunscreen, and sandcastle supplies.
7. Go on a waterfall hike – Find trails with water features nearby.
8. Build a tree swing – Or make it a summer project together.
9. Create a nature scavenger hunt – Pinecones, feathers, colorful leaves — go!
10. Watch the sunrise – Set alarms and bring hot cocoa.
Water activities
11. Run through sprinklers – Sometimes the simplest things bring the biggest smiles.
12. Visit a splash pad – Great for younger kids on hot days.
13. Try paddleboarding – Many parks offer rentals.
14. Host a backyard water balloon fight – Invite the neighborhood.
15. Make sponge bombs – An eco-friendly alternative to balloons.
16. Have a water gun obstacle course – Think backyard ninja warrior with soakers.
17. Build a DIY slip n’ slide – A tarp, hose, and baby shampoo = endless laughs.
18. Plan a pool day with themed snacks – Like beach ball cake pops or “ocean water” punch.
19. Go river tubing – Research safe spots and age guidelines.
20. Try kayaking or canoeing – Make it a half-day adventure.
Creative crafts and DIY projects
21. Tie-dye T-shirts – Or try socks, scrunchies, or even tote bags.
22. Make your own birdhouse – Use recycled materials if you have them.
23. Build a fairy garden – Great for little ones who love imaginative play.
24. Paint kindness rocks – Leave them around the neighborhood.
25. Create a time capsule – Open it next summer!
26. DIY sidewalk chalk – Get creative with molds and colors.
27. Make homemade popsicles – Experiment with juice, yogurt, or fruit blends.
28. Decorate reusable water bottles – Use stickers or paint markers.
29. Build a LEGO city – Or recreate a local landmark.
30. Start a scrapbook – Fill it with summer photos, tickets, and doodles.
At-home fun
31. Host a themed movie night – Think “Campout Cinema” or “Superhero Saturday.”
32. Plan a family talent show – Costumes and all.
33. Have a yes day – With some ground rules, of course!
34. Make a fort out of blankets – Bonus if it has snacks inside.
35. Do a puzzle challenge – Time how long it takes to finish.
36. Create a new board game – Let kids invent rules, prizes, and characters.
37. Host a backyard Olympics – Think sack races, tug-of-war, and mini medals.
38. Make a summer playlist together – Play it on repeat all season.
39. Set up a DIY photo booth – Use props and backdrops for silly photos.
40. Camp out in the living room – No bugs, just vibes.
Budget-friendly or free ideas
41. Go to your local library’s summer programs – Many include storytime, crafts, or performers.
Be a financially smart family!
42. Visit a farmers market – Give kids a small budget for spending.
43. Do a park crawl – Try a new playground every week.
44. Start a family book club – Rotate who picks the book.
45. Volunteer together – Walk dogs, stock a food pantry, or join a cleanup.
46. Explore a new part of your town – Pretend that you’re tourists for the day.
47. Join a free museum day – Many cities offer these in the summer.
48. Create chalk art on your driveway – Include a message for passersby.
49. Host a toy or clothes swap with friends – Refresh without spending.
50. Have a picnic under the stars – Don’t forget bug spray!
With friends
51. Host a neighborhood popsicle party – Everyone brings a flavor to share.
52. Organize a backyard movie night – Set up a projector and hand out popcorn.
53. Plan a costume day – Dress up and head out for ice cream or take silly photos.
54. Have a group bike parade – Decorate bikes with streamers and music.
55. Start a summer pen pal club – Write letters or trade drawings with friends.
56. Make friendship bracelets – A classic craft with a personal touch.
57. Have a lemonade stand for charity – Teach entrepreneurship and giving back.
58. Plan a game night tournament – Rotate board games or card games.
59. Create a friend photo journal – Document all your summer hangouts.
60. Throw a mini field day – Three-legged races, water relays, and bubble stations.
Travel-worthy experiences
61. Visit a state park you’ve never been to – Hike, picnic, or take a scenic drive.
62. Take a train ride just for fun – Bonus if it has a scenic view.
63. Explore a local cave or cavern – Cool temps and exciting formations await.
64. Plan a day trip to a quirky roadside attraction – Think giant statues or funky museums.
65. Go to a drive-in movie theater – Old-school fun with modern snacks.
66. Tour a historical site – Add a fun scavenger hunt to make it interactive.
67. Stay in a cabin or yurt – Mix it up from the usual camping trip.
68. Take a boat tour – Whether it’s a lake, river, or bay.
69. Visit a wildlife rescue center – Many offer kid-friendly tours.
70. Try a city scavenger hunt app – Turn sightseeing into an adventure game.
Rainy day activities
71. Have a pajama-and-pancake day – Start with breakfast, then let the lounging begin.
72. Create your own comic book – Plot, draw, and color your characters.
73. Make a stop-motion animation – Use toys or clay for DIY movie magic.
74. Build a marble run out of cardboard – Challenge kids to add loops and twists.
75. Try out a new recipe from another culture – Learn geography and cooking in one.
76. Do a blindfolded drawing contest – Hilarious and low-mess fun.
77. Create a no-bake dessert together – Whip up something sweet like cereal bars or chocolate-dipped fruit — no oven required.
78. Set up an indoor mini golf course – Use books, cups, and pool noodles.
79. Have a dance party in the kitchen – Let each person DJ for 10 minutes.
80. Make paper airplanes and test them – Keep track of which one flies the farthest.
Teen-focused ideas
81. Plan a sunrise hike with friends – Early wake-up, epic views.
82. Start a summer vlog or YouTube channel – Film everyday adventures and edits.
83. Try a new job or internship – Great way to earn and learn.
84. Decorate your room with a DIY makeover – Budget-friendly, of course.
85. Create a vision board – Focus on goals for school, career, or hobbies.
86. Host a DIY photoshoot – Find creative backdrops and themes.
87. Take a social media break challenge – See how long you can go!
88. Learn a new skill (like juggling or card tricks) – Show off at your next hangout.
89. Try out a local food truck or restaurant each week – Make it a foodie tour.
90. Write a letter to your future self – Open it next summer.
Just for fun
91. Freeze toys in ice and chisel them out – Great sensory activity for all ages.
92. Make a backyard obstacle course – Add time challenges to ramp up the fun.
93. Create your own snow cones – Use ice, juice, and flavored syrups.
94. Host a family karaoke night – Costumes optional, enthusiasm mandatory.
95. Try “extreme” hide and seek – Set boundaries and add fun hiding spots.
96. Make edible slime – Yep, it’s a thing. Start with marshmallows or gummy bears!
97. Have a silly socks day – Stripes, pom-poms, mismatched — all welcome.
98. Turn your backyard into a cardboard city – Boxes = buildings. With imagination, the possibilities are endless.
99. Do a backwards day – Start with dessert, wear clothes inside-out, eat dinner for breakfast.
100. Try painting with bubbles – Add food coloring to bubbles for colorful creations.
Active and sporty
101. Try disc golf – Many parks have free courses.
102. Learn how to skateboard or rollerblade – Bonus if there’s a local skate park.
103. Do a daily yoga challenge – Stretch and breathe through summer stress.
104. Create a summer workout playlist – And move your body to it.
105. Play flashlight tag at night – Bring snacks and set a boundary zone.
106. Try pickleball or tennis at a local court – Great intro sports for kids and teens.
107. Do a jump rope routine – Teach it to someone else!
108. Go rock climbing (indoors or outdoors) – Many spots have beginner walls.
109. Try slacklining in the backyard – It’s like a balance beam, but trickier.
110. Have a hula hoop contest – Winner gets to choose dinner!
Educational and skill-building
111. Take a free online course (coding, writing, photography, etc.) – Learn something new.
112. Start a summer blog or journal – Document fun memories and ideas.
113. Visit a science museum – Try hands-on exhibits and planetariums.
114. Enter a local art or writing contest – Look for community center listings.
115. Build a Rube Goldberg machine – Chain reactions = maximum fun and learning.
116. Grow a vegetable garden – Track growth and taste the results.
117. Learn to play a new instrument – Even if it’s just a few songs.
118. Start a mini business (like dog-walking or lawn care) – Great intro to entrepreneurship.
119. Cook dinner once a week – Let kids pick the recipe and lead.
120. Do a DIY science experiment – Think baking soda volcano or homemade lava lamp.
Memory-making and traditions
121. Take a family selfie in the same spot weekly – Make a flipbook at summer’s end.
122. Write postcards to family and friends – Even if you’re not traveling.
123. Start a summer playlist tradition – Add to it each year.
124. Make a memory jar – Add one slip per fun thing you do.
125. Create a family summer anthem – Play it every road trip.
126. Do a “one second every day” video – Stitch together summer highlights.
127. Create an end-of-summer slideshow – Watch it on the last day before school.
128. Make a list of your top 10 favorite summer moments – Reflect and celebrate.
129. Do a summer photo scavenger hunt – Silly, themed, or memory-based.
130. Design your own summer awards – Best Splash, Funniest Joke, MVP of Fun.
Weekend projects
131. Build a DIY bird feeder – Use peanut butter, pinecones, and seeds.
132. Start a mini herb garden – Even a sunny windowsill will work.
133. Paint and decorate flower pots – Give them as gifts or use at home.
134. Repurpose old T-shirts into tote bags – No sewing required!
135. Make a backyard weather station – Track rain, clouds, and temperature.
136. Build a bug hotel – Create a habitat using twigs, bark, and leaves.
137. Paint a mural on a fence or wall – With permission, of course!
138. Create a DIY wind chime – Use shells, bottle caps, or beads.
139. Build a mini bookshelf for free little library books – Community + creativity.
140. Design your own welcome mat – Use stencils and outdoor paint.
Cultural and creative exploration
141. Learn a dance from another country – YouTube is your best friend here.
142. Cook a dish from a different culture each week – Passport optional, tastebuds ready.
143. Celebrate a holiday from another country – Like Bastille Day or Obon Festival.
144. Explore a new language app together – Try learning greetings or songs.
145. Watch international kids’ movies (with subtitles!) – Try Studio Ghibli or classic French animations.
146. Make a travel dream board – Cut out pics of places you want to visit someday.
147. Interview a family member about their childhood summers – Capture their stories.
148. Read a folktale or legend from another culture – Then act it out!
149. Try international candy taste testing – Hit up a world market.
150. Listen to music from around the world – Build a playlist by continent.
Bonding with family
151. Have a screen-free day together – Go analog with board games and outdoor fun.
152. Create a signature family handshake – Bonus points if it’s elaborate.
153. Take turns being “summer boss” for the day – Let each person choose the activities.
154. Write a family summer bucket list together – Everyone adds three ideas.
155. Make a family cookbook – Collect favorite recipes and memories.
156. Volunteer as a family – Pack lunches, clean up trails, or read to younger kids.
157. Start a compliment jar – Each day, write something kind about a family member.
158. Plan a themed dinner night – Costumes encouraged!
159. Host a family “TED Talk” night – Let each person present a topic they love.
160. Do a DIY spa day at home – Face masks, cucumber water, and good vibes only.
Summer celebrations and traditions
161. Celebrate the halfway point of summer – Make a cake or host a mini bash.
162. Plan a water-themed birthday party (even if it’s not your birthday!) – Slip ‘n slides and sponge tag, here we come.
163. Host an ice cream sundae bar night – Everyone picks their toppings.
164. Celebrate a made-up holiday – National Bubble Wrap Day? Sure, why not.
165. Throw a “Goodbye, Summer” party – Write cards to summer memories.
166. Make a summer-themed piñata – Like a sun, beach ball, or watermelon.
167. Set up a photo booth at each summer event – Print out a mini album at the end.
168. Create a summer signature drink – Lemonade + strawberry + mint? Your call.
169. Host a backyard camping “reunion” for friends or cousins – Once more before fall!
170. Watch a summer-themed movie marathon – Think The Sandlot, Lilo & Stitch, and High School Musical 2.
Mindful and relaxing activities
171. Practice cloud watching – What shapes do you see?
172. Start a gratitude journal – List three good things each day.
173. Try a guided meditation app – There are great ones for kids and teens.
174. Make your own aromatherapy spray – Use calming scents like lavender.
175. Create a Zen garden with sand and rocks – It’s oddly soothing.
176. Listen to an audiobook together – On a road trip or lazy afternoon.
177. Paint or color with calming music in the background – Art + ambiance.
178. Write poetry outside – Haikus, rhymes, or whatever comes to mind.
179. Build a hammock fort – The ultimate summer nap spot.
180. Pick a quiet spot and do nothing for 10 minutes – Call it “doing everything.”
For older kids and teens
181. Run your own summer pop-up (like babysitting or lawn mowing) – Set prices, make flyers.
182. Try buying and reselling clothes – Find secondhand pieces and revamp them.
183. Teach yourself a magic trick – Wow your friends.
184. Start a small garden business – Sell herbs, flowers, or veggies to neighbors.
185. Write a short story or zine – Bonus if you design the cover.
186. Host a mocktail mix-off – Taste test fruit + fizz creations.
187. Make a DIY skincare product (like sugar scrubs or bath bombs) – Spa vibes on a budget.
188. Test out digital design apps – Make summer graphics or logos.
189. Pick a cause and start a mini awareness campaign – Think social media + sidewalk chalk messages.
190. Create a playlist for your future self – Seal it in your time capsule!
Last hurrah ideas for summer’s end
191. Write a letter to your teacher for the coming year – Helps shift the mindset.
192. Make a “best of summer” video montage – Compile favorite clips and photos.
193. Count up your saved allowance or chore money – Decide how to use or save it.
194. Have a water balloon dodgeball game – End-of-summer tradition in the making.
195. Make a list of what you’re excited about for fall – Positivity = smoother transitions.
196. Create a “last week of summer” plan – Hit all your faves one last time.
197. Set back-to-school goals as a family – Not just academic — social and personal, too.
198. Host a sunset picnic on the last night of summer – Reflect on the fun.
199. Do a family vote for the “best” summer moment – Have a trophy ready!
200. Host a “summer send-off” toast – Raise a glass of lemonade or sparkling juice and share one favorite memory from the season.
Tips for creating the perfect summer bucket list
Here are a few tips to help your family make the most of your summer bucket list:
Prioritize together. Let everyone add a few ideas, then highlight the top 10 musts as a family.
Include a mix. Blend big adventures with simple pleasures — and sprinkle in downtime!
Add seasonal fun. Include things that only make sense in summer: water play, outdoor movies, or catching fireflies.
Set timelines. Having a loose plan helps make sure the weeks don’t slip away.
Look for local events. Summer parades, community fairs, or drive-in movies are often low-cost and high-fun.
Budget for the fun. Set summer spending goals and help kids save up for things they really want to do.
Why create a summer bucket list?
Because memories don’t just make themselves. A summer bucket list gives your family something to look forward to, talk about, and experience together. It can teach kids to be intentional with their time (and their money!), all while making summer feel extra special.
Whether you’re sticking close to home or planning far-flung adventures, having a list makes it easier to say “yes” to fun. And really, that’s what summer should be all about.
Looking for even more summer ideas?
Here are a few that pair perfectly with your bucket list:
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