Searching for summer bucket list ideas?
Whether you’re dreaming of beach picnics, trying new hobbies, or making unforgettable memories, this curated list of 101 summer bucket list ideas has you covered.
Summer is the perfect time to embrace adventure, soak up the sunshine, and do all those things you’ve been dreaming of during the colder months.
From watching the sunrise to planning an epic end-of-summer party, these ideas are here to inspire your most exciting summer yet.
What is a Summer Bucket List
A summer bucket list is essentially a list of activities that you would like to do in the summer.
Just like writing down a goal, creating a bucket list can help you visualize your plans and motivate you to follow through with the things you’ve been wanting to do.
It’s also a great solution for those “What should I do today?” moments. Instead of feeling stuck, you’ll have a ready-made guide filled with fun and fulfilling activities to choose from.
Whether you’re enjoying a summer break from school or balancing a full-time job and looking to add some adventure to your weekends, a summer bucket list is the perfect way to make the most of those warm, sunny days.
Summer Bucket List
1. Have a summer picnic
Grab a cute blanket, pack your favorite snacks and head to a park or the beach for a cute summer picnic.
RELATED: 25 Cute Picnic Ideas to Elevate Your Outdoor Experience
2. Go stargazing
If you live in a city and don’t have the opportunity to see stars at night. Go on A road trip to a rural/country area and add stargazing to your list of activities.
3. Spend a day at the beach
A Summer bucket list without a beach day? No way.
Load up on sunscreen and spend a day soaking up the sun, building sandcastles, and just lounging by the water.
Don’t forget to collect seashells or take a walk along the shore for the ultimate beach vibe.
RELATED: 15 Fun Things to do at the Beach
4. Take sunset pictures
Sunsets hit differently in the summer.
Find a scenic spot, maybe a hill or the beach, and capture those golden hour vibes.
Not only are sunsets breathtaking, but they also make for the best photo ops; perfect for capturing summer memories.
5. Visit a zoo
Spend the day exploring a local zoo and learning about some wild animals.
Don’t forget to bring a cute tote with snacks and water to keep you full and hydrated throughout the day.
6. Get a mani pedi
If you love getting your nails done, add a themed summer manicure to your list of summer activities.
From bright colorful tones to flower designs, this is a fun way to highlight the boldness and fun of the summer season on your nails.
7. Go out for brunch with friends
From pancakes to mimosas, dress up and go out to brunch with your besties.
8. Make tie dye clothing
From t-shirts to socks and hoodies, get your hands messy with some DIY tie dye.
9. Have an at home movie night party
Transform your living room, bedroom, (or backyard!) into a mini theater.
Grab popcorn, candy, and blankets, and host a fun movie night party.
10. Take a pottery class
Channel your inner artist and try out a pottery class.
Whether you’re making a cute mug, a bowl, or just having fun with the process; this is such a unique and memorable activity that results in a cute keepsake.
11. Create a summer playlist
Curate a fun summer playlist filled with your fave upbeat jams, chill beats, and nostalgic tracks.
RELATED: Summer Vibes Playlist for all the Summer Feels
12. Go to a water park
Slip down giant slides, chill in the lazy river, or race your friends on the water rides at a water park.
It’s the perfect way to beat the heat and unleash your inner child.
13. Try a water sport
From kayaking to paddle boarding, go on a water adventure and try out a water sport.
14. Make s’mores
Grab some marshmallows, roast them over a fire, and make some yummy s’mores.
15. Go on a hike
Lace up your sneakers and go on a scenic hike.
16. Have a game night
Bring out the board games and the DIY games and have a fun game night.
17. Watch a movie at a drive-in theater
If you have a drive-in movie theater near you, summertime is the perfect opportunity to go and watch an outdoor movie.
18. Have a pool party
Bring out the pool floaties and snacks, and host a fun pool party.
RELATED: 37 Fantastic Pool Party Ideas for the Ultimate Summer Party
19. Go bowling
There’s something super nostalgic and classic about bowling.
20. Go go-kart racing
Channel your inner speed racer and go go-kart racing for some adrenaline pumping fun.
Summer Bucket List Ideas
21. Visit an amusement park
Spend the day riding roller coasters and cute attractions at an amusement park.
RELATED: 18 Disney Outfits Inspired by Disney Characters
22. Go on a bike ride
Whether it’s through a park, your city, or even the beach, go on a scenic bike ride.
23. Try food from a food truck
Switch up your usual dining routine and grab a bite from a local food truck.
24. Eat at a fancy restaurant for dinner
Dress up and treat yourself to a night of delicious food and a little bit of boujee vibes, and go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.
25. Have a slumber party
Invite your besties to come over in some pajamas or lounge wear and have a cozy slumber party.
RELATED: Creative Pajama Party Ideas and Themes for an Epic Girls Night
26. Make tasty summer desserts
From strawberry shortcakes to milkshakes, recreate a summer dessert recipe.
RELATED: 20 Sweet Summer Desserts to Make This Season
27. Go to a fair
Go to a summer fair and enjoy the rides, along with classic fair foods like funnel cake and fried Oreos.
28. Have an all-nighter movie marathon
Challenge yourself to stay up with an all-nighter movie marathon. You can even team up with your friends for double the fun!
29. Go fishing
Whether you’re an expert or a total beginner, fishing is a fun way to unplug and enjoy nature. Just spend the day relaxing by the water, soaking up the sun and trying to reel in a big or little catch.
30. Incorporate daily workouts into your routine
Stay active this summer and incorporate some fun workouts into your daily schedule.
Whether it’s a morning walk, dance workout, or hitting up the gym it’s a great way to get energized and stay active.
RELATED: Fun Ways to Exercise and get Active
31. Make homemade pizza
Bring out the flour and yeast and try making pizza from scratch. Or, if you want a simpler approach, use premade pizza dough, add sauce and toppings, and you’ll still get that “homemade” feel.
32. Eat breakfast for dinner
Switch things up and treat yourself to a cozy breakfast-for-dinner night with all your favorite morning foods.
33. Have an end of summer party
Say goodbye to summer with one last big celebration! From an end of summer BBQ to a carnival themed party, host an end of summer party.
34. Watch a movie at a movie theater
So many movies come out during the summertime, so head to the theater and watch the latest blockbuster.
35. Buy yourself flowers
If you love flowers, buy yourself some. You can visit your local grocery store and find some beautiful bouquets at a great price.
36. Have an intentional at home spa night
Pamper yourself with a relaxing spa night filled with facemasks, an everything shower, and some refreshing snacks.
RELATED: How to Have a Luxurious At-Home Spa Day
37. Watch the rain
If you’re like me and love the earthy smell of rain, cozy up next to a window or even sit on a patio and watch the rain pour outside.
38. Read a new book
If you’ve been wanting to dive into a good book, summer is the perfect time to start. For extra motivation, start a book club with your friends to keep each other on track and have fun discussions.
39. Volunteer in your community
From doing a beach cleanup to volunteering at your local library or animal shelter, find some ways to volunteer in your community.
40. Sleep in and have a late start to your day
Forget setting an alarm, and sleep in and have a late start to your day.
Fun Summer Bucket List Ideas
41. Have a paint and sip party
Grab some paint, paint brushes, canvases, and snacks and have a paint and sip party with friends.
RELATED: Creative Paint and Sip Party Ideas
42. Make a delicious summer drink
From strawberry lemonade to delicious smoothies, find some summer drink recipes and try recreating them yourself.
43. Go on a weekend trip
You don’t have to book an entire week for a trip. Take a short weekend getaway and fill it with lots of activities for a jam-packed experience.
44. Visit a berry farm
Summer is peak berry season, so take advantage of this time by visiting a berry farm and picking some fresh fruit.
45. Make jam
If you’ve never made jam from scratch before, it’s super easy! Plus, this is a great way to take advantage of seasonal berries.
46. Have an ice cream party
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Host an ice cream party that can be as simple as inviting your friends over to enjoy ice cream together. Or you can go all out by decorating your space and setting up an ice cream station with various toppings.
47. Collect seashells at the beach
No matter how many times I go to the beach, one of my absolute favorite things to do is collect seashells. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a cute souvenir that I love bringing home to decorate my space.
48. Ride a carousel
There’s something so nostalgic about riding a carousel, especially as a child. So unleash your inner child and ride a carousel at a summer fair or an amusement park.
49. Plant flowers
Plant some flowers this summer! It can be anything from herbs like basil and parsley to cute flowers or even fruits and veggies.
50. Learn a new skill
Learn a new skill, whether it’s cooking or editing videos for YouTube or TikTok. Take a moment to think about what you’ve always wanted to try, and use YouTube University or other free online resources to learn how to do it.
51. Video record and vlog the entire day
Another fun summer bucket list idea is recording and vlogging your entire day. At the end, you can edit the footage into a cute video and even upload it to YouTube if you want to share it with the world. This is a great way to capture fun memories, especially if you’re doing a summer activity you’d like to document. You can also record your morning routine or create a “day in the life” style video.
52. Go golfing
Whether you’re aiming for a hole-in-one or just playing for fun, go golfing. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and enjoy a laid-back game.
53. Watch fireworks
With Fourth of July in the summer, add watching fireworks to your summer bucket list.
54. Go on a boat ride
Set sail this summer and go on a boat ride.
55. Try a new restaurant
I don’t know about you, but I love trying new restaurants to discover new dishes and experience new flavors.
56. Go to an arcade
Go to an arcade and play some fun video games. If you’re a competitive person with your eyes set on a specific prize, go ahead and work hard to win as many tickets as possible. However, if you’re like me and just going for the vibes and a fun time, you’ll probably be okay with winning a small little prize. Either way, it’s a great way to burn some energy and enjoy some fun games.
57. Get slushies at a gas station
From cherry to raspberry and Coca-Cola, grab a slushie at a gas station (It’s even better when you do it with friends).
58. Visit a farmers market
Farmers markets are a great way to support local businesses, while enjoying fresh in season fruits and veggies.
59. Go bowling
Put on your bowling shoes and try to score a strike or two, at the bowling alley.
60. Create a summer capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a great way to embrace a more minimalist style. You invest in a few key pieces and mix and match them to create different outfits throughout the summer.
Summer Bucket List 2025
61. Deep clean your space
While spring cleaning gets a lot of attention, summertime is also a great time to deep clean your space. From decluttering and organizing your closet to decluttering her phone, take some time to clean and rejuvenate your space.
62. Go camping
Bring out the tents and challenge yourself to a camping night. You can roast marshmallows, eat hot dogs, sing songs, and enjoy all the classic camping activities.
63. Eat barbecue
From barbecue ribs to grilled chicken, eat some barbecue this summer.
64. Read a book outside
Pick up a good fiction book, get lost in the story, and enjoy reading it outside.
65. Go for a run
Put on your running shoes and go for a run.
66. Watch the sunrise
Wake up early and watch the sun rise in a nice scenic spot.
67. Try out a new recipe
If you’re looking to get creative and try something new, experiment with a new recipe and discover some delicious new flavors.
68. Call and hang out with a family member
Call and plan a hangout with a family member. I know for myself, I spend so much time with friends that I sometimes forget to make time for family. Whether it’s your grandma, aunt, niece, or dad, reach out and spend some quality time together. You can go out to eat at a restaurant, take a walk in the park, or even hit the gym together.
69. Spend the afternoon at the beach
Spend a late afternoon at the beach so you can catch the sunset and take in the beautiful view.
70. Go for an early morning drive
There’s something so dreamy about the crisp morning air. It’s a mix of humidity, condensation, and coolness. If you’re like me and love those elements, consider going on an early morning drive. Turn down the windows and simply enjoy the quietness of the morning and the dewyness of the air.
71. Start a new hobby
From reading to painting, Summer is a great time to start a new hobby.
72. Get a summer themed manicure
Get into the summer season with a bold and bright summer themed manicure. It’s the perfect way to add a fun and seasonal touch to your look.
73. Visit a museum
If you love learning and exploring different attractions, visit a museum. From art to science and history, I love museums because there are so many different types to choose from.
74. Have a summer photoshoot
Have a summer photoshoot to capture memories of the season. It’s even better if you take your photos outside or while doing a fun summer activity, like being at the pool or a visit to a summer fair.
75. Have a phone free day
If you’re looking to reduce your screen time, challenge yourself to a phone-free day. You might be surprised by how much you get done, and it’s a great way to get creative and find activities to do instead of being on your phone.
76. Have a costume party
77. Go parasailing
78. Visit a vineyard
79. Have a BBQ party with friends
80. Make a milkshake
81. Create a shared summer playlist with friends
82. Journal everyday and document your day
83. Paint something (ex: canvases, tote bags, furniture, bedroom walls, etc.)
Fun Things to do in the Summer
84. Go thrifting
85. Make sorbet out of frozen fruits
86. Go on a solo date
87. Go for a morning swim
88. Complete random acts of kindness
89. Have a play date for your dog
90. Have a cupcake decorating party
91. Sit outside and paint canvases
92. Complete a jigsaw puzzle
93. Watch the sunset at the beach
94. Have a themed meal week
- Meatless Monday
- Taco Tuesday
- Waffle Wednesday
- Thai Thursday
- Fried chicken Friday
- Sushi Saturday
- Salad Sunday
95. Make a summer memories time capsule
96. Read a book with friends
97. Have a water balloon fight
98. Take pictures with a disposable camera
99. Karaoke with friends
100. Get a summer job
101. Have a picnic at the beach
How to Make a Summer Bucket List
Creating a personalized summer bucket list is super simple and adds excitement to your summer. Here’s how to make a summer bucket list:
1. Think Big: Brainstorm some fun activities and places that you’re wanting to experience. For example, restaurants, attractions, volunteer opportunities, etc.
2. Mix It Up: Include solo activities, group adventures, and self-care moments.
3. Set a Timeline: Decide what “summer” means for you. Does it end when school starts or with the official start of fall?
4. Check Your Budget: Plan activities within your financial comfort zone to keep things stress-free.
5. Stay Flexible: Remember, it’s okay to adjust your list as the summer unfolds.
