100 Summer Bucket List Ideas + Free Printable (PDF & JPG)

Looking for something fun to do this summer? This summer bucket list has 100 ideas for beach days, outdoor adventures, local attractions, summer food, family activities, creative projects, and relaxing things to do.

These summer bucket list ideas include a variety of free, inexpensive and splurge-worthy ideas. Some make the most of the warm summer weather, while others offer opportunities to beat the heat.

Keep reading for the full list, and be sure to get the free summer checklist printable included at the bottom of the page.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Quick picks from the summer bucket list

Since this bucket list for summer has a hundred ideas, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you.

• My favorite outdoor activity: Go horseback riding on the beach
• My favorite family activity: Go on a scavenger hunt
• My favorite free activity: Watch a meteor shower
• My favorite nighttime activity: Go to an outdoor movie screening
• My favorite travel experience: Go on a scenic train ride

Jump to a specific section in the summer bucket list:

Outdoor activities | Entertainment & attractions | Food & drinks | Creative & relaxing activities | Social gatherings | Summer activities for kids

Outdoor summer activities

Enjoy the beautiful weather with one of the outdoor ideas for a summer bucket list below.

Day trips & adventures

These summer day trips give you the opportunity to have a mini-adventure without straying too far from home. They’re perfect if you only have a day to explore instead of a weekend.

1. Visit a historic downtown area. Find a guided tour of the nearest historic downtown area to learn more about it. Some larger historic downtowns like St. Augustine, Florida have walking tours, trolley tours and carriage tours.
2. Go berry picking at a farm. Depending on where you live, you can pick baskets of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries! Be sure to check online to see when the berries are available.
3. Go camping under the stars. You can cook over an open fire with this list of campfire recipes. If you end up getting rained out, you can still have fun camping indoors.
4. Take a road trip. Grab your map, snacks and road trip playlist and get ready to hit the road. If you’re bringing your pets along, make sure to check out these tips for road trips with dogs.
5. Go to wine tasting. In addition to wine tastings, see if the winery you’re visiting has vineyard tours where you can learn more about the wines they offer.
6. Visit a roadside attraction. There’s a wide variety of attractions including statues (like the world’s largest pistachio in New Mexico) and interactive stops (like The Mystery Spot in California).
7. Go on a scenic train ride. See if you can find a scenic train ride near you to enjoy the sights without having to drive.
8. Go on a hot air balloon ride. Hot air balloon rides can sometimes be cancelled due to bad weather, so it’s a good idea to have flexibility with your dates when you book one.

Beach activities

Head to the beach to try these summer bucket list ideas, which include energetic activities like surfing and relaxing moments like enjoying a beach bonfire.

9. Have a beach bonfire. While not every beach allows bonfires, some areas have free fire pits on the beach for public use. Check to see the rules of your local beach.
10. Go on a whale watching cruise. Depending on where you take the cruise you may also be able to spot other animals like dolphins, seals, sea lions, manatees and sea turtles.
11. Collect seashells. Once you’ve collected your seashells you can turn them into creative craft projects like this seashell windchime or these trinket trays. 
12. Go surfing. If you’re a beginner, consider taking surf lessons to learn how to catch some waves. If that seems too daunting, try boogie boards and body surfing instead.
13. Go horseback riding on the beach. Not all beaches offer horseback riding, so spots can be limited. Be sure to book your ride in advance.
14. Go snorkeling. Put on your goggles and snorkel and have a contest to see how many different varieties of fish you can spot in the water!
15. Swim in the ocean. Be sure to check your local water quality report to make sure the water is safe for swimming.
16. Play beach volleyball. Many beaches have nets that you can reserve for a small hourly fee, and some are free on a first come, first served basis (e.g. Santa Monica, CA).
17. Tour a lighthouse. Keep track of all your lighthouse visits in a lighthouse passport from the United States Lighthouse Society.

Water-based activities

You don’t have to take a trip to the beach to enjoy the water. These summer bucket list ideas are perfect for pools, lakes and your own front yard.

18. Go tubing on a river. Make sure to choose a spot with a beautiful view like The Virgin River, right outside Zion National Park.
19. Run through sprinklers. Enjoy the water in your own yard by setting up a 360° water sprinkler for the kids.
20. Go paddle boarding. Traditional paddle boards take up a lot of space, but you can get an inflatable paddle board that compresses when you’re not using it.
21. Hike to a waterfall. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear for the hike, and check out these other waterfall safety tips for hikers before heading out.
22. Have a water balloon fight. Skip the mess and waste of broken water balloons by using reusable water balls! Just soak them in water and they’re ready to use.
23. Go fishing. Check your state’s fishing regulations since many states require fishing licenses and have limits on how many fish you can catch and keep.
24. Go kayaking or canoeing. Bring your kayak or canoe to the lake and enjoy a peaceful paddle through nature. Allow yourself to unplug and relax in nature.
25. Go white water rafting. If you’ve never been white water rafting before, be sure to read these white water rafting tips for beginners.

Sports & movement

Summer is the perfect time to get sporty. Try one of the ideas below to get in some movement this season.

26. Play pickleball. If you’re new to pickleball, check out these pickleball tips for beginners.
27. Join a kickball league. Try checking Facebook and Google to see if there are any local kickball leagues you can join for the season.
28. Play a round of golf. There’s golf for every experience level: local golf courses for seasoned players, TopGolf for a social and low-pressure golf experience, and mini golf for the kids.
29. Play frisbee at the park. Have fun playing frisbee with these light-up frisbees.
30. Go on a bike ride. Look up cycling paths in your area for a safe way to enjoy cycling outdoors. Make sure to pack water, snacks and water-resistant sunscreen for the ride!
31. Go rollerblading. If you are already an experienced skater, try learning a new rollerblading trick.
32. Try rock climbing. If you’re new to rock climbing you can climb the walls of an indoor climbing gym. For more experienced climbers, try outdoor bouldering and roped climbing. 
33. Try zip-lining. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes; many zip-lines don’t allow sandals or flip-flops.

Summer entertainment & local attractions

There are so many fun things to see and do in the summer. Check out the activities below:

Concerts, movies and theater

Support the arts this summer with one of the ideas below.

34. Go to a drive-in movie. Get there early for a good spot and make sure your headlights are off once you park. If the drive-in you’re going to broadcasts the movie’s sound on the radio be sure to bring a portable radio so you won’t drain your car battery. 
35. Watch Shakespeare in the park. Try something different this summer, and see a Shakespeare play performed outdoors. Be sure to bring a blanket for when the temperature drops.
36. Go to an outdoor concert. Look for free concerts your city might offer (e.g. LACMA jazz nights in Los Angeles) for a low-budget musical outing.
37. See a play at an outdoor theater. Some theaters have outdoor amphitheaters where you can watch plays and musicals. Check your local theater listings and see if you can find one near you.
38. Attend a music festival. There are outdoor music festivals all over the United States including Coachella in California, Summerfest in Wisconsin, Bonnaroo in Tennessee and many more across the country!
39. Go to an outdoor movie screening. There are various organizations that host outdoor movie screenings (e.g. Cinespia in Los Angeles). Try to find one near you!

Ticketed events & attractions

The summer bucket list ideas below all require tickets. However, they’re so fun, they’re definitely worth planning in advance for.

40. Go to a water park. Find your next water park adventure in this list of the best water parks in the United States.
41. See a baseball game. Some stadiums have strict bag policies, allowing only clear bags of a certain size in the stadium. Be sure to check your stadium’s rules before arriving. 
42. Go to a theme park. If you’re a thrill seeker, check out this list of the top 20 amusement parks in the US.
43. Visit a zoo. You can find accredited zoos (and aquariums) here. The Los Angeles zoo and Cleveland zoo are especially fun to visit!
44. Go to the state fair. Most state fairs are either in the summer or early fall. See when your state’s fair is, and check online for discounted admission days.
45. Visit an aquarium. Channel your inner marine biologist by going to an aquarium like the Albuquerque aquarium.
46. Visit a museum. Check for special exhibits you might want to see. Many museums have days that residents can visit for free; plus Bank of America cardholders can visit select museums for free on the first full weekend of the month.

Parks & gardens

Enjoy the beauty of nature this summer with the six activities below.

47. Go to a botanical garden. Nearly every state has a botanical garden. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as botanical gardens can span hundreds of acres (e.g. the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden has over 300 acres of gardens and nature spaces).
48. Visit a national park or state park. Some states allow you to check out a free vehicle day pass to visit a selection of state parks.
49. Go to an arboretum. If your favorite parts of botanical gardens are the trees and shrubs, then you’ll love arboretums! See if your local arboretum offers a guided tour to learn more about the plants there.
50. Visit a rose garden. Be sure to learn the different rose color meanings before you head to the garden! Check the peak bloom time for the garden to ensure you’ll be able to see the widest variety of roses.
51. Go to a butterfly garden. Some botanical gardens include butterfly gardens, like the Springfield botanical gardens in Missouri.
52. Visit a sculpture garden. If you like sculpture gardens, be sure to check out the Elizabethan Garden on Roanoke Island.

Shopping & markets

There are plenty of opportunities to get a souvenir this summer. Try one of the bucket list ideas below:

53. Visit a farmers market. They’re a great place to pick up fresh, seasonal produce. Some larger markets are open all week (e.g. Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington). Other smaller markets usually occur on Sundays, but some cities opt for other days (e.g. Culver City’s farmers market is on Tuesday).
54. Go to a yard sale. Support your local community by visiting a yard sale this weekend! See if you can visit more than one in the same area for a whole morning of fun.
55. Visit a night market. Spend an evening browsing food, drinks and retail stalls at night markets. Be sure to arrive hungry!
56. Go to an estate sale. You can find a listing of estate sales on estatesales.net. Most professional estate sales accept cards, but some family-run sales might only accept cash.
57. Visit an antique store or flea market. Hunt for vintage furniture, art clothing and decor. Don’t forget reusable bags to carry all your treasures home.

Food & drinks for summer

Whether you’re looking for a tasty meal, a delicious drink or a refreshing summer dessert, the ideas below have you covered.

Summer food & cooking

No summer bucket list would be complete without the tasty food and drink experiences that occur during the summer.

58. Fire up the grill. Learn these tips to help you grill like a pro. Then fire up the grill to make one of the grilling recipes for summer.
59. Have a seafood boil. To make a perfectly cooked seafood boil, add the ingredients that take the longest to cook first (e.g. potatoes) and add the ingredients that are quickest to cook last (e.g. shrimp). 
60. Visit a food truck festival. While most food trucks accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to bring some cash, just in case.
61. Make homemade ice cream. Try this recipe for homemade no-churn coconut pistachio ice cream.
62. Eat strawberry shortcake. You can either make a full-sized strawberry shortcake, or mini strawberry shortcakes.
63. Make homemade popsicles. Making popsicles at home is easier than you might think! Get a popsicle mold and try one of these summer popsicle recipes.

Cocktails & mocktails

Cool down this summer making one of the cocktail or mocktail recipes below!

64. Make homemade lemonade. Make use of the fruit in season this summer with this recipe for watermelon raspberry lemonade.
65. Mix up a piña colada. While you’re sipping this tasty cocktail, learn how the history of the piña colada involves pirates!
66. Make a summer mocktail. This tropical mocktail recipe features oranges, strawberries, raspberries and fruit ice cubes.
67. Assemble a root beer float. Transport yourself back in time with this classic root beer float recipe.
68. Muddle up a mojito. This rum-based cocktail is so popular it has its own national day on July 11 called National Mojito Day.
69. Make fruit-infused water. Reduce food waste and make this strawberry-infused water recipe with your leftover strawberry tops.

Creative & relaxing activities

The summer bucket list ideas below are all calming ways to enjoy the season.

Crafts & DIY projects

Strengthen your artistic talents by trying one of the creative bucket list ideas for summer below.

70. Make a summer vision board. Plan how you want to spend summer by making a vision board to keep you inspired all season long.
71. Do a front yard makeover. Make a cozy seating area to enjoy this summer by following this budget front yard makeover tutorial.
72. Make a bird feeder. Attract birds to your garden while recycling a common household item with this simple DIY milk carton bird feeder project.
73. Make a tie dye shirt. Transform a plain t-shirt into a fun pattern with this heart-shaped tie dye shirt tutorial.
74. Compile a summer playlist. Choose songs that make you think of this summer so you can relive the feeling of summer any time you listen to the playlist.
75. Make a summer scrapbook. Encourage yourself to take more photos this year by committing to making a scrapbook of summer memories.

Puzzles & printables

If you’re looking to have fun while saving some money this season, try one of the free summer bucket list ideas below. 

76. Fill in summer coloring pages. These 20+ free summer coloring pages have seasonal designs that will provide hours of screen-free fun.
77. Solve a summer word search. Challenge yourself to locate the 12 summer-themed words that are hidden inside of this summer word search.
78. Decode a summer word scramble. See how quickly you can unjumble the 21 words in this summer word scramble.
79. Solve a summer crossword puzzle. Exercise your brain by solving the 20 clues in this summer crossword puzzle.
80. Go on a scavenger hunt. Get outdoors with the whole family and see how many of the items in this summer scavenger hunt you can find.

Peaceful summer activities

There are so many relaxing activities you can do this summer. Try one of the ideas below:

81. Do outdoor yoga. Practice on a thick yoga mat to make uneven outdoor surfaces more comfortable.
82. Practice outdoor meditation. You can use an app for guided meditations or sit quietly and meditate for five minutes.
83. Paint a sunset. Make sure to pick a west-facing spot to sit. You can get a travel watercolor set that has everything you need for painting on the go.
84. Plant a flower. Not all flowers can withstand the summer heat. Check out this list of flowers that thrive in the summer.
85. Go on a picnic. Make packing for a picnic easier with a fully stocked picnic basket set that has cutlery, plates, and glasses.
86. Read a book outside. Grab a book and head outside to enjoy it in the shade. Bonus points if you’ve got a hammock to read it in.
87. Go stargazing. Try stargazing under a new moon, when the sky is as dark as possible. Use a telescope to see how many constellations you can find.
88. Watch a meteor shower. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every summer. Plan a night of stargazing around it, and be sure to head away from the city so the light pollution is as low as possible.

Summer activities with friends & family

One of the best parts of summer is spending time with friends and family. Try one of the social summer bucket list ideas below:

Social gatherings

You can host a gathering this summer, or be a guest at one, with the ideas below.

89. Host a backyard BBQ. It doesn’t need to be expensive to host a BBQ! Learn these tips to save money grilling.
90. Go to a block party. Check city websites to see if there are any block parties near you. Some are put on by local residents and others are put on by the city (e.g. Santa Monica Block Fest).
91. Have a game night with friends. Make sure to have a variety of games including card games like Phase 10, word association games like Code Names, drawing games like Telestrations and board games like Catan.
92. Host a pool party. Get a set of pool games for the kiddos to play at your pool party.
93. Have a garage sale. You can make a few extra dollars and might also meet new neighbors! Be sure to put your best items where they can be easily seen to attract potential customers.
94. Host a potluck with friends. Have each person bring one dish, and share them all! Try one of these crock-pot recipes for an easy dish to make.

Summer bucket list ideas for kids

The summer bucket list activities below are centered around children. Be sure to try one of the ideas below if you have kids:

95. Make a keychain. Teach your kids how to make a beaded lizard keychain (like the ones that were so popular in the 90s).
96. Blow bubbles. Skip the tiny bubble wands and swap them out for these giant bubble wands. Then have a contest to see who can blow the biggest bubble.
97. Play flashlight tag. Head outside after dark to play tag with flashlights or another fun flashlight game.
98. Make a lemonade stand. You can make a lemonade stand from a thrifted side table with a sign made from chalkboard paint with this tutorial.
99. Build a fort. Make your kids a fort to play in, like this ultimate box fort, or this blanket fort under the dining room table.
100. Draw with sidewalk chalk. Get a box of sidewalk chalk and add some color to your sidewalk or driveway. You can play a game of giant tic tac toe with it!

Get free summer bucket list printable

If you’d like a printable version of this summer bucket list, you can print it out as a high-resolution JPG or PDF by using the links below.

• Get the free summer bucket list printable (PDF)↗
• Get the high-resolution free printable summer bucket list (JPG)↗

Printing instructions:

• Choose portrait orientation and “fit to page” on your printer settings for a full page printout.
• You can also get the printable summer checklist free in a slightly smaller size from the project card at the bottom of this page. Just scroll down and press “print”.

Be sure to check out these collections of printables for more free resources: word searches, word scrambles, crossword puzzles, scavenger hunts, coloring pages and bucket lists.

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