110 Fun Summer Bucket List Ideas to Soak Up the Season

Summer feels short. One day, you’re planning what to do, and suddenly it’s August.

Most bucket lists feel impossible. Expensive trips. Complex projects. Things that need weeks of planning.

This list is different. These summer activities are tangible, doable, and fun. Some take 30 minutes. Others fill a weekend. All of them will make your summer memorable.

You’ll find outdoor activities for nature lovers. Travel ideas that won’t break the bank. Creative projects for rainy days. Social experiences to share with friends. Personal growth goals that stick.

Ready to turn your summer from ordinary to unforgettable? Pick three ideas that excite you most. Start this weekend.

Make this the summer you’ll remember years from now.

Why Bucket Lists Make Summer Better

Bucket lists change vague summer dreams into specific plans that come to fruition.

Instead of letting days drift by wondering “what should we do today,” you have a ready menu of ideas that fit your mood, budget, and time.

They help you balance different types of experiences, from quiet solo activities to group adventures, ensuring your summer feels full and intentional rather than rushed or wasted.

Most importantly, bucket lists encourage you to try new things you might never have considered otherwise, creating unexpected moments that become your favorite summer memories.

110 Bucket List Ideas to Do This Summer

Make every day of summer count with 110 exciting, creative, and feel-good ideas you’ll want to try.

Section 1: Outdoor Fun & Nature Escapes

1. Hike a trail you’ve never tried before
2. Go camping for a weekend in a tent, RV, or your backyard
3. Watch a sunrise from the most scenic spot you can find
4. Start a mini wildflower garden in your yard or balcony
5. Build and hang a DIY bird feeder using recycled materials
6. Try stargazing in a place with minimal light pollution
7. Rent a kayak or paddleboard for a day on the water
8. Set up a hammock and spend an afternoon reading outdoors
9. Go fruit picking at a local farm or orchard
10. Learn to identify five local trees or birds in your area
11. Visit a state or national park you’ve never been to
12. Host a bonfire night with friends and marshmallows
13. Take your pet on a nature walk or hiking trail
14. Plant a vegetable you can harvest and eat by summer’s end
15. Fly a kite on a windy day at the beach or park
16. Try geocaching using a smartphone app
17. Attend an outdoor fitness class in a park
18. Go on a nature photo walk and capture 20 different subjects
19. Swim in a natural lake or river instead of a pool
20. Sign up for and complete a local 5K run or walk

Section 2: Local Travel & Mini-Adventures

21. Take a spontaneous weekend road trip within 200 miles
22. Visit a nearby town you’ve never been to before
23. Try a new form of transportation, like a train, ferry, or electric scooter
24. Stay at a quirky Airbnb or a unique hotel in your state
25. Follow a local hiking or biking trail map you found online
26. Tour a historical landmark or hidden gem in your region
27. Spend a night in a treehouse, yurt, or cozy cabin
28. Plan a sunrise-to-sunset itinerary in your own city
29. Go waterfall hunting and visit three waterfalls in one day
30. Attend a free outdoor concert or farmers market
31. Take a “no-GPS” day trip and let curiosity guide you
32. Go to a drive-in movie theater with blankets and snacks
33. Plan a solo day trip to somewhere you’ve always wondered about
34. Attend a seasonal festival focused on food, art, or music
35. Go on a food crawl in a neighborhood you rarely visit
36. Create a custom route with five scenic stops along the way
37. Visit the highest viewpoint or lookout in your region
38. Go horseback riding at a local stable or ranch
39. Do a “48 hours, 10 stops” challenge in a nearby area
40. Build a summer scrapbook for every new place you visit

Section 3: Social, Food & Experience Goals

41. Host a themed picnic with Mediterranean, Japanese, or Mexican cuisine
42. Make your own popsicles or ice cream from scratch
43. Try a sunrise breakfast with your closest friends
44. Organize a backyard Olympics with silly games and prizes
45. Throw a glow-in-the-dark party with neon decorations
46. Go to a food truck meetup or festival
47. Make fresh lemonade from scratch using real lemons
48. Host a potluck dinner using only summer ingredients
49. Have a no-phone evening gathering with board games
50. Do a board game night outdoors under string lights
51. Try five new summer recipes you found online
52. Visit a night market or evening street fair
53. Recreate your favorite restaurant meal at home
54. Start a shared photo album for your friend group
55. Volunteer at a local summer event or charity drive
56. Do a blindfolded taste test night with exotic foods
57. Plan a rooftop or balcony hangout session
58. Make friendship bracelets for everyone in your group
59. Organize a “one item from every grocery aisle” dinner challenge
60. Write a group summer anthem or create the perfect playlist

Section 4: Creative, Chill & At-Home Ideas

61. Make a time capsule and bury it in your backyard
62. Learn to tie-dye old white shirts or pillowcases
63. Start a summer reading challenge with 10 books
64. Build a backyard or balcony fort using sheets and chairs
65. Host a movie marathon with a specific theme or decade
66. Create a “wall of memories” collage from this summer
67. Try painting with your non-dominant hand for 30 minutes
68. Build a mini herb garden from scratch on your windowsill
69. Rearrange your room to create a fresh summer vibe
70. Make your own candles or bath bombs using online tutorials
71. Have a self-care Sunday routine every week
72. Do a 7-day journaling challenge about your summer goals
73. Try water painting on pavement and watch it disappear
74. Learn origami or macramé using YouTube videos
75. DIY a new piece of wall decor for your space
76. Host a “creative swap” where friends trade handmade items
77. Binge a travel documentary series about places you want to visit
78. Start a blog, vlog, or voice journal about your summer
79. Do an indoor picnic on your living room floor
80. Spend a full day without any screens or digital devices

Section 5: Personal Growth & Summer Goals

81. Set three personal goals for summer and track them weekly
82. Try waking up at 6 AM for one full week
83. Start a 10-minute daily meditation habit using an app
84. Learn a new skill on YouTube, like juggling or basic Spanish
85. Read a book in a genre you usually skip or avoid
86. Write a letter to your future self to open next summer
87. Clean out your digital clutter and organize your phone
88. Learn how to budget your money or start investing basics
89. Commit to a 30-day challenge like fitness, gratitude, or new habits
90. Create a vision board for the rest of the year
91. Limit social media to one hour per day for a week
92. Have a “no spend” week and find free activities instead
93. Create or update your resume even if you’re not job hunting
94. Reach out to five old friends you haven’t talked to lately
95. Watch one inspirational TED Talk every day for five days
96. Learn basic meal prep techniques to save time and money
97. Listen to one full album from a music genre you’ve never tried
98. Spend an entire day in complete silence and reflection
99. Teach something you know well to someone else
100. Reflect on your best summer memory from each week

Section 6: Random, Totally Fun

101. Chase an ice cream truck and buy something from it
102. Build a sandcastle even if you’re way past childhood
103. Dress in all neon colors for an entire day
104. Trade music playlists with a stranger
105. Use sidewalk chalk to create “art” on your street or driveway
106. Dance barefoot in the rain during the next summer storm
107. Recreate a childhood summer photo with the same people or poses
108. Go to a busy public place just to sit and watch people
109. Let someone else plan your entire day without knowing what’s coming
110. Say “yes” to something you would typically say “no” to

Final Notes

Summer doesn’t need to be perfect to be unforgettable. You don’t need to check off every item on this summer bucket list.

Pick five ideas that made you smile. Start with the easiest one tomorrow. Share your favorites with friends and family.

The best summers happen when you step outside your routine, when you try something new, when you say yes more often than no.

Your future self will thank you for the memories you create today. This summer bucket list serves as your starting point, not a rulebook.

What will you try first? Tell us in the comments below.

Want fun ways to learn? Explore more educational games and activities here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you Have a Summer Bucket List?

Yes, a summer bucket list is a collection of fun activities and experiences you want to complete during the summer months to make the season more memorable and intentional.

What Is a 10 Bucket List?

A 10 bucket list is a shortened version of a traditional bucket list, containing just 10 specific goals or activities you want to accomplish within a set timeframe.

What Is the Best Summer Activity?

The best summer activity depends on your interests, but popular choices include swimming, hiking, outdoor concerts, camping, or hosting backyard gatherings with friends and family.

How to Make Summer Not Boring?

Plan a mix of new experiences like trying different restaurants, visiting local attractions, learning a skill, or organizing themed activities with friends to break your routine.