Summer just brings the best in people, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s the sun-filled, warm-breezy days? Or the chance to connect with friends and spend time outdoors?

A lot of people love summer but ultimately end up doing the same old stuff. Why not make your summer a little different?

This blog article has everything you need to make this summer your best one yet with the ultimate summer bucket list.

How to have a fun summer

Rather than sitting at home watching Netflix, think about what types of fun summer activities you dream of doing.

The first step is to make your own summer bucket list! This is a list of everything you want to do before the season’s change.

Or get crafty and check out How to Start a Summer Bullet Journal.

Think about adding some fun and achievable goals like trying a new vegetable salad recipe, visiting the beach, or going berry picking.

Why have a summer bucket list?

The main reason is that life can pass us by so easily if we’re not being mindful and paying attention.

The other reason I love putting together a list is that it gives me and my husband exciting activities to look forward to and plan together.

Most importantly, a summer bucket list isn’t just about non-stop activities.

It’s a collection of ideas and suggestions of activities that will encourage you to practice self-care, wellness, and most importantly have fun!

How to make your summer bucket list?

A bucket list is supposed to be fun and inspirational, not another to-do list that causes you stress.

The best bucket lists are full of activities that you are eager and excited to do!

So, by all means, use my ideas to make your own summer bucket list.

Ask yourself, what are some things you could add to your list?

Personalize your summer bucket list with names of people you want to spend time with, places you want to go, and foods you want to try.

Keep in mind that a summer bucket list for couples will be different than a summer bucket list for teens or families. If you have children, it’s really fun to include them in the activity of creating their own bucket lists.

Use the ideas on this bucket list for summer to spark your imagination rather than to hem you in. And appreciate your own summer bucket list.

Make your list special

Personalize your bucket list with names of people you want to spend time with, places you want to go, and foods you want to try.

Keep in mind that a summer bucket list for couples will be different than one for teens or families.

If you have children, it’s really fun to include them in the activity of creating their own bucket lists.

Use any of the 100 ideas to spark your imagination rather than to hem you in. And then make your own list and have fun with it!

Grab some colored pencils or pens, a big sheet of white paper, or even post board, and go wild!

Don’t hold yourself back because you’re just brainstorming a list of ideas. It’s okay if you don’t get to ALL of the fun activities you want to do. The more imaginative you are the better!

25 ideas for a summer bucket list for adults

One of the best exercises to do once you’re an adult is to make your OWN bucket list of all the fun activities that you are eager to do.

To get you started here are my top 25 ideas for a summer bucket list for adults:

• Visit a National Park and go on a scenic hike
• Attend an outdoor music festival
• Have a beach day with friends or family
• Plan a camping trip
• Visit a new city or country
• Take a hot air balloon ride
• Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore a nearby lake or river
• Try a new water sport such as surfing or snorkeling
• Have a picnic in a local park
• Take a road trip along the coast
• Go on a whale-watching tour
• Take a cooking class to learn how to make new summer dishes
• Have a bonfire on the beach
• Take a dance class or attend a dance party
• Go stargazing at a nearby observatory
• Try a new adventure sport like zip lining or rock climbing
• Visit a local farmer’s market and try new fruits and vegetables
• Attend an outdoor theater production or movie night
• Try a new ice cream flavor or visit an ice cream parlor
• Volunteer at a local beach or park clean-up event
• Attend a food and wine festival
• Have a game day with friends, playing sports or board games
• Rent a boat and spend the day on the water
• Visit an amusement park or water park
• Take a scenic drive and stop at small towns or historical sites along the way.

25 ideas for a summer bucket list with friends

Perhaps you’d rather create a summer bucket list with your friends since it’s usually more fun to do activities and share experiences with others.

Here are 25 of my favorite ideas for a summer bucket list to do with your friends:

• Have a barbeque or potluck in the park
• Attend a concert or music festival
• Take a scenic hike or nature walk
• Visit a new city and try local cuisine
• Rent a tandem bike and explore a new area
• Have a bonfire on the beach or by a lake
• Take a cooking or mixology class together
• Attend a wine or food festival
• Go on a scenic drive and stop at small towns or historical sites along the way
• Take a dance class or attend a dance party
• Have a movie night under the stars or attend an outdoor film festival
• Try a new adventure sport, such as zip lining or rock climbing
• Volunteer together at a local beach or park clean-up event
• Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore a nearby lake or river
• Go on a whale-watching tour or boat trip
• Attend an outdoor theater production or play
• Have a game day with outdoor sports or lawn games
• Visit a botanical or butterfly garden
• Try a new water sport, such as surfing or snorkeling
• Take a scenic train or boat trip
• Have a spa day or massage
• Attend a jazz or classical music concert in a park or garden
• Go stargazing at a nearby observatory or take a night hike
• Have a beach day with beach volleyball or other games
• Plan a camping or RV trip and explore the great outdoors.

25 ideas for a summer bucket list for couples

One exercise that I love to do with my husband is to sit down together and write all of the fun and engaging activities we want to do together during the summer.

Instead of the long to-do list or projects that we are always attending to, our summer bucket list is actually FUN to write.

Here are 25 ideas for a summer bucket list for you and your partner:

• Take a romantic beach vacation or visit a secluded island
• Have a picnic in a scenic location, such as a park or vineyard
• Attend a concert or music festival
• Take a scenic hike or nature walk
• Visit a new city and try local cuisine
• Rent a tandem bike and explore a new area
• Go on a hot air balloon ride or scenic helicopter tour
• Have a bonfire on the beach or by a lake
• Take a cooking or mixology class together
• Attend a wine or food festival
• Go on a scenic drive and stop at small towns or historical sites along the way
• Take a dance class or attend a dance party
• Have a movie night under the stars or attend an outdoor film festival
• Try a new adventure sport, such as zip lining or rock climbing
• Volunteer together at a local beach or park clean-up event
• Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore a nearby lake or river
• Go on a whale-watching tour or boat trip
• Attend an outdoor theater production or play
• Have a game day with outdoor sports or lawn games
• Visit a botanical or butterfly garden
• Try a new water sport, such as surfing or snorkeling
• Take a scenic train or boat trip
• Have a couples spa day or massage
• Attend a jazz or classical music concert in a park or garden
• Go stargazing at a nearby observatory or take a night hike.

25 ideas for a summer bucket list with kids

One of the best parts of having kids is spending time with them. Kids are imaginative, and creative and embrace the long days of summer.

Get a big poster board, grab some pens, and incorporate your kids into putting together the best summer bucket list for the whole family.

To get you started here are some of my favorite summer bucket activities to do with kids:

• Have a water balloon fight or visit a splash pad
• Make homemade ice cream or popsicles
• Have a family picnic in the park
• Visit a local petting zoo or farm
• Make homemade lemonade or iced tea
• Go on a nature walk or scavenger hunt
• Have a movie night under the stars
• Attend a kids’ concert or musical performance
• Try a new sport or activity, such as mini golf or horseback riding
• Visit a children’s museum or science center
• Have a craft day and make summer-themed art projects
• Play in the sprinkler or have a pool day
• Have a family game day with board games or lawn games
• Visit a butterfly or botanical garden
• Attend a summer camp or program
• Have a beach day and build sandcastles
• Try a new type of cuisine, such as a food truck or ethnic restaurant
• Have a family bike ride or go on a nature trail
• Visit an aquarium or marine park
• Make homemade ice cream or popsicles
• Attend a summer festival or fair
• Have a picnic at the lake or river
• Make a summer-themed scrapbook
• Visit a butterfly or botanical garden
• Try a new outdoor activity, such as rock climbing or kayaking.

Wrap-up

It’s that time of year when blue skies and sunshine can’t help but make you smile! Finally, your dream of spending every waking moment outside can actually become a reality.

However, instead of getting caught up in a boring routine, try making a summer bucket list and try some things you’ve never done before.

If you tried my list, what were some of your favorite activities? What activities would you add to the list? Let’s make this summer epic and have a blast!