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Everyone who knows me knows that I love a good list, especially a bucket list. I haven’t made a summer bucket list before, but honestly it sounds like a ton of fun!
I make a deployment bucket list every time my husband leaves with the Army and I’ve made a bucket list for each state that we’ve lived in. (We recently checked some items off of our Hawaii Bucket List!)
These lists help us make the most out of our time, no matter what our circumstances are. Plus, it helps us explore our local area and make memories together as a family.
We are currently working our way through our Little TDY Bucket List, so I won’t be doing a summer bucket list this year.
However, here are 100+ ideas for our summer bucket list next year! I’ve divided them into categories to make sure I get a good variety of things to do.
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Get Outside
I love summertime! And the thing I love the most about it is how much time we spend outside. From swimming to hiking to taking care of my plants, it feels so good to get outside and soak in the sunshine. Here are some summer bucket list ideas to get you outdoors!
- go to your favorite beach/lake/river
- get a tan
- visit a state park you’ve never been to before
- watch a sunrise/sunset
- visit the zoo
- have a pool day
- go camping
- go fishing
- plan a float trip down the river
- pick berries
- go on a boat ride
- spend the day at a waterpark/amusement park
- plant something
- go night swimming
- try geocaching
- visit a botanical garden
- fly a kite
- see a lighthouse
- visit a cave
- see a waterfall
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Get Physical
Everyone seems to be more active during the summer. It’s like we’ve all come out of hibernation and are ready to move our bodies. Here are some fun physical activities to add to your summer bucket list.
- try rock climbing
- go for a long bike ride
- play golf/mini golf
- try a watersport
- go kayaking/canoeing/paddleboarding
- do 3 hikes
- play laser tag
- try zip-lining
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Get Togethers with Friends
Everything is better with friends! Another thing I love about summer is getting together and having fun with friends and family. We always have a good time at cookouts and doing lake days together. So, here are some summer bucket list ideas to enjoy with the ones you love!
- go to a cookout
- host a bring your own pool party
- make a backyard slip-n-slide
- have a game night
- do an escape room together
- host a luau
- plan a party where everyone dresses up in fun costumes
- have a water balloon/water gun fight
- rent a bouncy house/waterslide
- go to a pool party
- host an outdoor movie night
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Summertime Food
Another great part of summer are all the vegetables that are coming out of the garden. Friends and family have been sweet enough to share their harvest with us and nothing makes me happier! Plus, summertime is grilling season and there are just some things that taste better during this time of year. So, definitely don’t forget to add some foodie options to your summer bucket list!
- try a new restaurant
- make strawberry shortcake
- get ice cream cones from a local spot
- eat snow cones/shaved ice
- enjoy some seafood
- make a new drink at home
- try a new summer recipe
- make s’mores
- find a new food truck
- have a picnic
- make homemade lemonade
- learn how to make smoothies/milkshakes at home
- visit a local brewery
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Road Trips
Summertime is the perfect time to do some exploring! As a military family, we have spent a lot of time driving home to visit family. So, we’ve gotten good at road trips and they’re one of my favorite things. Here are some road trip ideas for your summer bucket list.
- go on a road trip
- play ‘tack on the map’ and spend the day in random town near you
- visit a town you’ve never been to before
- make a summer/road trip playlist
- do a girls trip
- be a tourist in your hometown (if you can’t travel far)
- visit a national park
- take a picture with a quirky roadside attraction
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Events
It seems like there is always something fun happening during the summer. From concerts to local festivals to church activities, you could spend every weekend doing something different. Here are some events to add to your summer bucket list.
- go to a farmer’s market
- attend a concert
- enjoy a local festival
- go to a professional sporting event
- take a wine tour
- do a fun run/marathon
- go to a flea market
- find a carnival
- watch some fireworks
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Indoor Options
As much as I love to be out and about during the summer, it’s important to have some indoor options on your summer bucket list. Especially for rainy days or the days that it’s just too hot to be outside (Texas, I’m looking at you!). Here are some indoor options to add to your summer bucket list.
- read 5 books
- go to a late movie showing
- do a diamond painting
- start a new hobby (painting, sewing, macrame, etc.)
- re-decorate a room in your house
- have a themed movie night
- get a bright manicure/pedicure
- clean out/organize a space in your home
- find a new show to binge-watch
- have a spa day (even if it’s at home)
- bake something
- do a DIY project
- tie dye something
- adult coloring books
- build a fort for movie night
- do a paint-by-number
- go bowling
- visit a museum
- do a puzzle
- spend a full day just relaxing
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Goals/Growth
Just because you’re having a fun summer doesn’t mean you should put your goals or personal growth on hold. Here are some inspiring ideas to add to your summer bucket list.
- do a Bible study
- go to the gym 3 days a week
- read 3 self-help books
- start a side hustle
- do a fitness challenge
- learn a new skill
- watch an educational documentary
- meet a fitness goal (run 5 miles, set new personal record, etc.)
- spend 100 hours outside
- create a new healthy habit
- have a screen-free day
- start a big project
I hope these ideas help you to make a summer bucket list of your own! And that you have your BEST SUMMER yet!
