The Ultimate Summer Bucket List

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If you’re struggling coming up with ways to entertain yourself or your kiddos this Summer- you’ve come to the right place. There’s definitely something on this list for everybody!

Summer Night Ideas

1. Go swimming in the dark– you don’t have to worry about getting burned by the sun and there’s just something so peaceful about swimming at night under the stars
2. Stargaze– Speaking of stars! When was the last time you made it a point to look up at the stars? It’s always a great way to gain perspective and re-center yourself.
3. Have a backyard movie night– so much fun if you have a space for it and a projector. Hang up a white sheet, grab some popcorn, blankets, and bug spray, and enjoy a warm summer night with the family.
4. Have a bonfire- One of my favorite summer activities! Probably not the best for my health, but I just love the scent of a campfire.
5. Make s’mores– Definitely a must if you’re at a bonfire!
6. Catch fireflies– make a game out of it to see how many you can catch. Just be sure to let them go afterward!
7. Go to the drive-in- a great option if you live near a drive-in movie theatre, have a truck, and don’t want to put in all the effort a backyard movie night might require. It’s also great to support them since there aren’t many left now.

Water Activities

1. Find a waterfall- this is an easy one if you live near mountains, but even if you don’t this would make for a fun mini road trip!
2. Have a water balloon or gun fight- another fun activity we did as kids and should most definitely bring back! I want to get these ones this summer.
3. Have a beach day- this is self-explanatory if you live near the beach, but if you don’t you can always re-create it at home with some sand from a home improvement store and an inflatable pool (they even make these for adults now!)
4. Have a pool party- if you do own a pool, host a summer themed pool party!
5. Float the river- this can be so fun with a group of friends! Make sure to take a cooler full of drinks, floats, and some sunscreen!
6. Go swimming at night- I’ve already mentioned this one, but thought I should add it to this category as well.
7. Go fishing- a great activity if you’re trying to teach your kids (or yourself) some patience haha! This could also be fun in the dark as well! If you do happen to go fishing in the dark, listen to the song for me while you do- it’s one of my favorites!
8. Run through the sprinklers- something we all do as kids, but forget about as an adult. Not many people have pools in Washington state, so this was our go-to and we would get creative with it. Another fun way to use a sprinkler is to put it under the trampoline, though definitely be careful, we were young and careless, so it didn’t cross our minds just how dangerous it might be haha!

Adventurous Outdoor Activities

1. Ride a roller coaster– the biggest one you can find!
2. Ride a hot air balloon- this is on my master bucket list and something I’ve always wanted to do. Summer is the perfect time to do it!
3. Host a scavenger hunt– put together a massive scavenger hunt all around town and get your friends, family, and neighborhood involved. Have everyone buy a ticket and put all the money together for first place.
4. Go ziplining– a summer camp favorite!
5. Find a festival– a great option if you can’t access a fair. Summer festivals are everywhere!
6. Go out of state- you can check this one off your list even if you just take a little drive to the state line. You don’t have to make a long trip out of it, but it is nice to see some different scenery and things along the way.
7. Go for a bike ride– search for scenic trails close by to take your bikes or rent some bikes or scooters to explore a big city.
8. Go to the fair– we have them in every county in Washington state during the summertime and I always looked forward to going as a kid, but they’re a bit harder to find in Texas. If they’re more difficult to come by in your state, as well, then drop by the state fair.

While Out & About

1. Visit a winery or distillery– obviously not something to do with littles, but if you’re not toting around kiddos (and are of-age) this is a perfect activity to do with a date or your friends!
2. Have a picnic- Grab a blanket, some fruit, cheese and crackers, and something sparkly to drink and head to the prettiest park around!
3. Visit an orchard- we live close to a blueberry farm and peach orchard that we love to go to each year. It’s so much fun to pick your own produce! A great activity for kids too!
4. Go thrifting- set a limit and see if you can put together an entire outfit or redo a room with your budget. You might surprise yourself with what you can find!
5. Visit a farmer’s market- I always find the most interesting things at farmer’s markets. They’re just so fun to explore!

While Staying In

1. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream– find some yummy recipes from Pinterest to test out. I’ve always thought making ice cream was complicated, but as it turns out, it’s a lot easier than you think!
2. Buy ice cream from an ice cream truck- if making it isn’t your thing and the ice cream man still comes to your neighborhood, this is a classic!
3. Nap in a hammock- possibly the best bucket list activity in this entire post. If I didn’t have a toddler and an infant, I would make sure to do this one every single day haha!
4. Go for an early morning run- start the day off right by moving your body first thing in the morning. It will also promote productivity and give you tons of energy- you’ll get so much more done the rest of the day!
5. Paint something– a canvas, a room, your face- get creative!
6. Chalk the driveway- draw pictures and play games like four square and hopscotch!
7. Build a fort– save this one for a rainy day. Grab all the blankets from around the house and some chairs. Try to make it as big as you can!
8. Declutter- a not-so-fun, but necessary task for every season and if it’s on your bucket list you have to do it! Plus you’ll feel so much better once you do! If you’re anything like me and allow the clutter to build up and take over your life, you may want to consider hiring a local professional to clear it all out for you. If you’re in the DFW area definitely be sure to check out, Our Truck Moving, Garland TX pool table movers. They’re an award-winning company located in Garland, TX and offer commercial and residential moving services along with local labor services, such as, packing and delivery. So you can have them deliver everything you’re donating to a local thrift store. Make decluttering a breeze- call them up and then go take that nap in the hammock outside while you let them do all the hard work. A pro tip for this one is to do it first so you can enjoy the whole summer clutter free!

I hope you get the absolute most out of your summer this year and that this bucket list helps to enhance it! Let me know your favorite thing on this list and what you would add to it!