72 Summer Bucket List Ideas for 2023 (Add Your Picks!)

Sarah Calamita said:  Strawberry, raspberry, peach, nectarine, blueberry....so many options! Kids involved in picking will be more apt to eat them and help you cook with them.

Kristy Pepping said:  Either print an online list of things to find around your yard, or create a list as a family. Then make a game of it. See who can find all the items on the list first.

Kristy Pepping said:  There are ways to tie dye that don't involve quite as much mess. You can do Sharpie marker tie dye or purchase a kit that comes with pre-measured dye in squeezable bottles. Both versions are easy enough to do and will create fun wearable art project this summer.

Shila said:  Stop and smell the roses this summer, literally! Botanic gardens and conservatories are ideal for all-ages family fun. Check out what's in bloom by you! Connect with nature, go on leisurely walks, take beautiful photos of the kids, relax in fresh air and more. This is a great non travel summer bucket list idea that will help you feel like you're someplace else!

Shila said:  If they're ready for an upgrade, transform your child's bedroom into a tween or teen's dream! Consider repainting or wallpapering, purchasing a new bedspread, an area rug, cool artwork, and trendy lighting. Your kids may feel that much more grown up when they return to school in the fall!

Kelly R. said:  One summer, we played all of our family board games one time each, and made a chart to keep track of how many times each family member won for a summer-long competition. We found that it was also a great way to weed out the games that we had outgrown (or just didn't like).

Shila said:  Challenge your family to make a dessert recipe from scratch. The kitchen may be a mess, but your summer will be more sweet!

Shila said:  Fishing is a great family bucket list activity for all ages, and you'll have time for some great conversations with your kids. Note that you may need to apply for a local permit.

Kristy Pepping said:  Write a letter to family or a friend. Tell them what you have been up to during your summer and ask them to write back. Keep your pen pal letters going all summer long.

Shila said:  Pack the supplies, plan some tasty camping meals (including marshmallows for s'mores!) and stay overnight at a campground. From pitching the tent that you'll sleep in together, to sitting around the fire sharing silly stories, this is an epic memory to make as a family! No campground? Camp in your backyard! Sleeping under the stars at home can be just as nice. You can make s'mores in your oven, too!

Shila said:  Running a non-stop mile is true "milestone" to check-off on a summer bucket list! Help your kids create realistic targets (i.e., 1-mile under 10 minutes) and try to work toward the goal every day. Maybe someday you and your family can tackle an organized race together!

Alexandra F. said:  Nothing like those long summer nights to inspire us to turn our gaze upward! Whether on a family camping trip, at a local observatory, or in your own backyard, spend a peaceful evening admiring the beauty of the night sky. A home telescope or pair of binoculars will allow you to see celestial objects more clearly, but you really don't need any fancy equipment to enjoy the view. Who knows, it may even inspire a new hobby for the kids (or you)!

Kelly R. said:  Encourage everyone in the family to pick random acts of kindness to carry out!

Kelly R. said:  Check out a local lake and feed the ducks! Instead of bread, opt for healthier choices like corn, defrosted frozen peas, and seeds.

Kristy Pepping said:  Summer is a great time to print off those photos from the school year. If you have a good printer, just print them out or send them to an online photo company to mail you the prints. Either way, your family will enjoy looking back at the memories from the past year. To further organize your project, you can use a label maker and label each section of photos so that you remember each experience in the future.