100+ Fun Ideas for a Summer Bucket List for Kids

All Ages Outdoor ActivitiesPrintablesSummer

When you’re a kid, summer break is what you look forward to all year long, but going from the daily routine of the school year to weeks of unscheduled time can throw some kids for a loop and then the dreaded, “Mom, I’m bored” starts playing on repeat. But with this summer bucket list for kids, loaded with more than 100 great ideas, you can banish that summer boredom for good!

Banish Summer Boredom

Now, boredom isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, boredom is a great way for kids to really engage their imaginations and find new, creative ways to spend their time.

But with technology and screens as prevalent as they are today, boredom is often answered with computers, tablets, and video games rather than good, old fashioned summer fun.

And if there is one thing I know about those summer months, it’s that no matter how you choose to spend them, they pretty much just fly by.

So, this year, ditch the screens and make the most of the summer season by giving your kids an inexpensive, fun-filled, old fashioned summer with this free summer bucket list for kids!

Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Kids

So, what exactly is a bucket list? Well, bucket list is just a funny name for a list of things a person wants to accomplish or a list of experiences that they want to have at some point in their lifetime.

We’ve taken that concept and used it to create the ultimate summer bucket list for kids filled with fun, nostalgic summer activities that the whole family is going to love without costing you an arm and a leg!

Outdoor Activities

Many of these fun summer activities give you the perfect opportunity to get your kids outside for some fresh air, summer sun, and all of the outdoor fun that you could want!

• Have a picnic
• Go on a bike ride
• Feed the ducks
• Build a sand castle
• Fly a kite
• Plant a tree
• Go on a hike
• Find shapes in the clouds
• Stargaze
• Play at the local park
• Climb a tree
• Play hopscotch
• Go on a nature walk
• Go fishing
• Play Frisbee
• Plant flowers
• Draw with sidewalk chalk
• Blow bubbles
• Go bird watching
• Jump on a trampoline
• Make giant bubbles

Water Fun

No list of fun summer bucket list ideas would be complete without some fun water activities! After those hot summer days, they’re the perfect way to cool off!

• Have a water balloon fight
• Run through the sprinklers
• Visit a splash pad
• Go swimming
• Make and sail a paper boat
• Slide down a slip-n-slide
• Have a water gun fight
• Play in the rain

Delicious Treats

One of the best parts of summer is all of the delicious snacks and so, of course, we had to include a few on our ultimate summer bucket list for kids! Ice cream, popsicles, or a refreshing glass of lemonade, your kids are going to have so much fun making (and eating!) some of these simple treats!

• Buy from the ice cream truck
• Make homemade ice cream
• Make homemade popsicles
• Eat watermelon
• Bake cookies
• Make root beer floats
• Drink a milkshake
• Make a banana split
• Eat a snow cone
• Make homemade lemonade
• Make homemade pizza

Fun Summer Nights

Those long summer days may be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about the hottest season of the year, but it doesn’t get much better than those warm summer nights! Relive the stress free summer nights of your childhood while giving your children memories they’ll never forget with these fun summer bucket list items!

• Go camping
• Watch fireworks
• Catch fireflies
• Watch the sunset
• Roast marshmallows
• Make S’mores
• Play flashlight tag
• Have a bonfire

Enjoy a Staycation

Whether you’re planning some fun family trips this summer or not, you don’t need a full on road trip to enjoy new places with your kids! The quick day trips that you’ll find on this summer bucket list for kids are perfect for rainy days when you need a few indoor activities and make fantastic additions to your summer to-do list!

• Tour the fire station
• Visit the zoo
• Go to a drive-in movie
• Visit mom or dad at work
• Visit a grandparent
• Go bowling
• Visit a nursing home
• Visit your local library
• Go berry picking
• Go mini golfing
• Visit a farmers market
• Visit an arcade

Thinking of Others

Summer is all about slowing down and enjoying the things that truly matter. We’ve included a few ideas to help you do just that on our own summer bucket list. These ideas require no extra cost on your part but will mean the world to the people that mean the most to you!

• Volunteer
• Help cook dinner
• Perform some random acts of kindness
• Mail a postcard to someone you know
• Donate to the animal shelter
• Make friendship bracelets
• Help a neighbor

Make, Create, and Build

Spark your children’s imaginations and get their creative juices flowing with this list of fun activities! Younger children will love all of the craft projects, but even your older kids will want to get in on the action once you start building!

• Build a fort
• Try face painting
• Make tie-dye shirts
• Build an obstacle course
• Make paper bag puppets
• Create your own comic book
• Build a domino run
• Make paper airplanes
• Make slime
• Finger paint
• Make sun catchers
• Make DIY bouncy balls
• Make recycled crayons
• Build a bird feeder
• Make homemade play dough
• Paint rocks

Friendly Games

If there is one thing that summer is excellent for, it’s getting a child’s energy out! Add a few of these fun games to your family’s summer bucket list and you’ll wear them all out in no time!

• Play a new board game
• Capture the flag
• Marco Polo
• Dodge ball
• Tag
• Bingo
• Hide and seek
• Play Twister

Quality Family Time

Spending time, especially quality time, with your children is what summer is really all about and it doesn’t have to cost you anything to do that! These free activities won’t cost you a dime and are perfect for all ages!

• Have a family game night
• Wash the family car
• Eat breakfast for dinner
• Stay in your pajamas all day
• Have a movie marathon

Brain Exercise

There are so many fun ways to get exercise in the summer months, but don’t forget to give the brain a workout as well! There are so many fun ways to continue learning throughout the summer and we’ve included those on our free printable bucket list as well!

• Do a science experiment
• Bury a time capsule
• Learn Origami
• Start a summer journal
• Put together a puzzle
• Write a story
• Watch a thunderstorm
• Run a lemonade stand

Host an Event

Have your children put their hosting skills to the test by holding their very own event! Invite friends, grandparents, or even the neighbors. You might even make a few new friends!

• Have a BBQ
• Have a slumber party
• Host a talent show
• Put on a puppet show
• Have an outdoor dance party