Hey there! Summer is finally here, and I don't know about you, but I'm SO ready for sunshine, adventures, and making memories that'll last forever. Every year I create a summer bucket list, and it's literally been a game-changer for how I experience these precious warm months.
Today I'm sharing my favorite summer bucket list ideas plus how I actually make them happen (because we all know the struggle of ambitious lists that never get completed, right?). Let's dive in!
List of Contents
1. Why I'm Obsessed With Summer Bucket Lists
I started making summer bucket lists about 5 years ago when I realized each September I'd feel this weird disappointment like, “wait, did summer even happen?” Even though I was technically doing stuff, nothing felt intentional or memorable.
Creating a bucket list has seriously changed my summers in ways I never expected:
- It gives me something to look forward to (especially on those random Tuesday afternoons when I'm feeling blah)
- I actually DO the fun things I always talk about doing
- My mental health is way better when I have plans and excitement
- The memories I've made from my bucket list adventures have become some of my favorite life stories
Last summer, I checked off “watch sunrise at the beach” from my list. I almost bailed because waking up at 4:30am seemed INSANE, but my friend convinced me to go. We brought thermoses of coffee, saw the most incredible pink and orange sky, and had the whole beach to ourselves. It was literally magical and something I'd have NEVER done without my bucket list!
2. How I Create My Summer Bucket List (That Actually Works)
Listen, I've definitely made the mistake of creating impossible bucket lists with like 100 items that would require unlimited money and time. Not helpful! Here's how I approach it now:
2.1. Mix Big and Small Adventures
My list always includes a few bigger adventures (like a weekend camping trip) along with super simple pleasures (homemade lemonade on the porch). This way, I can check things off regularly which keeps me motivated!
Some of my favorite small-but-mighty bucket list items:
- Have a picnic in the park with fancy cheese
- Make homemade ice cream
- Watch an outdoor movie
- Go to the farmers market and cook something with what I find
2.2. Group Activities By Type
I've found organizing my list into categories makes it way easier to actually use! My categories usually look something like:
2.2.1. Outdoor Adventures
- Go camping at Lake Superior
- Kayak down the river
- Hike 3 new trails
- Go fishing with my dad
- Take a bike ride to that cute cafe 5 miles away
2.2.2. Water Fun
- Spend a day at the water park
- Float down the river in an inner tube
- Build epic sandcastles
- Have an intense water balloon fight with my nieces and nephews
- Try paddleboarding (I'm terrified but determined!)
2.2.3. Food & Drink Goals
- Host a backyard BBQ with friends
- Make the perfect homemade lemonade
- Try a new ice cream flavor each week
- Hit up 5 different farmers markets
- Have an adults-only ice cream for dinner night
2.2.4. Entertainment & Social
- Watch fireworks on the 4th
- See an outdoor concert
- Go to the drive-in movie theater
- Host movie night in the backyard
- Visit the amusement park
- Attend the jazz festival downtown
2.2.5. Just For Me
- Watch sunrise from my favorite hilltop
- Go stargazing away from the city
- Read 10 books (being realistic here!)
- Have one full day of absolute nothing
- Watch the sunset at the beach
3. How I Actually Make It Happen
The difference between a dream summer bucket list and one you actually complete is implementation! Here's what works for me:
Schedule the big stuff ASAP. I literally pull out my calendar and block dates for the bigger adventures – camping weekends, concert tickets, amusement park day, etc. If I don't schedule it, it won't happen!
Create a “this week” mini-list. Every Sunday, I pick 2-3 items from my master list that I'll try to do that week. Much less overwhelming this way!
Find accountability buddies. I share my list with friends and family and invite them to join me. My sister is my camping buddy, my neighbor joins for farmers market trips, and my boyfriend is always down for ice cream adventures.
Keep it visible. I have my list on my fridge with cute little checkboxes. Seeing it daily reminds me to prioritize fun instead of just grinding through summer with work and chores.
Be flexible! Sometimes the best summer memories come from spontaneous adventures. Last year I ended up adding “midnight swimming” to my list AFTER we did it because it was so amazing.
4. My Summer Bucket List 2025
I've been working on my list for this summer, and I'm super excited about it! Here's what I'm planning:
- Go camping under the stars (already booked for June!)
- Hike at least 3 new trails
- Kayak on the lake with friends
- Bike ride to the ice cream shop 7 miles away
- Fly a kite at the beach (haven't done this since I was a kid!)
- Go fishing at sunrise with my dad
- Catch fireflies in jars (and release them, of course!)
- Try stand-up paddleboarding without falling in
- Spend a day at the new water park
- Pool day with my friend group
- Build the most epic sandcastle ever
- Organize a neighborhood water balloon fight
- Swim in the lake at sunset
- Host a BBQ for my birthday
- Have a picnic at the botanical gardens
- Make my grandma's strawberry lemonade recipe
- Try a new homemade ice cream flavor each month
- Visit every farmers market within 20 miles
- Make a farm-to-table dinner with only local ingredients
- Watch the fireworks from the rooftop bar downtown
- Attend at least 2 outdoor concerts
- Go to the drive-in movie theater on a weeknight
- Host an outdoor movie night (with popcorn bar!)
- Visit the amusement park and ride EVERYTHING
- Attend the arts festival in August
- Watch sunrise from the mountain lookout
- Stargaze during the meteor shower in August
- Read 15 books (being ambitious this year!)
- Take a complete “me day” once a month
- Watch the sunset at the beach with a bonfire after
I know this list is pretty ambitious but that's part of the fun! I probably won't get to everything, and that's totally fine. The point is to have options and inspiration for those “what should we do today” moments.
5. What About You?
I'd love to know what's on YOUR summer bucket list! Do you have any annual traditions or new adventures you're planning this year? The beauty of bucket lists is they're completely personal – your perfect summer might look totally different from mine.
Whatever you choose to include, just remember that the whole point is to enjoy your summer more fully, not stress yourself out with obligations. Be realistic, be flexible, and most importantly – have FUN!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go buy supplies for homemade lemonade since it's supposed to hit 90 degrees tomorrow. Summer bucket list item #1, here I come!
What's going on your summer bucket list this year?
