Summer Bucket List Ideas: Fun Activities for the Whole Family

As the nights get longer and school ends, it’s the perfect time to make lasting memories with your family. A summer bucket list is a great way to stay inspired and ensure you make the most of these warm, sunny days. Whether you’re looking for summer bucket list ideas for kids or fun activities for the whole family, here’s a list of ideas that will keep everyone entertained!

The best part? Our Summer Bucket List is a three-month calendar filled with activities, so it’s all prepped for you! You can just hang it up and start crossing off all the fun ideas, ensuring you have a memorable summer without any of the stress of planning.

Popcorn Night

Popcorn night is the perfect way to kick off the summer fun with minimal effort. Gather the family for a cozy evening of movie watching with an assortment of popcorn flavors. You can have classic buttered popcorn, or get creative with toppings like caramel, chocolate drizzle, or even spicy jalapeno seasoning. Want to earn extra fun parent points? Let the kids create a custom snack mix by adding candy (we love M&Ms!), pretzels, nuts, etc. 

Photo by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash

County Fair Adventures

A trip to the county fair is a quintessential summer activity, offering all the thrills of rides, games, and classic fair food. Check out your local fair for games, contests, and live entertainment. In addition to the carnival games and rides, county fairs also have a variety of animals that you can see- make it a game with your kids by having them guess who will take first prize and see if they're correct after the judging. Or, make a bingo card and have them see if they can check off all the animals on their list! 

Photo by Scotty Turner on Unsplash

Bonfire and S’mores

What’s summer without a bonfire? Gather around the fire pit, roast marshmallows, and indulge in classic s’mores. To make this traditional treat even more exciting, experiment with creative s’mores combinations. 

Cookie ideas: fudge stripe cookies (because you get the cookie and chocolate all in one!) Cinnamon graham crackers, Oreos, Ritz crackers (the sweet and salty combo is amazing)

Chocolate ideas: Hershey's Symphony bars, thin peanut butter cups, cookies'n'cream bars, caramel-stuffed chocolate bars. Or, you can try a hazelnut spread like Nutella or a cookie butter spread for something different! 

Extras: Strawberries, bananas, and raspberries, or a caramel drizzle 

To make it extra fun, you can create a little menu for everyone to see their choices and include popular combinations to try.

Here are a few of our favorites:
Fudge stripe cookie + marshmallow
Cinnamon graham cracker + toasted coconut marshmallow + milk chocolate
Graham cracker + marshmallow + dark chocolate + fresh raspberries
Oreo + marshmallow + cookies'n'cream bar
Ritz cracker + marshmallow + thin peanut butter cup 

Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash

Book Reading or Summer Reading Challenge

A summer reading challenge is a fantastic way to keep kids engaged and encourage their love of books. Many libraries offer summer reading programs with rewards for completing reading goals. You can also create a reading challenge at home by setting up a book list or even a reading scavenger hunt. Choose a theme, like “adventure” or “mystery,” and let each family member pick a book to read. After finishing a book, gather together to talk about the plot, characters, and what you loved about the story. You could even host a family book club!

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Backyard Movie Night

Turn your backyard into a cozy movie theater for an unforgettable movie night under the stars. A backyard movie night is one of the easiest and most fun summer bucket list ideas. Here's what you'll need:

• A projector: You can get an affordable projector that’s perfect for outdoor use. Don't have one? A laptop or iPad will work for a cozier vibe.
• A screen: If you don’t have an outdoor screen, a white sheet or a blank wall will work just fine.
• Blankets and pillows: Create a comfy seating area with blankets, pillows, and lawn chairs.
• Snacks: Popcorn, candy, and drinks are essential. You can even create a DIY concession stand with all your family’s favorites.
• Twinkle lights: String up some fairy lights to create a magical atmosphere.
• Bug spray: Don’t forget to keep the bugs at bay so your movie night stays comfortable.

With a little preparation, you’ll have everything you need for a perfect night under the stars. Choose a movie everyone will enjoy, get cozy, and enjoy the experience of watching a film outdoors.

Photo by Alex Litvin on Unsplash

More Summer Bucket List Ideas

Looking to add even more excitement to your summer holiday bucket list? Consider going on a nature hike, hosting a picnic in the park, or even planning a family talent show. The possibilities are endless!

Our Summer Bucket List 3-month calendar has all your activities already planned out for you! No more scrambling for ideas—just check off the activities as you go. It'll help keep your family focused on fun while making sure you don’t miss any of the best parts of summer.

What are your must-do summer bucket list activities? Share your favorites in the comments and let’s make this summer the best one yet!