Two children holding s'mores made of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate on a wooden table.

72 Summer Bucket List Ideas for 2024 (Add Your Picks!)

We're crowdsourcing ideas from parents to compile the ultimate summer bucket list for kids! Get inspired for an epic few months ahead, and add your best summer bucket list ideas to our collection.

Our list keeps growing as parents add their favorite things to do in summer: outside fun, genius tips to entertain the kids, rainy day activities and more. Keep busy while school is out and create some memories while you're at it!

What's on your family bucket list for summer?


 

    Drive-In Movie

    Kelly R said:  A drive-in theater is a fun summer bucket list idea that allows you to catch a new movie while enjoying your own space! Dress in PJs, bring plenty of fun movie snacks, and load up on pillows and blankets for a comfy experience. You might want to bring a board game to play while you're waiting for the movie to start.

    Upparent

    Run Through Sprinklers

    Shila said:  Whether it's a planned outdoor activity on a hot day or you're just watering your lawn anyway, invite your kids to come outside and run through the sprinklers!

    Upparent

    Backyard Movie Night

    Shila said:  A backyard movie night works best if you own (or can rent) a projector, but rolling your big screen TV outdoors works well too! When the sun goes down, pop in a summer family movie and invite a couple friends over to watch outside.

    Upparent

    Learn to Ride a Bike

    Shila said:  Say goodbye to training wheels this summer and teach your kid to ride a big kid bike! Achieving this skill can open the door to so many more family-friendly bike trail options to add to your summer bucket list.

    Upparent

    Explore a State Park

    Shila said:  Every state in the U.S. has an abundance of reserved land for the public to enjoy and for nature to thrive untouched. See which ones are near you and add a day of hiking, boating, canoeing, biking, or bird watching to your family summer bucket list!

    Upparent

    Have a Family Picnic

    Shila said:  Complete with a blanket and basket, one of my favorite family bucket list ideas is a picnic in the park (or even the backyard)! Packing the basket with picnic food is such an exciting activity for kids.

    Upparent

    Read a Whole Book Series

    Shila said:  Read a complete chapter book series! Kids are often very proud to say that they've accomplished this feat. Choose from any popular chapter books that your kids would be exited to read, from The Mouse and the Motorcycle to The Mysterious Benedict Society. You could read out loud as a family, too!

    Upparent

    Fly a Kite

    Shila said:  Keep an eye out for the prefect breezy day and go fly a kite for your summer bucket list!

    Upparent

    Giant Coloring Poster

    Kelly R said:  Keep a giant coloring poster rolled out on your dining room table with colored pencils fully stocked, and it can be a project that the family works on a little bit at a time all summer long. We love doing this while listening to audiobooks!

    Upparent

    Water Balloon Fight

    Shila said:  Fill up some water balloons and you know the rest! An eco-friendly, reusable alternative can be to make DIY water bombs. Just cut inexpensive dishwashing sponges into strips about an inch wide and 4 inches long. Then, tie a few strips together around the middle longwise, fan them out, soak and throw!

    Upparent

    Watch a Sunrise or Sunset

    Shila said:  Wake the gang early to capture a clear sunrise. A warm mug of hot chocolate will make the early wake-up easier, but opt for catching a sunset instead if that's more your style!

    Upparent

    Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

    Kelly R said:  Kids in grades 1-6 can participate in the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program, where they read 8 books during the summer and bring in a completed reading log to earn a free book! My kids love this one best because the prize selection is great and they get to choose it themselves, but many local libraries and bookstores offer similar challenges. Print out a reading log at the link to get started!

    Tara Winstead on Pexels

    Make Your Own Popsicles

    Alexandra F. said:  Use a popsicle mold to make your own refreshing summer treat. Try any of these simple popsicle recipes or experiment with pureed fruit, juice, yogurt, ice cream and more. See if you can come up with your family's favorite signature flavor before summer is out!

    Upparent

    Visit a National Park

    Shila said:  There are many family-friendly national parks in the USA, all magnificent in their own right.

    Upparent

    Send a Letter

    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.

Primary photo:   Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.