The Ultimate Summer Bucket List: What To Do, Places To Go, & Things to Make
It’s almost that time of year again… summer is nearing, which means school will be out and your kiddos will officially be home again for a few months!
While this time can be super exciting as a family, most parents know to anticipate the dreaded “I’m bored” conversation that kids inevitably hit us with just a few days into summer break.
I’m all too familiar with this with my two boys, which is why I try my hardest to prepare for this season ahead of time and have a bank of ideas to fill our time.
Summer is truly the season of endless possibilities, filled with warm weather, long days, and boundless opportunities for adventure and I’m a firm believer that we should soak this time in as much as possible while we can!
Whether you're seeking thrilling experiences, exploring new destinations, or simply looking for creative ways to make the most of the season, creating a summer bucket list is the perfect way to capture the essence of summer fun.
In this blog post, I’m sharing the ultimate summer bucket list where you’ll get countless ideas for exciting activities, must-visit places, and DIY projects to add to your summer bucket list to keep your kids (and YOU!) entertained and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Free or Inexpensive Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer
Backyard Camping 🏕️
If your kids are anything like mine, they love anything that feels like a unique adventure and backyard camping is always a hit! For this, all you have to do is set up a tent in the backyard and let them spend a night under the stars.
Make the most of the night by sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows, and sharing stories so that it feels like a true camping trip.
Nature Scavenger Hunt 🌿
Create a list of items for your kids to find in nature, such as specific leaves, flowers, or wildlife and then visit local parks or nature trails together to see who can find everything on the list first.
DIY Outdoor Movie Night 🍿
Movie nights are a big family favorite around here, but you can take it even further this summer by having a movie night outdoors! Project a movie onto a blank wall or a white sheet in your backyard and set up blankets, pillows, and snacks for a cozy outdoor movie experience under the stars.
Here’s a go-to guide to making your at home movie night the best it can be!
Picnic in the Park 🧺
Make lunch a little less boring by packing a picnic basket with sandwiches, snacks, and refreshing drinks and head to a nearby park for a leisurely picnic. Afterwards, let the kids run around, play on the playground, and enjoy the sunshine for a few hours!
PRO TIP: invest in a snack caddy like this or this to make snack time more fun and customized for each kiddo so everyone can have their own without having to fight over the good stuff!
Library Storytime 📚
Many local libraries offer free or low-cost storytime sessions for children, so go ahead and gather your library's schedule and plan to attend a storytime session for some educational and entertaining fun.
Places To Go With Your Kids This Summer To Keep Them Entertained
Visit a Farmer's Market 💐
Explore a local farmer's market with your kids and let them pick out fresh fruits, vegetables, and other goodies to take home! It's a fun way to support local farmers, teach your kids about healthy eating, and discover new flavors together.
Community Pool 🏊🏻♀️
Nothing says summer quite like a dip in the pool! Spend the day splashing around in the water, soaking up the sun on the pool deck, or participating in poolside games and activities.
PRO TIP: most community pools have seasonal memberships, so if you know you’ll want to frequent the pool often, it may be worth looking into. Oh and bring your own lunch or snacks so the kids are tempted by the concession stand!
Local Museums 🏛️
Need a rainy day activity? Stay indoors by exploring the local museums that you probably haven’t ventured into in years!
Spend a day wandering through the galleries, learning something new, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the world around you.
PRO TIP: many museums offer free or discounted admission days, making it an affordable and enriching summer activity for the whole family.
Community Events 🗓️
Keep an eye out for free or low-cost community events happening in your area, such as outdoor concerts, movie screenings, festivals, or art fairs. It's a great way to discover new activities and connect with your community without breaking the bank.
PRO TIP: visit your local chamber of commerce website to find a list of local community events to add to your calendar!
Spend the Day in a Neighboring City 🚘
If you’re really needing a way to escape the boredom, venture over to a neighboring city for the day! It’s crazy how kids tend to have more fun on a playground they aren’t as familiar with and how much they love exploring new areas.
You can pack the car with all of your necessities for the day, including snacks and lunches if you want, so you really aren't spending a whole lot of extra money!
Things To Make With Your Kids This Summer
Homemade Popsicles 🍓
We all know that summertime is the season of yummy treats, but sometimes it can get out of hand, so if you want to limit the sugary snacks, let your kids get creative in the kitchen by making their own popsicles.
Use fruit juice, yogurt, fresh fruit chunks, or even pureed vegetables for healthy and refreshing treats.
DIY Bird Feeders 🐦
Craft homemade bird feeders using recycled materials such as pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed and then hang them in your backyard and watch as birds flock to enjoy the tasty snacks.
Suncatchers ☀️
For this colorful craft, all you need is tissue paper, contact paper, and cardboard. Cut out various shapes and sizes, then let your kids arrange the tissue paper to design their own unique suncatchers to hang in the window.
Nature Collages 🖼️
Remember that nature walk I mentioned above? Use the items they collected to create beautiful nature collages on paper or cardboard, allowing your kids to express their creativity and connection to the outdoors.
Tie-Dye T-Shirts 🎨
Who else remembers the iconic tie-dye parties as a kid? I know I do! Bring back the nostalgia with your kids as they transform plain white t-shirts into vibrant works of art. Use rubber bands and fabric dye to create unique patterns and designs, then let the shirts dry and wash them according to the dye instructions.
Homemade Playdough 🥣
If you have little ones who are really into playdough, level things up a bit by making your own, using simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Let your kids mix and knead the dough to create their own colorful creations!
Overall, your summer at home with your kids doesn’t have to be an endless cycle of waking up, watching TV, playing outside, and dirtying the kitchen for hours on end.
There is a way to make each summer day feel special and exciting WITHOUT breaking the bank! My hope is that with this list you feel empowered to take on the summer season with your kids and enjoy it every step of the way.
I’d love to know – what’s your favorite must do activity in the summer with your kiddos? Connect with me on Instagram and let me know!
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