I just got back from a mission trip to Guatemala, where I helped bring water filters and the gospel to the locals. I left the day after the kids got out of school, so my husband got to kick off the summer with them with lots of fun activities. Now that I’m back, I want to make the most of our time together this summer. Creating a kids summer bucket list is a great way to ensure that every day is filled with fun and adventure. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the simplest activities create the best memories. Here are some ideas to get you started on making this summer unforgettable.
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Outdoor Adventures: Kids Summer Bucket List
- Backyard Camping
Set up a tent in the backyard, bring out the sleeping bags, and have a night under the stars. Make s’mores, tell ghost stories, and enjoy the experience of camping without leaving home. - Water Balloon Fight
Fill up some water balloons and let the kids go wild. It’s a refreshing way to beat the heat and burn off some energy. Plus, it’s easy to clean up. - Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items found in nature, like a pinecone, a feather, or a certain type of leaf. Head to a nearby park or nature trail and see how many items your kids can find. This activity is fun and educational. - Visit a Farmers’ Market
Spend a morning at a local farmers’ market. Let the kids pick out fresh fruits and vegetables. This can be a great way to teach them about healthy eating and where food comes from.
Kids Summer Bucket List: Creative Fun
- DIY Tie-Dye Shirts
Grab some white shirts and a tie-dye kit. Let the kids create their own colorful designs. This activity is a bit messy but so much fun, and they’ll have a unique shirt to wear all summer long. - Chalk Art on the Driveway
Give the kids some sidewalk chalk and let their imaginations run wild. They can create colorful murals, play hopscotch, or even draw a city for their toy cars. - Homemade Ice Cream
Making ice cream at home can be a blast. There are many simple recipes online that don’t require an ice cream maker. Let the kids choose their favorite flavors and mix-ins.
Educational Summer Kid Bucket List Activities
- Library Visit
Take a trip to the local library and let the kids pick out some books. Many libraries also offer summer reading programs with fun incentives to encourage kids to keep reading over the break. - Science Experiments
Simple science experiments can be both fun and educational. Make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or create slime with glue and borax. There are plenty of easy experiments you can do with household items. - Museum Day
Visit a local museum. Many museums have special exhibits and interactive displays that are perfect for kids. Check for free admission days or discounts.
Physical Summer Bucket List Activities for Kids
- Bike Rides
Plan a family bike ride. Find a safe trail or park and spend an afternoon riding together. It’s a great way to get some exercise and explore new places. - Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in the backyard. Use items like pool noodles, hula hoops, and cones to create challenges for the kids to navigate. You can even time them to see who completes it the fastest. - Swimming
Whether it’s at the local pool, a lake, or the ocean, swimming is always a hit with kids. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. Just remember the sunscreen!
Relaxing Kids Summer Bucket List Activities
- Picnic in the Park
Pack a lunch and head to a nearby park for a picnic. Bring a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy a leisurely meal outside. The kids can play after they eat. - Stargazing
On a clear night, lay out a blanket and look up at the stars. You can use a stargazing app to help identify constellations. This is a peaceful way to end a summer day. - Family Movie Night
Set up an outdoor movie night with a projector, or just gather in the living room. Let the kids choose a movie, make some popcorn, and enjoy a cozy night together.
Helping Others: Kids Summer Bucket List
- Community Service
Find a local charity or community project that the whole family can help with. Whether it’s cleaning up a park or volunteering at a food bank, giving back can be a rewarding experience for kids. - Bake Sale
Organize a bake sale to raise money for a cause your kids care about. They can help bake the treats and sell them. It’s a great way to teach them about charity and business.
Indoor Activities
- Board Game Marathon
On a rainy day, pull out the board games and have a marathon. Let each family member pick their favorite game to play. It’s a great way to spend time together and enjoy some friendly competition. - Cooking Lessons
Spend some time in the kitchen teaching the kids how to cook their favorite meals. Let them help with measuring, mixing, and even tasting. It’s a valuable skill they’ll use for life.
Adventure Days
- Visit a New Playground
Find a playground in a different part of town that you’ve never been to. Kids love exploring new play structures and making new friends. - Zoo or Aquarium Trip
Spend a day at the zoo or aquarium. These places often have interactive exhibits and shows that are perfect for kids. Check for any special summer events or programs.
Special Treats
- Lemonade Stand
Help the kids set up a lemonade stand. They can learn about handling money and customer service. Plus, it’s a classic summer activity. - Make a Summer Scrapbook
Throughout the summer, take pictures and collect mementos from your activities. At the end of the season, put everything together in a scrapbook. It’s a great way to remember all the fun you had.
Quiet Time
- Reading Challenge
Set a reading goal for the summer and track progress. Reward the kids when they reach their goal with a special treat or outing. - Puzzles and Crafts
Keep a stash of puzzles and craft supplies for quiet afternoons. This can be a nice break from more active days.
Fun with Friends
- Sleepover Party
Let your kids invite a few friends over for a sleepover. Plan some fun activities like a movie marathon or a mini talent show. It’s a great way for them to bond with their friends. - Backyard Olympics
Organize a series of fun, competitive games for the kids and their friends. You can have events like a sack race, three-legged race, or a water balloon toss.
Kids Summer Bucket List: Family Traditions
- Family BBQ
Host a family BBQ with all the summer favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob. Let the kids help with the cooking and setting up. - Annual Photo Day
Choose a day each summer to take family photos. Pick a fun location and make it a tradition. It’s a great way to document how everyone grows and changes each year.
Special Kids Summer Bucket List Activities
Making a kids summer bucket list truly special means adding activities that are a bit out of the ordinary, ones that create unforgettable experiences. Here are some unique ideas that will make this summer stand out for your kids.
Unique Kids Summer Bucket List Activities
Glow Stick Night
Transform your backyard into a magical wonderland with glow sticks. Hang them from trees, make glow stick jewelry, and have a nighttime dance party. The kids will love the glowing fun and the chance to stay up late.
Geocaching Adventure
Join the global treasure hunt of geocaching. Use a GPS-enabled device to find hidden containers called geocaches. It’s a great way to explore new areas and enjoy a sense of adventure and discovery.
Backyard Movie Theater
Create an outdoor movie theater in your backyard. Hang a white sheet, set up a projector, and have a movie night under the stars. Don’t forget the popcorn and cozy blankets.
Build a Fairy Garden
Spark your kids’ imagination by creating a fairy garden. Use small plants, twinkling lights, and miniature furniture to make a magical space for fairies to visit. It’s a creative project that can grow over the summer.
DIY Escape Room
Design a DIY escape room at home. Create puzzles and clues for the kids to solve within a set time limit. This can be a fun and challenging activity that encourages teamwork and problem-solving.
Astronomy Night
Spend an evening stargazing with a telescope or binoculars. Try to spot planets, constellations, and even shooting stars. Use a stargazing app to identify what you see and learn more about the night sky.
Special Kids Summer Bucket List Activities
Cultural Cooking Nights
Choose a different country each week and cook a traditional meal from that culture. Involve the kids in the cooking process, and learn about the country’s customs and traditions. It’s a delicious way to explore the world from your kitchen.
Visit an Alpaca Farm
Find a local alpaca farm and plan a visit. These gentle animals are fascinating to meet, and many farms offer tours and opportunities to interact with the alpacas. It’s a unique experience that the kids will talk about for years.
Firefly Catching
On warm summer nights, head outside with jars and catch fireflies. Teach the kids to gently catch and release these magical insects. It’s a simple, timeless activity that never fails to enchant.
Art in the Park
Pack up some art supplies and head to a local park. Let the kids draw or paint what they see around them. This activity combines creativity with nature and can lead to some beautiful artwork to display at home.
Homemade Ice Cream Truck
Turn your kitchen into an ice cream truck for a day. Make different flavors of homemade ice cream, create toppings, and let the kids “order” their treats. They can even decorate their own ice cream cups.
Themed Days
Plan themed days throughout the summer. Have a Pirate Day with treasure hunts and costumes, a Space Day with rocket building and moon walks, or a Dinosaur Day with fossil digs and dino crafts. Themed days make everyday activities feel like a special event.
Animal Shelter Volunteering
Spend a day volunteering at an animal shelter. Many shelters welcome families to help with tasks like walking dogs, cleaning cages, or socializing with the animals. It’s a rewarding way to teach kids about compassion and responsibility.
More Bucket List Inspiration
Sunflower Planting
Plant sunflowers in your garden or in pots. Sunflowers grow quickly and are easy to care for, making them perfect for kids. Watching the flowers grow and eventually bloom can be a magical experience.
Magic Show
Learn a few magic tricks and put on a magic show for family and friends. Teach the kids some simple tricks and let them be the stars of the show. It’s a fun way to build confidence and entertain everyone.
Outdoor Art Installation
Create an outdoor art installation using natural materials like sticks, stones, and leaves. Let the kids build sculptures or make land art that blends into the environment. It’s a great way to combine creativity and outdoor play.
Family Talent Show
Organize a family talent show where everyone can showcase their unique skills. Whether it’s singing, dancing, magic tricks, or comedy, this activity is all about celebrating each other’s talents and having fun together.
Travel the World in Your Backyard
Create a “passport” for your kids and have different areas of your backyard represent different countries. Set up small activities or crafts that relate to each country. Stamp their passports as they “travel” around the world.
DIY Water Park
Turn your backyard into a mini water park. Set up sprinklers, slip and slides, and kiddie pools. Add water balloons and water guns for extra fun. It’s a fantastic way to cool down and have a blast on hot days.
Giant Bubble Making
Make giant bubbles using a homemade bubble solution and a bubble wand. There are plenty of recipes online for creating strong bubbles. Watching and popping these huge bubbles will bring joy and laughter.
Final Thoughts
With these ideas, your kids summer bucket list will be full of activities that keep everyone happy and busy. Summer is a time for making memories, and these simple, fun activities are the perfect way to do just that.
