When the end of June comes you think what you should add to your summer bucket list. You reminisce about the fun activities you did when you were young. Then you make a list of new things you want to try. But you realize you don’t have that much time to complete everything you want before September or October comes.
That is why I came up with 30 summer goals you can do. These ideas are affordable and allow you to enjoy the season. I included indoor and outdoor ideas. So, when people ask you how your summer was you can say it was amazing!
Summer Bucket List: Outdoor Activities
1. Go to a Baseball Game
Go support your local high school baseball or even little league baseball games. They will be glad for the support, and you can make a nice family outing out.
2. Go to a drive-through or outdoor movie
Some places do have outdoor movie theaters. Check and see if there is any local ones near you.
3. Watch Fireworks
Around the Fourth of July, there will be a lot of free firework displays you can see. But most summer events start the evening off with fireworks. Check out your local newspaper or town website to see what events are being held in your hometown.
4. Go for a swim
Rather you swim in a kiddie pool, indoor pool, or the ocean you can enjoy a nice cool swim.
5. Go to a music festival
Spring and Summer are usually the times people have concerts or festivals. You can see local talent or big named stars at these festivals.
6. Go on a road trip
Take your best friend and go all Thelma and Louise style. With your sunglasses and the top down in your convertible. Or at least roll down your windows if you don’t own a convertible! LOL If you don’t want to travel very far, you can go to a local spot you have not been.
7. Camp out
You can go to a campsite or you can camp out in your own backyard.
8. Make s' mores
Nothing seems more like summer than making a bonfire and roasting s' mores. Make gourmet version by adding your favorite fruit and cookies together.
9. Have a water balloon fight
10. Go Fishing
Even though you may not be an expert fisherman, but you can try! It may surprise you what you may catch!
11. Attend a local Farmers Market
I know going to the farmer’s market does not sound spectacular, but it can be useful. You can find the freshest produce and goods to cook healthy meals. A bonus is you are supporting local farmers and vendors.
12. Attend a Yard Sale or Estate Sale
In the summer a lot of yard sales are held by churches or local organizations. This is a good time to support local charities.
13. Go to the Beach
Take your beach bag and your beach essentials. Enjoy the water and the sun with your family or go solo.
3. Watch Fireworks
Around the Fourth of July, there will be a lot of free firework displays you can see. But most summer events start the evening off with fireworks. Check out your local newspaper or town website to see what events are being held in your hometown.
4. Go for a swim
Rather you swim in a kiddie pool, indoor pool, or the ocean you can enjoy a nice cool swim.
5. Go to a music festival
Spring and Summer are usually the times people have concerts or festivals. You can see local talent or big named stars at these festivals.
6. Go on a road trip
Take your best friend and go all Thelma and Louise style. With your sunglasses and the top down in your convertible. Or at least roll down your windows if you don’t own a convertible! LOL If you don’t want to travel very far, you can go to a local spot you have not been.
7. Camp out
You can go to a campsite or you can camp out in your own backyard.
8. Make s' mores
Nothing seems more like summer than making a bonfire and roasting s' mores. Make gourmet version by adding your favorite fruit and cookies together.
9. Have a water balloon fight
10. Go Fishing
Even though you may not be an expert fisherman, but you can try! It may surprise you what you may catch!
11. Attend a local Farmers Market
I know going to the farmer’s market does not sound spectacular, but it can be useful. You can find the freshest produce and goods to cook healthy meals. A bonus is you are supporting local farmers and vendors.
12. Attend a Yard Sale or Estate Sale
In the summer a lot of yard sales are held by churches or local organizations. This is a good time to support local charities.
13. Go to the Beach
Take your beach bag and your beach essentials. Enjoy the water and the sun with your family or go solo.
14. Host a Cookout or Barbeque
If you have a grill, you can cook some of your favorite foods. You can invite you friends over. You can ask them to bring a dish, drink, or snack if they want too. For those who don’t have a grill, you can borrow or rent one.
15. Catch Fireflies
During summer fireflies (or lightning bugs) come outside at night. Fireflies are bugs that light up during the evening to attract mates or prey. If you live in the Eastern part of the US or visiting, you can see them. You can observe the fireflies flying or try to catch some of them. Of course, you let them go but it is fun to observe them.
16. Go to a State Park
17. Go to a garden
Most major cities have a garden that you can use local plants and flowers. Some are self-guided, while others have guides.
18. Go to a parade
Most towns have a parade around Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
18. Start a garden
Summer Bucket List: Indoor Activities
1. Make Ice cream sandwiches and an ice cream party
When I was younger, I and my sister would make ice cream sandwiches. We would use some of our favorite store brought cookies like Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies.
We would place our favorite store brought ice cream on one cookie and then place another cookie on top. If you want to make your own ice cream sandwich cookies from scratch here are a few websites with excellent recipes.
27 Homemade Icecream Sandwich via Country Living
Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe via NY Times
2. Have a Staycation
If you don’t enjoy traveling, you can do a staycation. You take a nap or spend a few hours by yourself. Once you rest you can spend time with your family doing any of these indoor or outdoor activities.
3. Have a tea party
4. See a new movie at your local theater
Summer is the time to watch blockbuster movies. New York Times has a great list of movies for the summer. My top favorite is Lion King and Toy Story 4.
5. Go to the museum
Museum during the summer sometimes offers free or discounted events.
6. Go to a library
Your local library is not just a source of information but also a place where you can get free movies and books. Check out your local library to see what new movies or books they may for the summer. Also, ask your local librarian what events are happening in the summer. Libraries usually have a summer reading program for children and even have events for the whole family.
7. Make popsicles
The temperatures are going up which means you crave certain treats. One of those treats is Make some healthy versions by pouring some delicious fruit, yogurt, and honey. Put the mixtures in popsicle molds and add wooden sticks. Then freeze for six hours. Then you can enjoy your nice treat!
8. Watch a Summer Movie Marathon
Get your favorite Block Buster Movies or watch a few classic summer movies. Here are some the movies you can start with:
"The Sandlot"
"West Side Story"
"It Takes Two"
"A Goofy Movie"
"Grease"
"Campnowhere"
"The Babysitters Club Movie"
"Independence Day"
"National Lampoon's Vacation"
"The Parent Trap (either version)"
"My Girl"
"Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's is Dead"
"Rear Window"
"Now and Then"
"Weekend at Bernie's"
"I Know What You Did Last Summer"
"Fried Green Tomatoes"
"Field of Dreams"
"Heavyweights"
"Scream"
"Jaws"
"Troop Beverly Hills"
9. Host a Potluck Dinner
Now is the time to host a potluck dinner. Invite your foodie friends and ask them to bring their favorite dish! Decorate your home with a nice floral centerpiece. If you don’t have a green thumb added faux florals instead. If florals aren’t your thing, add some twinkle lights or candles. Make a playlist of your favorite music. Then make some wonderful drinks, food, and then enjoy!
10. Read a new book
Need a book to read on the beach? Read a new book, it can be a genre you never read, a classic novel, or a recently released book. You may find a new favorite book!
11. Go to a thrift store
You can find some great items at your local thrift or consignment shop. Not only can you find fashion but books, dishes, knick-knacks, and other goods. You be surprised at what you may find when you go there.
12. Host a game night
Bring out your favorite games or buy your favorite games! Don’t forget to ask your guest to bring their favorite games. Make it but some of your favorite snacks and drinks for your friends or family to enjoy!
13. Have a Book Club
To host a book club find out who you want to invite. Then figure out what the purpose of the club would be. Discuss with those in the club on where you want to meet and what books you should nominate. Then define how what format you want the club to have.
For more ideas on how to start a book club, read this article by Penguin Random House.
14. Finish A DIY Project
Use a few of your weekends to complete those DIY Projects you never finished.
15. Have a Detox from Technology
Spend a day at home without using any of your technology. Spend time with friends or family. You can also use this time to spend time alone just relaxing or even learning a new thing. Whatever you do take time to enjoy your life and does around you.
16. Go to an aquarium
17. Go to a play
Most towns have a community theater or playhouse. You get a chance to see local talent perform new and old plays. Most of these events are affordable.
18. Go to a Winery
19. Got to a painting event or class
20. Got to an escape room.
If you like to solve mysteries and don't mind being in trapped in a room this would be a perfect event for you.
21. Attend a cooking class
22. Attend a dance class
23. Attend a workout class
Check my Current Faves Page for summer goodies to help you get started.
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