As June comes to a close, you start pondering additions 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 have little time to complete everything you want before September or October.
I came up with over 30 summer goals you can do. These ideas are affordable and allow you to enjoy the season. I included indoor and outdoor ideas. When people ask how your summer was, you can say it was amazing!
Summer Bucket List: Outdoor Activities
1. Go to a Baseball Game.
Support your local high school baseball or even little league baseball games. They will be glad for the support, and you can have a nice family outing.
2. Go to a drive-through or outdoor movie
Some places have outdoor movie theaters. Find out if there are any local ones close to you.
3. Watch Fireworks Around the Fourth of July.
There will be a lot of free fireworks 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 happening in your hometown.
4. Go for a swim
Whether you swim in a kiddie pool, indoor pool, or the ocean, you can enjoy a cool swim.
5. Go to a music festival.
Spring and summer are the time people have concerts or festivals. You can see local talent or big-name stars at these festivals.
Take your best friend or your family on a road trip. If you don’t want to travel far, you can go to a local spot you have not been to.
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 a 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 fisher, 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. Discover the freshest produce and goods for cooking nutritious meals. A bonus is you are supporting local farmers and vendors.
12. Attend a Yard Sale or Estate Sale
In the summer churches or local organizations hold a lot of yard sales. 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 your friends over. You can ask them to bring a dish, drink, or snack if they want. 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 where 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 the Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
19. Start a garden
If you enjoy the outdoors and have a green thumb, starting a garden is a great idea. You can have a small vegetable garden or a fruit garden. First, find a location in your yard that has access to sunlight. Most vegetables need at least six to eight hours of sunlight. Dark leafy greens will need some shade. Your location should also drain well and not have standing water. Avoid areas that receive high winds or a lot of foot traffic. Check the quality of your soil. You will need rich-quality soil for plants to grow. Check which plants can grow in your area. To check for your growing zone, go to the USDA website to find your hardiness of the zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map will let out what zone you are in. Once you find that out, you can search which plants will grow in your zone. If you want flowers, you can have a floral 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-bought cookies, like Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies.
We would place our favorite store-bought ice cream on one cookie and then place another cookie on top. Making ice cream sandwich cookies from scratch would also be a fun activity to do.
27 Homemade Ice cream 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.
3. Have a tea party
4. See a new movie at your local theater
Summer is the time to watch blockbuster movies. The 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 to find free movies and books. Check out your local library to see what new movies or books they may have 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 events for the whole family.
7. Make popsicles
The temperatures are going up which means you crave certain treats. One of those treats is to 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 of 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 add 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, and 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 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 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 do around you.
Never had sushi before, now is the time to try. Think about a food you never had and try it. Look for the best restaurant that specializes in that dish. Take a look and see if there are any restaurant deals or specials. Also, find out if you have to make reservations to go. If you do not want to go out, you can always order the dish to be sent to your home. For those who love to cook, you can try to make a new dish. Search for recipes and then check to see if you have any ingredients on hand. Don’t have the ingredients you need? Get what you need by ordering online and opting for delivery. You can also make a quick run to the store.
