30 Summer Bucket List Ideas for an Epic Experience

May 23rd! Can you believe it? Today is my last day of high school and I thought I would share some of the things that I’ve added to my summer bucket list. With everything around me changing in these next few months, I want to make sure that I spend this time coming up with the people I love, and making memories that I’ll remember forever.

Whether you’re also a graduate and looking for some fun ideas to cherish these last moments or you’re someone who already knows that you get pretty bored during the summer, take a look at the suggestions below to start getting excited about summer!

Even better, use some of these ideas as inspiration to create your own summer bucket list at home!

My 2022 Summer Bucket List

1. Start a Summer Journal – Buy a small journal to keep track of all your summer adventures! You could even buy a mini Instax camera to have photo memories from each day.
2. See the Sunrise – Start your day off on the right foot by waking up early with friends/family to go see beautiful views.
3. Visit an Amusement Park – Find the closest fun park near you and spend the day going on rides and eating food!
4. Go Hiking – Put on your sneakers and head to a local trail to spend the day having fun and getting exercise.
5. Make Popsicles – Grab an inexpensive set of popsicle molds and fill them with smoothie mix or fresh fruit and juice.
6. Go Stargazing – Lay out a blanket in the yard and stare up at the wonders above you. It could be even better if you have a telescope!
7. Have a Picnic in the Park – Pack up a basket or cooler with delicious food and find a spot in your local park with friends!
8. Play in the Sprinkler/ Have a Water Balloon Fight – Buy some water balloons (or sprinkler) from Dollar Tree and have some backyard fun on a hot day.
9. Play in the Sand – You’re never too old to build a good sandcastle. Spend a day at the beach just playing!
10. Have a Movie Marathon – Choose a series…Star Wars? High School Musical? Harry Potter? Whatever you choose, don’t forget to bring the popcorn!
11. Have a Game Night – Grab your closest family and friends and play a variety of board games with yummy snacks 🙂
12. Toast Marshmallows/Make Smores – Set up a bonfire outside and eat this delicious homemade dessert.
13. Go to the Drive-In – Buy fun snacks and load your car up with blankets and pillows for a cozy, fun-filled night.
14. Go for a Bike Ride – Hop on your bike (or rent if you don’t have one!) and take a breezy ride in your neighborhood or on a trail.
15. Visit to the Zoo – Get tickets for a day trip to your local zoo and spend the day hanging out with all different kinds of animals.
16. Plant a Garden – Whether it’s one potted plant or a large raised bed, enjoy the routine of getting outside and watering a plant each day.
17. Play Mini Golf – Spend an afternoon outside with family or friends testing your putting skills 🙂
18. Go Thrift Shopping – Take a trip over to your local thrift store and see what you can find!
19. Make Homemade Ice Cream – Use this cool recipe to make ice cream right from your own home.
20. Stay Up All Night – Host a slumber party and see if you can all stay up the entire night together.
21. Paint Rocks – Collect rocks from the beach or just outside your home and paint them however you’d like! Check these ones out for ideas 🙂
22. Go Swimming – Who can go the entire summer without swimming somewhere? Whether it’s a pool, a beach, a lake, make sure you go cool off someplace on those hot days.
23. Go Out to Breakfast – Find a cute brunch place nearby and spend the morning eating yummy food.
24. Make Homemade Pizza – Have a pizza night! Grab all of the ingredients you need and have fun playing with different dough shapes and toppings.
25. Read a Book – Pick up that book you’ve been wanting to read for a while now that you have some free time. Maybe even challenge yourself to read a certain number of books by the end of summer 🙂
26. Go Bowling – Grab your friends and have an exciting afternoon or night filled with competition and laughter.
27. Go Fruit Picking – Take a trip outside to your nearest fruit farm and pick away! Check out this link for advice on what you need to know before you go.
28. Do a Puzzle – Perfect for a rainy summer day (or a sunny one!), work with others or alone to complete such a challenge.
29. Dance in the Rain – Play music and just have fun being outside: dancing, singing, whatever makes you happy!
30. Watch the Sunset – Find a place with an open view, and enjoy seeing the beautiful scene.