The Ultimate List of Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids (+ free printable)

This year I wanted to try the summer bucket list for my family because it sounds fun and different. 

Are you also trying to make this the best summer ever? Or find summer bucket list ideas for this summer?

Lately, I have been busy talking about self-development, goal setting, and motivation that I didn’t want to forget about fun.

It’s the relaxing parts of life that help with growth. Besides, I love printables and couldn’t turn down a summer bucket list for kids printable!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST FOR KIDS

What is a Summer Bucket List?

Originally, the word summer bucket list came for the term root “bucket list” which is a list of things you would like to do in your life before you “kick the bucket” as known as die. 

The summer version put a twist on it by deciding what you want to do before the summer is over. How fun is that!

Your summer bucket list gives you some direction of what you want to do with your summer, so you don’t lose track of the summer break.

We all have those moments when summer comes so fast that it’s back to school season once you look up. 

Types of Bucket Lists

Here are some examples of categories for family bucket lists.

• Educational: Things that help kids grow or learn something new
• Outdoors: Ideas for outdoor family projects and local adventures
• Places to Go:  Places, landmarks, theme parks to visit as a family
• Indoor: things to do on rainy days or when you need to relax
• Age Specific: Things to do before based on the age or the child

What Should You Put on Your Summer Bucket List?

Anything you and your family will enjoy doing this summer should be added to your summer bucket list printable.

My husband and I sat down with the kids 11, 5, and 1 and basically asked them what they wanted to do for the summer.

It was a variation of things from Chucky Cheese, Chick Fil A (obviously they are making this too easy), the Disney Cruise to Universal Studios ( which will be done in October).

We filled in everything in between to range from fun summer activities ideas to keep them from being bored at home to trying things that they never did before. 

As both working parents finding things to do has been the most difficult part. So I round up summer bucket list for families below!

How to Start Your List of things to do in the Summer?

Create a List

I would recommend asking the kids what they want to first.

Then after listing their recommendations look on the printable list for things they may have never thought of.

If you have little kids, then you can look at the list and add things that are age appropriate and you would enjoy doing as well.

For us, we normally run into a problem when trying to go places that our 12-year old would enjoy but 1 year old can’t participate in or vise verse.

So we explain the expectations and that somethings will be for supporting purposes.

Grab the entire 11-page summer planner with a Chore chart, Summer Monthly Calendar, Reading Log

Yes! I need this.

Add to the Printable

After you gathered everyone’s ideas you can either type up, use a blank paper or write it out into different categories using the printable because it makes things easier to plan.

Then take that list and put it on the fridge as motivation to keep the kids accountable and completing chores.

We may use them completing daily tasks as a way to reward them by picking something off the bucket list instead of paying allowance. 

I am in the process of creating a summer chore chart, let me know if your interested.

Put it on the schedule

Now, it doesn’t make any sense to do all this work and not actually have a plan on how to execute doing summer activities.

As busy parents, there are so many demands in life from sports, doctors appointments, a full-time job, and personal passion in life that finding time to fit trips onto your schedule required much-needed PLANNING.

Grab your planner to fill in what you can so you don’t overbook yourself.

I use my mom planner because it has all my needs for goals, meal planning, and life organization.

Also, be realistic this is not a competition of how many places you can check off the list within three months.

We already feel guilty enough we don’t need to add any other guilt to our list.

Instead, tell the children that all the things on the list will not happen this summer but if you can fit it in throughout the year then you will.

Like I mention my kids want to go to Universal Studio which requires money and planning.

We are not going during the summer because its too much money, too hot and the lines are too long. They are still excited that it’s happening, so they are okay with it not being done for the summer.

Basically, keep it real with yourself and the kids!

Are your Ready to plan the best summer ever?

Educational Summer Activities for Kids

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

I am all for personal growth and making dreams happen!

So, it only makes sense that I will find things that help kids grow over the summer.

I started installing in my kids early the importance of goal setting, self-discovery, and structure.

Here are some awesome activities I found which are for the older kids ( 5 and up).

• Apple Camp–  explore music, coding, movie making, or art design( ages 8-12, free) 
  
• Volunteering Opportunities-  VolunteerMatch.org
  
• Journal Prompts for Kids that can be done to encourage growth 
  
• Science Projects-  There is nothing like awesome science project experiments 
  
• Make costumes- any arts a craft store would work
  
• Local Arts and Crafts Class
  
• Microsoft Free Summer Camp Event
  
• Make a Vision Board of all Your Dreams & Goals

• Try a New Food
  
• Create a Youtube Video
  
• Do one thing you are Afraid of
  
• Write yourself a love letter
  
• Bake a Recipe 
  
• Learn to cook a new meal- have you seen the tasty app
  
• Do a challenge- 12 YouTube Challenges Your kid will Try
  
• Practice a new language
  
• Support a Foundation by doing a Walk or Run
  
• Learn how to become a Kidpreneurs

Outdoor Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families

There are so many things to do outside and many don‘t even cost anything.

These suggestion are great if you are trying to stay under a certain budget or just don’t feel like spending money.

• Go fishing
  
• Look for rocks to paint
  
• Take a nature walk
  
• Blow bubbles
  
• Sit outside and stare at stars
  
• Build a sandcastle

• Fly a kite
  
  
• Have a picnic
  
  
• Go on a playdate 
  
  
• Play Frisbee
  
  
• Play Baseball
  
  
• Go to the Beach and Collect Seashells
  
  
• Bonfire and S’mores
  
  
• Play with the best outdoor toys

For more amazing outdoor bucket list ideas checkout FamilyGrowthLife

Places To Go (baby, toddler And Teens Summer Activity List)

There are so many fun things to do in the summer that is more adventurous or require a road trip.

And even though it can be challenging to find places for everyone, the list below has a variety of summer bucket list activities for kids.

• Amusement Park-  Find Amusement Parks State by State 

• Water Park

• Bating Cage

• SkyZone

• Roller Skating Ring- kidsskatefree.com

• Bowling – check out kidsbowlfree.com

• National Park- Every kid in the park.com

• Movies- Regal Cinema has $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday

• Library- Check your local library for events or to download books

• HomeDepot-  Free workshops to learn a new skill (5-12) 

• Treasure Hunting – geocaching.com

• Microsoft Free Workshops – Find out if your store is offering these workshops here.

• Chuck E. Cheese- They have promotions on the website.

• Museums- We live in the Washington, D.C area where Smithsonian museums are free

• Go to the Zoo- to find one close to you click here

• Head to the Aquarium for locations click here

• Dave and Busters- check Groupon for deals

• Putt Putt Golf – fun for all ages

• Sesame Place- if you live on the East Coast its a fun theme park for all ages we took the kids when they were babies too

• Go to a Baseball game- Stubhub or Ticketmaster

• Go see a Basketball game

• Kids Event shows – Facebook has great list of Events

• Bounce House- BouceU, PumpitUp, or local Bouncy areas on Yelp

• Arcade- MainEvent and Dave and Busters.

• Go Karts Riding

• Adventure Camps- find camping grounds

• BackYard Camping- yes for those who don’t want to go into the woods… Like me. We use the Coleman Dome Tent because its easy to put up.

• Go to a local Carnival or State Fair- Check your state webpage for details. in Maryland? Click here.

• Indoor Sky Diving

• Indoor rock climbing

• Community Center for Swimming- we have a community pool which makes going swimming easy.
  
• Go to the beach

Indoor Summer Fun Ideas

Not every day will you have the chance to go outside it could be due to the weather, you’re too tired or want to stay in and relax.

Have a staycation!

That doesn’t mean the kids have to be bored for the summer. They can find things to do around the house the are enjoyable.

Granted depending on the age of the child will determine how involved you have to be with the activities.

• Have a Game Night

• Puzzels

• Board Games- fun family board game list my son loves Monopoly

• Card Games

• Hide and Seek

• Make Indoor Smores

• Treasure Hunt

• Neighborhood  Game Night- My Tuesday Therapy 

• Dance Battle

• Rent a Movie- sign up for Redbox to get free rentals

• Make a time capsule sound fun Abrozo and Coze

• Create your own Storybook- for steps visit Preemie Mom Tips

• Make Sock Puppets And Put On A Play

Final Thoughts

Over summer vacation is a great way to fit in fun things to do that you normally can’t get done while the kids are in school.

Sitting down and coming up with a list of things to do for the summer was fun, and it helped us bond as a family, especially when they had to come up with ideas for the baby.

I enjoy the summer bucket list idea because its a great way to set the expectation early for the summer because it comes and goes quickly.

What are some things on your to do list this summer?