Let’s be real, summer always feels like it’s going to last forever… until it doesn’t. One minute you’re sleeping in ‘til noon, the next you’re stressing over back-to-school supplies.
So what are you supposed to do in between? Scroll TikTok for hours? Meh. Or you could actually do something memorable. That’s where a good summer bucket list comes in.
Nothing fancy, just a list of stuff I thought would be fun. Some ideas were kind of ridiculous, others were surprisingly cool. So if you’re bored already or just want to make the most of your break, here are some bucket list ideas that are fun, low-stress, and 100% teen-approved.
1. Outdoor Adventures
1.1. Have a Themed Picnic
Ever thought about a picnic but with a twist? Try a retro picnic with vintage blankets and snacks, or a beach-themed one with tropical fruits and coolers full of lemonade. Extra points if you play old-school music on a portable speaker!
1.2. Night Sky Stargazing
Find a place away from city lights and just lay back. Bring some blankets, snacks, and maybe a stargazing app to identify constellations. Who knows, you might see a shooting star (and make a wish!).
1.3. Go for a Night Swim
Even if it’s not super hot, nighttime swimming is a whole different vibe. You don’t have to worry about the sun, and everything just feels cooler. Grab your friends, head to the pool, and enjoy the stars above you.
1.4. Take a Long Hike to a Hidden Spot
Find a nearby trail and hike to a less-frequented spot. It could be a beautiful lookout, a quiet creek, or a cool forest with the perfect spot to chill and just breathe. FYI, hiking is way cooler than you think, and it’s an awesome way to unplug.
1.5. Sunrise or Sunset Photoshoots
Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or just love cool pics, waking up early for a sunrise or catching a sunset can lead to some pretty epic shots. Don’t forget your phone! 🙂
2. Chill Vibes
2.1. DIY Tie-Dye Party
It doesn’t get more classic than this. Grab some old white shirts, a few tie-dye kits, and get creative. Whether you go for bold rainbow patterns or just keep it chill with pastel swirls, you’ll have a blast and some custom shirts for the rest of summer.
2.2. Read a Book Under a Tree
Pick a book you’ve been wanting to read but haven’t gotten around to. Find a quiet spot outside, lay down a blanket, and read in the fresh air. The best part? You get to enjoy both the story and the outdoors!
2.3. Have a DIY Spa Day
Turn your bathroom into a spa for the day. Face masks, bubble baths, and maybe even some DIY sugar scrubs. If you’re feeling extra, light some candles, play calming music, and pretend you’re at a fancy resort. 😌
2.4. Binge a New Series or Movie Marathon
This one’s simple but satisfying. Pick a series or movie franchise you’ve never watched before (maybe something super hyped up), and settle in with popcorn for a marathon.
2.5. Learn to Juggle (It’s Harder Than You Think)
Why not try something new like juggling? It’s surprisingly tricky but also a great way to kill time and impress your friends. Plus, you’ll totally feel like a circus performer once you get the hang of it.
3. Creative Projects
3.1. Start a Summer Journal
Write down all the cool things you’re doing this summer. Whether you just jot down memories or add doodles and photos, it’s fun to look back on at the end of the season.
3.2. Create a Vision Board
Gather some magazines (or just print things out from the web) and create a vision board for your goals, dreams, or just some cool aesthetic vibes. It’s not only artsy but also motivating when you see it every day.
3.3. Learn Photography Tricks
You know those amazing Instagram photos? Yeah, you can take them too. Take a class or just look up tutorials and practice with your camera or phone. It’s a creative way to document your summer and level up your social media feed.
3.4. Design a Personal Clothing Line
Use fabric paints, old t-shirts, and accessories to design your own clothes. Maybe turn a hoodie into something custom or add your personal touch to some jeans. Trust me, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind wardrobe.
3.5. Film a Mini Movie or Skit
Gather your friends (or siblings) and create a short film. You can either do something funny, dramatic, or just a quirky little skit. It’s an awesome way to bond and get creative on a shoestring budget.
4. Group Fun
4.1. Throw a Backyard Camping Night
You don’t have to go to the woods to camp. Set up a tent in the backyard, make s’mores, and tell ghost stories around a campfire. Bonus points if you actually sleep out under the stars!
4.2. Host a DIY Talent Show
Everyone’s got a hidden talent, right? Why not put on a talent show with your friends? From singing to weird party tricks, it’s fun and funny.
4.3. Have a Virtual Movie Night
Can’t get together with friends in person? No problem! Use a platform like Teleparty to watch a movie together, even from different locations. Throw in some popcorn, and you’re set.
4.4. Create a Summer Playlist and Share It
Make a collaborative playlist with your friends. Each person adds their favorite tracks, and you can listen to it all summer long. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite song!
4.5. Take a Road Trip to a Nearby Town
Grab a group of friends, pick a nearby town you’ve never visited, and just explore. Whether it’s a small, quirky place or a well-known tourist stop, you’ll have a blast just seeing something new.
5. Solo Fun
5.1. Learn a New Skill (Cooking, Drawing, etc.)
Pick something that you’ve always wanted to get better at and spend some time mastering it. Whether it’s learning how to cook a new recipe, improving your drawing, or trying a new workout routine, summer is the perfect time to focus on a personal project.
5.2. Try a Digital Detox
Okay, it sounds a little extreme, but trust me, a short digital detox – like a day or even a weekend—can feel super refreshing. Just leave your phone aside and enjoy being present. It’s a serious reset.
5.3. Volunteer for a Cause You Care About
Take some time to help out in your community. Whether it’s volunteering at an animal shelter, helping out at a food bank, or assisting with local cleanups, it’s a meaningful way to spend some summer days.
5.4. Get Into Yoga or Meditation
If you’ve been curious about mindfulness, summer’s the time to dive in. There are plenty of free online resources to help you start your yoga or meditation journey. You might just find that it’s your new favorite thing.
5.5. Redesign Your Room
Change up your space by rearranging the furniture, adding new decor, or painting a wall. Sometimes a small change is all it takes to give you a fresh vibe for the summer.
6. Low-Key Fun That’s Still Kinda Awesome
6.1. Build a Fort (Yes, Even as a Teen)
Don’t roll your eyes. Blanket forts are still cool if you do them right. Think fairy lights, snacks, movies on a tablet. It’s low effort and high comfort, aka perfect.
6.2. Try Geocaching
Think of it like a treasure hunt with GPS. There are apps that help you find hidden “caches” in parks, cities, and random spots near you. It’s kinda nerdy—but in a fun, adventurous way.
6.3. Make a Smoothie Recipe That’s Actually Good
Not the watery banana mess you tried before. I’m talking frozen berries, almond butter, maybe even oats or matcha. Play around until you make one you’d actually pay for.
6.4. Paint Rocks and Leave Them Around Town
It’s simple: paint a cool design or positive message on a rock, then leave it somewhere random. It’s a fun creative thing to do, and someone might smile when they find it. Not bad for a 10-minute craft.
6.5. Host a Board Game Night
Pick a few games that don’t take forever to explain. Cards Against Humanity (family edition?), UNO, What Do You Meme?, etc. Easy entertainment with zero need to leave your house.
7. For the Main Character Moments
7.1. Walk Around a Farmers Market Alone
Yep, just by yourself. Grab a cold lemonade, try a new snack, people-watch, and maybe buy a funky ring you’ll never wear again. It’s peak “movie montage” energy.
7.2. Recreate a Pinterest Pic IRL
Find a vibe-y summer photo on Pinterest – maybe it’s a picnic layout, a lakeside outfit, or a sunset selfie, and try to recreate it. For the aesthetic, obviously.
7.3. Make a Short “A Day in My Life” Video
Film your day, edit it with some music, and either post it or just keep it for yourself. You’ll love looking back on it someday. Bonus: it’s a cool way to see your own routine through fresh eyes.
7.4. Bike Somewhere New Without a Plan
Just get on your bike and go in a direction you don’t usually take. No GPS unless you’re totally lost. You might find a chill new spot to hang or a view that’s worth the trip.
7.5. Watch a Classic Movie You’ve Never Seen
There’s a reason people still talk about The Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Pick one from before your time and see what the hype’s about.
8. Do-Good and Feel-Good Ideas
8.1. Make a Care Package for Someone
Could be for a friend, a neighbor, or someone who’s having a rough time. Fill it with little things like snacks, stickers, tea, or a handwritten note. Small things make a big difference.
8.2. Start a Small Summer “Business”
Hear me out – not a full-blown startup. But if you make bracelets, paint nails, or take decent photos, why not offer your services? It’s a chill way to make a little cash and flex your skills.
8.3. Send Letters to Your Future Self
Write a letter to “Future You” about how this summer went, what you’re thinking about, or what you hope for in the next year. Seal it up and don’t open it till next summer.
8.4. Host a Clothing Swap
Get your friends together and bring clothes you don’t wear anymore. You’ll refresh your closet without spending anything. Also, it’s way more sustainable than buying new fast fashion pieces every month.
8.5. Start a Good Habit
Okay, it’s not flashy – but summer is the best time to build routines that stick. Want to drink more water? Learn 10 new words in another language? Meditate for five minutes a day? Start small and actually stick to it.
9. Fun Challenges to Try
9.1. Complete a “No Complaining” Day
Harder than it sounds. Spend one full day without complaining about anything. Traffic, chores, the heat, nope. It’s a challenge that makes you more mindful (or just super quiet, lol).
9.2. Try a New Food You Can’t Pronounce
Find a restaurant or food truck with something you’ve never eaten, preferably something you can’t even say right. Try it and rate it like a food critic. Could be amazing. Could be terrible. Either way, it’s a story.
9.3. Do a 10-Minute Daily Journal Challenge for a Week
Pick a time – morning, night, whatever, and write for 10 minutes every day. You can write anything: your thoughts, your plans, or just what you ate. After a week, read it back. It’s weirder and cooler than it sounds.
9.4. Create a Secret Code with a Friend
Yes, like a full-on code only the two of you understand. Use emojis, abbreviations, symbols, whatever. Communicate only in code for a day. You’ll laugh at how chaotic it gets.
9.5. Do a “Yes Day” (With Limits)
Pick a day where you say “yes” to whatever your friends suggest (within reason, obviously). It pushes you out of your usual comfort zone and makes for a day you’ll definitely remember.
10. Social Media Vibes & Random Summer Fun
10.1. Take a “1 Second a Day” Video All Summer
Film one second of video every day of summer and put it all together at the end. It’s like a highlight reel of your summer that actually means something. Super satisfying to watch back.
10.2. Re-Create Childhood Summer Pics
Find an old photo from when you were little (like eating a popsicle in a kiddie pool) and re-create it now. Pose the same way, wear something similar, and snap a new version. It’s nostalgic and hilarious.
10.3. Write a Song or Poem About Summer
Even if you’re not a songwriter or poet, give it a shot. It can be silly or serious, whatever feels right. You might end up with something cool. Or cringe. Both are valid.
10.4. Paint or Draw Outside
Grab a sketchpad or some paints and head outside. Even if you’re not “artsy,” it’s fun to try. Plus, it feels very calming to just sit under a tree and sketch random stuff.
10.5. Pick a Color and Wear It for a Whole Day
Choose a single color and build your entire outfit around it. Accessories, shoes, everything. Make it a mini challenge and take pics. It’s silly but fun, and yes, people will ask what you’re doing.
Bonus: Turn Your Bucket List Into Something You’ll Actually Use
So you’ve got 50 solid summer bucket list ideas. Now what?
Here’s how to make it stick, without overcomplicating things:
Create Your Own Bucket List (Your Way)
You don’t have to do all 50 (unless you’re feeling ambitious). Start by:
- Picking 10–15 ideas that actually sound fun to you
- Mixing a little of everything: some group stuff, some solo time, some creative projects
- Putting them into a note on your phone, a journal, or even a whiteboard on your wall
Track Your Summer Progress
This doesn’t need to be complicated, just:
- Snap a photo every time you check one off
- Share your list with friends and do some ideas together
- Rate each one afterward (like a chill Yelp review, but for memories)
You’ll get way more out of your summer if you treat it like an experience, not just a time to pass.
Your Summer, Your Rules
Look, no one’s handing out trophies for the “Best Teen Summer 2025.” This is your time. You don’t have to go on a big trip or throw the biggest party ever to make it count.
Just do stuff that feels good, stretches you a little, and lets you actually enjoy being your age right now.
Slow days, spontaneous nights, small wins – that’s what sticks.
So… what’s first on your list?
