36 Summer Activities to Add to Your Bucket List This Year

If you're looking for summer activities to add to your bucket list this year, you're in the right place.

Every summer, I start making a mental list of all the things I want to do. Read more books outside. Try a new hobby. Spend less time scrolling and more time enjoying the longer days. Maybe even finally learn a skill I've been putting off for months.

Of course, summer has a habit of flying by faster than expected. That's why I love putting together a summer bucket list. Not as a checklist to complete perfectly, but as a collection of ideas to help me be a little more intentional with the season. Some of these are simple ways to slow down and enjoy everyday moments. Others are creative projects, local adventures, and new experiences I've been wanting to try myself.

Whether you're planning a fun summer with friends, looking for ways to get out of the house, or simply hoping to make the most of the season, I hope this list gives you a few ideas to add to your own summer plans.

This post may include affiliate links. That means if you buy something through one of our links, we might earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

1. Go Camping

Whether it's a weekend in the mountains or a night at a local campground, camping is one of those classic summer activities that never gets old. Pack your favorite snacks, spend time outdoors, and enjoy a break from your usual routine.

2. Take a Tennis Lesson

This is one of my personal goals for the season. I recently found an amazing local women's tennis group and I'm so excited to give it a try. If you've ever wanted to learn, summer is the perfect time to pick up a racket and start.

3. Take a Bike Ride on a New Trail

It's easy to stick to the same walking routes and neighborhoods. This summer, look up a new bike trail nearby and spend an afternoon exploring somewhere you've never been before.

4. Workout Outdoors

Take your workout outside for a change of scenery. Whether it's a morning walk, a yoga session at the park, or an outdoor bootcamp class, fresh air somehow makes exercise feel a little more enjoyable.

5. Go Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a fun way to get outside and enjoy the water, even if you've never tried it before. Many lakes and beaches offer rentals, making it an easy activity to add to your summer bucket list.

6. Go Berry Picking

Berry picking feels like one of those simple summer traditions everyone should try at least once. You'll spend time outdoors and come home with fresh berries for baking, smoothies, or snacking.

7. Go Hammocking

I picked up a hammock from TJ Maxx for around $15 a few weeks ago, and it's already one of my favorite purchases of the season. On cooler evenings, I'll take a book outside and spend an hour reading instead of scrolling on my phone. If you're looking for a simple way to slow down this summer, find a shady spot, bring a drink, and enjoy an afternoon with nowhere to be.

8. Visit a Local Fair or Carnival

I went to the OC Fair with a group of friends last summer and had so much fun. Between the food, rides, games, and people-watching, it's one of those activities that always feels like peak summer.

9. Visit a Nearby Small Town

Pick a town within driving distance and spend the day exploring local shops, cafés, and main streets. Sometimes the best summer adventures are the ones closest to home.

10. Watch an Outdoor Movie

Check whether your area has outdoor movie nights or a local drive-in theater. Watching a movie under the stars feels much more memorable than another night on the couch.

11. Have a Picnic in the Park

Pack a few favorite snacks, grab a blanket, and head to your local park. Picnics are an easy way to make an ordinary afternoon feel a little more special.

12. Cook Your Way Through a Cookbook

Choose a cookbook you've been meaning to use and work your way through several recipes over the season. It's a fun challenge and a great way to discover new favorites.

13. Go Stargazing

Grab a blanket, find a spot away from city lights, and spend an evening looking up at the night sky. It's free, relaxing, and surprisingly easy to forget how beautiful it can be.

14. Spend a Day Unplugged From Screens

Challenge yourself to spend an entire day away from social media and endless scrolling. Fill the time with books, crafts, journaling, or any of your favorite analog hobbies instead.

15. Have a No-Spend Weekend

Choose one weekend and challenge yourself not to spend any money. You might be surprised by how many free activities, hobbies, and local adventures you can find.

16. Make Homemade Lemonade

Homemade lemonade tastes so much better than the store-bought version. It's easy to make and feels like the perfect drink to have on a warm summer afternoon.

17. Perfect Your At Home Coffee Recipe

Whether you're making iced lattes, cold brew, or a simple iced coffee, spend some time experimenting until you find your perfect summer drink.

18. Learn How to Grill

If you've always relied on someone else to work the grill, this could be the summer to learn. Start with a few simple recipes and build your confidence from there.

19. Try a New Summer Recipe

Pick a recipe you've never made before and give it a try. Summer produce makes this a great time to experiment with fresh ingredients.

20.Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

It sounds simple, but how often do we actually stop to watch one? Pick a morning or evening this summer and take a few minutes to enjoy the view without distractions.

21. Host a Backyard Barbecue

Invite a few friends or family members over and keep things simple. Good food, lawn chairs, and a summer evening are usually all you need.

22. Mix Up Summer Cocktails or Mocktails

Try a few new drink recipes and create a signature summer beverage. It's a fun activity whether you're hosting friends or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home.

23. Make Homemade Popsicles

Homemade popsicles are surprisingly easy to make and can be customized with your favorite fruits and flavors. They're also a fun project to do with kids.

24. Create a Summer Scrapbook

Print your favorite photos, save ticket stubs, and collect little memories throughout the season. By the end of summer, you'll have something fun to look back on.

25. Host a Craft Night

Invite friends over for an evening of painting, scrapbooking, knitting, or any creative hobby you enjoy. It's a fun alternative to meeting up for dinner.

26. Press Flowers Into Art

The next time you bring home flowers or spot beautiful blooms on a walk, try pressing a few and turning them into bookmarks, cards, or framed artwork.

27. Take Photos With a Digital or Film Camera

Using a dedicated camera is a great way to stay present and avoid reaching for your phone every few minutes. Plus, you'll end the season with plenty of memories to look back on.

28. Make a Summer Vision Board

Gather magazine clippings, photos, and inspiration for the months ahead. It's a fun creative project and a great way to get excited about the season.

29. Try Watercolor Painting

Watercolor is one of the most beginner-friendly art hobbies to try. TikTok and YouTube are full of tutorials that make it easy to get started.

30. Build a Summer Reading Journal

Keep track of the books you read, favorite quotes, and your thoughts along the way. If you need ideas, Goodreads releases lists of the most anticipated books every summer.

31. Write Letters to Friends

There's something special about receiving a handwritten letter. If you need inspiration, the Open When Letters concept is a fun way to create thoughtful notes for the people you care about.

32. Create a Summer Playlist

Put together a playlist filled with songs that remind you of summer. By the end of the season, it'll become a soundtrack to all your favorite memories.

33. Declutter One Room

Choose a room, put on your favorite playlist, and spend an afternoon clearing out anything you no longer use. A fresh, organized space always feels good.

34. Learn a New Hairstyle

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with braids, heatless curls, and easy updos. You might just discover a new everyday favorite.

35. Learn to Do Your Nails at Home

Doing your own nails can save money and become a relaxing self-care ritual. Start simple and have fun experimenting with different colors and styles.

36. Learn Flower Arranging

Trader Joe's has some of the prettiest and most affordable flowers around. Pick up a few bouquets and spend an afternoon creating your own arrangements at home.

Pick a few ideas that sound fun, skip the ones that don't, and make this list your own. And if you have a favorite summer tradition that didn't make the list, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.