Have a case of the “what should we do today?” blues? Check out this summer bucket list for kids full of cheap, easy, and fun ideas. Download the PDF for free and use it for stress-free, low-key summer activities.
What are some summer bucket list ideas?
It’s summer and the possibilities are endless… but do you still get as stuck as I do?
What will we do with the kids all day?
There’s a summer full of options, but it helps to have some options hanging on your fridge for those hot day moments when time is ticking backwards…
Download a free summer bucket list for kids
Stick this activity list on your fridge and when you find yourself stuck – have a peek to get an idea for the day.
These are easy, fun, simple ideas to help make summer days at home go just a little smoother.
But they aren’t earth shattering ideas or anything rocket science like – and we all know that sometimes, even the simplest ideas escape us when we are faced with the dreaded “what are we going to do today?” question.
What age is this for?
This list is really open-ended. It’ll work for a wide range of kids, from 2 – 12 years old.
(And I would know – I did many of these activities with my big kid neighbor friends).
How will you know what to do?
MOST of the activities are self explanatory… but some might not be or have specific directions.
That’s why I made a clickable list below with all the links you might need for activities on my summer bucket list for kids.
What are some summer bucket list ideas?
- Make ice cream in a sandwich bag
- Fly a kite (even if it’s just a plastic bag kite)
- Take a Popsicle bath
- Make nature collages
- Make a LEGO kiddie pool
- Build a water pouring station
- Bring a book basket outside
- Make a mud pit
- Plant something (indoors or out)
- Make cards and mail them
- Go on a picnic (even in your house or backyard)
- Try a new-to-you playground
- Build a fort (outside or inside)
- Create an obstacle course
- Set up a tent in the backyard
- Play board games outside
- Experiment with paper airplane designs
- Play with an ice cube sensory bin
- Build a small world for toys
- Wash backyard toys
- Visit the local fire station
- Find a hill and roll down it
- Go on a new hike or walk
- Bake cookies
- Paint toys outside
- Make bubble foam
- Build simple ramps for toy cars
- Experiment with baking soda and vinegar
- Make puppets for a show
- Set up an art area outside
- Paint and hide kindness rocks
- Find a new splash park
- Go on a treasure walk (take a bag and bring back treasures)
- Visit a construction site & watch the action from afar (this can be done in your car, too)
- Invited a friend on an adventure
Summer 2023 will be magical!
The kids will play.
The sun will (hopefully) shine.
And memories will be made.
A good summer bucket list for kids can really help get your mind wrapped around what to do each day – or how to break up the long mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually a bucket list is a collection of things you hope to accomplish in a given time frame. That’s not what this bucket list is. This summer bucket list for kids is a collection of ideas that you can do or not do. This list is there when you need it and it’s fine if you don’t.
Nope! Activities are not mandatory. Activities can be a tool to help you break up the day, life moods, and reset things… but only if that works for you. The activities on this bucket list are meant to help restart or give life to a summer day that isn’t going so well.
I ask that if you share this with others, please send them the link to download this bucket list on their own rather than photocopying my work. This list is not intended for resale or redistribution.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Julie says
This is a fab list! Just what I need for my 2 year old this summer!
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says
This is so cute! Thanks for sharing!