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40 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens

Looking for a great way to get your teens having fun during the summer months? This Teen Summer Bucket List is full of fun activities that will get you bonus points!

Summer is here and the kids are already talking about how “bored” they are. So here are some of my favorite summer bucket list ideas for summer break. 

Anything I can do to get the kids off of their video games and social media is a win. Summer is a great time to get them out of their comfort zone and trying new things from the ultimate summer bucket list! Be sure to add your own ideas too!

Even if there isn’t a lot of free time, there are all kinds of things you can check off by the end of summer!

girl in pool float

Have So Much Fun with your Teen’s Summer Bucket List

Visit somewhere awesome!

Summer is the perfect time for camping in much of the U.S. One thing I want to do next time we go camping is try a little birdwatching. I read this guide about birdwatching while camping and am excited to see which birds we find next time we head out into the woods.

Don’t forget to make your own bug spray before you head out to camp. This stuff smells great and will keep the bugs away!

Photo Via Dollar Crafter

No matter where you’re traveling to, check out these summer travel tips. Packing a first aid kit is important, but there are many others on the list as well!

National Parks are always on our list for summer. Not only because the yearly passes are affordable, but because no matter where you are in the country, you can drive and find a National Park to visit! I found this list of National Parks to visit and have already added a few more to our list.

Eat something awesome!

For a quick, healthy breakfast or snack on the go, try this simple and refreshing smoothie bowl recipe. The kids will enjoy making their own, adding fruits and granola.

blue smoothie bowl
Photo Via A Day In Candiland

We are kicking off summer with some healthy treats, but you know after a week or two, we’re all craving something sweet. A fun summer dessert to add to your “must try” list is making your own ice cream. Try some new flavors!

We all love donuts, but they can get expensive, so why not make them at home? Here are some great donut recipes that your kids will enjoy making and eating. They’re inexpensive to make and you can customize them with different toppings (chocolate chips, sprinkles). You’ll be able to get creative while satisfying those sweet cravings!

Do your kids love blueberries? Mine do! This delicious blueberry crisp is perfect for summer. You can use fresh or
frozen blueberries to create that sweet and tart taste we crave so much during these warmer months. 

Kids are always asking for a drink, and of course they want fun drinks, not just water. How about some Lemonade? Yum! It’s the perfect way to cool off on a warm summer day and easy to make a big batch of when friends are over.

lemonade

Get your kids to cook dinner for your family when you need some fresh ideas. The kitchen is a great place to learn life skills.

What is your favorite summer treat?

BBQ hamburger table scene. Top down view over a white wood background.

Make something awesome!

Get the whole family involved in these fun crafts and activities. These are perfect if you are looking for a quiet day inside, because it’s raining or maybe it’s just too hot.

Each of these film canister rockets cost less than a dollar to make. They are fun for kids and adults alike! The best part is that this activity will keep your family entertained for hours (or at least long enough to get through dinner)!

Do you have a teen who loves outdoor activities? Make beautiful flower painted rocks that will be sure to brighten up any day! All it takes is some paint, water, and rocks. You can use different colors depending on the look or theme of the rock or just one color if simplicity is what you’re after. And they will make a great addition to your own backyard.

Photo Via Our Wabi Sabi Life

Glow in the dark bowling is a fun way to spend time with your family. All you need is some glow sticks and some water bottles, and you’re ready for some good clean fun! This game can be played indoors or outdoors, so get creative with where you play. You can even set up an obstacle course that will make it more challenging and exciting for everyone involved.

Need more fun ideas? Check out this list of ideas:

  • A road trip to at amusement park or local theme park
  • Enjoy a day at a local minor league baseball game
  • Check out an outdoor concert at a nearby city or check out the outdoor events at a local park
  • Learn something new at local museums
  • We love checking out farmer’s markets where we get to meet local farms
  • A spa day is a fun experience for teen girls. Make homemade scrubs and face masks and do manicures with cute summer nail designs.
  • Have a karaoke party and put on a free concert
  • Plant a vegetable garden
  • Research your family tree
  • Learn a new tiktok dance
  • Teen boys might be interested in learning a new sport
  • Host a bake sale for a local charity or local animal shelter
  • Create a time capsule
  • Find a YouTube video to learn a new hobby or new skills
  • Try learning a new language or about different cultures
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Host a yard sale or garage sale
  • Have a Harry Potter movie marathon
  • A bike ride is always a good time
  • Have a family member make a scavenger hunt
  • Tour a college campus
  • Make paper flowers
  • Go crabbing
  • Make Iced Coffee

If your family likes to keep a routine even during summer, these routine charts for kids are free to print and are a good idea to keep a sense of normalcy when your schedule has changed so much. 

No matter what, we are determined to make the summer of 2022 the best one yet!

teens at the beach

What kinds of fun things are on your own summer bucket list?

I made this Printable Summer Bucket List for you. This free template is a PDF File you can download below.

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Laura

Wednesday 1st of June 2022

This is awesome. Going to write some in my journal. It's our last summer before the kids go off to college. They are working so not much time free to do things but will try to add something new. Thanks for sharing.

momma lew

Wednesday 1st of June 2022

Enjoy the summer!!!! Looking forward to seeing how you do this in your journal!