Every year before Summer, I get this itch—not the mosquito kind, the “make this summer feel like a nostalgic Norman Rockwell painting” kind. You know the vibe: barefoot backyard fun, sticky popsicles, and kids who aren’t glued to screens. So, I sat down (with coffee, obviously) and made a summer bucket list to bring those vintage summer memories to life—right here in 2025.

Whether you’re working with a tiny backyard, three energetic kids, and a budget that says “let’s DIY it,” or you just want a break from the hustle, this list is packed with classic, creative, and simple ideas to make the most of your summer without getting overwhelmed with the amount of things to get done or worrying about budget.

Get ready to make some core memories, laugh through the chaos, and maybe even rediscover the joy of a sprinkler.

Keep reading for our summer rules bonus + links for pdf printable

☀️ 26 Summer Bucket List Ideas for the Best Summer Ever

Bring the playground indoors by setting up an obstacle course. It’s a great way to keep the kids active, especially on a rainy summer day.

1. Build a Blanket Fort

Because adulthood deserves whimsical nostalgia—just add pillows and fairy lights. Perfect for telling ghost stories sans bugs. Our girls’ favorite thing is to build a fort in their room and then sleep in there for as long as we can take it 😉.
indoor summer activities, DIY blanket fort

2. Curl Up with a Book Series Outdoors

Whether on a porch swing or under a shady tree, a good series is just as thrilling now as it was in school.
summer reading list, outdoor reading

3. Learn a New Game with the Fam

From Monopoly Go to card games, this is fun—and quality family time.
family game night ideas, summer bonding activities

4. Write & Illustrate a Mini Story

Channel your inner author—no bug bites required. Bonus: their creativity runs wild.
DIY kids crafts, creative summer fun

5. Friendship Bracelet Workshop

Sit on the porch, sip iced tea, and knot your way back to childhood.
summer crafts for kids, DIY bracelet ideas

6. Paper Airplane Contest

See who really understands aerodynamics—or just loves making paper rainbows. This came out of a day of boredom for our kids and ended up being one of their favorites. They would decorate them and try different methods to see which worked best.
fun paper crafts, summer activities for kids

7. Classic Root Beer Floats

Old-fashioned, delicious, and guaranteed to cool you off—unless it’s caffeinated root beer (then it’ll jazz you up).
summer dessert recipes, root beer float recipe

8. DIY Indoor Obstacle Course

Rainy summer day? So hot you don’t want to go outside? No sweat. Build tunnels, balance beams, and get wild—all inside the AC.
indoor summer games, obstacle course ideas

9. Epic Family Game Night

Sequence, Life, Uno, or whatever your crew’s obsession is—make it themed, make it silly, make it legendary. Add in popcorn and some m&m’s for a special treat.
family game night ideas, summer indoor fun

10. Movie Marathon Madness

Pick a theme (“’80s camp classics,” “cottage core cozy”) and pop that corn. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day full of summer activities.
summer movie night ideas, backyard movie ideas

11. Roast S’mores (Safely Indoors or Out)

Gas grill or electric s’more maker—still delicious, no campfire required.
smores recipe, summer treats

12. Plant Some Seeds

Snap some before-and-after garden shots for your feed—and brag about your “green thumb.” Educational + rewarding.
summer gardening for beginners, planting seeds with kids

13. Classic Game of Hide & Seek

Pro tip: The dog ALWAYS finds the best hiding spot.
outdoor games for families, classic kids games

14. Board Game Bonanza

Old-school board games: still undefeated after all these years.
best board games summer, family board games

15. Personal Pizza Party

DIY pizza station with toppings galore—everyone’s a culinary genius tonight.
DIY pizza night, summer dinner ideas

16. Bake Something Together

Whether it’s cookies, cupcakes, or scones, baking is 50% dessert, 50% science experiment.
summer baking ideas, family baking project

17. Movie Night

String lights, cozy blankets, a fuzzy throw + all the movie theater treats.
backyard movie night, cozy summer evening ideas

18. Make Cloud Dough

Sensory play is stress-free, mess-limited, and photo-perfect.
DIY cloud dough, summer crafts

19. Wash the Cars

Kids + soap + hose = chaos you secretly love. Bonus: the cars get washed.
summer outdoor activities, fun chores with kids

20. Bubble Bonanza

Bubble guns, giant wands—bubble therapy is real, folks.
summer sensory play, bubble activities

21. Beach Day Escape

Sandcastle, surf, sun—preach classic summer vibes.
best beaches in Southern California, beach day essentials

22. Night Swim

Cool off under the stars—just add glow-sticks for extra magic.
night swimming ideas, summer pool party

23. Water Balloon Fight

All hail the glorious mess. This is always a start of summer activity for us. We have a water balloon fight on the last day of school with friends; it’s become a tradition that they look forward to.
water balloon games, summer outdoor fun

24. Sprinkler Splash Session

No pool? No problem. Sprinkler = instant laugh zone.
sprinkler games for kids, backyard summer fun

25. DIY Slip ’n Slide

Lay out plastic, water it down, add soap—and wham! Backyard Olympics.
DIY slip n slide, backyard water activities

26. End of Summer Party

Wrap up your summer with a bang by hosting an end-of-summer party. Celebrate the season’s adventures with friends, food and fun.
summer party, summer activity

***If we did an activity more than once, we would add a check mark next to it so see what activity we did the most.***

Our Summer Rules

“I’m bored.” “There’s nothing to do.” “Can we watch a movie?” “Can I go on my tablet now?”

If you’ve heard any of those within the first hour of summer break—congrats, you’re not alone. I swear those phrases have a built-in alarm that triggers the moment backpacks hit the floor.

To help us all out (and keep my sanity intact), I made a simple printable and popped it right next to our summer bucket list. And guess what? It actually helped! Sure, they still claimed boredom now and then, but we shaved it down by a solid 74% (give or take a dramatic eye roll).

Our kids thrive on structure, so we kept our usual school-year rules for screen time and electronics. But if you’re looking for something with a “earn your screen time” system built in, I’ve got you covered with a free printable for that too!

Here’s the thing—summer doesn’t have to be extravagant to be unforgettable. Sometimes, it’s the little things (like s’mores in the backyard or bubble-fueled giggles on the lawn) that stick the longest. Whether you check off every idea or just a handful, I hope this list inspires you to slow down, lean in, and make space for the kind of fun that doesn’t come with a price tag.

Summer Bucket List + Summer Rules

Summer Bucket List + Screen Time Rules

So go ahead—grab your sun hat, let the kids track in some sand, and call it a day well spent. Happy summer, friend. Now go build that blanket fort. 😉