100+ of The Best Kids Summer Activities in 2023 [Free Summer Bucket List]
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If you’re anything like me, as the school year comes to a close, us parents start to think about ways to keep our kids entertained and make memories over the summer. So If you’re looking for ideas on how to fill up your child’s summer bucket list, here are 100 great summer bucket list activities for kids to get you started.
Plus print out all 100 kids summer activity ideas on my free printable summer bucket list for kids below for some summer fun!
What is a Summer Bucket list?
A summer bucket list is simply a list of fun summer activities or goals that you and your family want to accomplish over the summer months. It’s a great way to make sure everyone is enjoying their summer break and making the most of the warmer weather.
Some families like to print out their bucket list and hang it up on the fridge or in a prominent place, while others prefer to keep it stored away on their phones or computers. Regardless of how you choose to track your summer bucket list, the important thing is that you make time for some fun this summer.
As you complete a task or activity you cross it off your list and move on to the next. By the end of the summer, you’ll have made some amazing family memories and had lots of fun!
How To Make a Kids Summer Bucket List:
Making a summer bucket list is easy and can be done a number of different ways. Here are some tips on how to make a summer bucket list for kids:
1. Get the whole family involved in brainstorming ideas. This is a great way to get everyone excited about the summer and what’s to come. Plus, it’ll give you some ideas of things that everyone would like to do.
2. Write down every idea, no matter how big or small. The point of a bucket list is to try new things and have fun, so don’t worry about whether an activity is ‘worthy’ of being on the list.
3. Once you’ve got your list of activities, start planning how you’re going to make them happen. If there are activities that will require tickets or reservations, be sure to get those taken care of ahead of time so everything runs smoothly when the time comes.
4. Check things off your list as you go! This is the best part of having a summer bucket list. As you complete each activity, take a moment to enjoy your accomplishment and then move on to the next item on the list.
5. Don’t forget to document your summer bucket list adventures! Take lots of photos and videos so you can look back on all the fun you had together as a family.
These 100 kids summer activities will help you to come up with ideas to add to your bucket list!
How To Keep Your Child Entertained in The Summer
You may be dreading the “mom, I’m bored” phrase and keep thinking how do I keep my child entertained in the summer? Look no further, we’ve got you covered!
Making a summer bucket list is a great way to keep your child entertained and busy over the summer months. By having a list of fun family friendly activities to do, you’ll be ensuring that your child stays occupied and happy.
Some things to keep in mind to make sure your child enjoys their summer break include:
1. Get them involved in planning the activities. This way they will be more likely to be excited about doing them.
2. Choose activities that are age-appropriate. There’s no point in adding things to the list that are too difficult or challenging for your child.
3. Make sure the activities are things that your child is interested in. There’s no use in trying to force them to do something they don’t want to do.
4. Be flexible with the activities. Things will come up and plans will change, so be prepared to adjust the list as needed.
5. Have fun! The whole point of a summer bucket list is to make amazing memories with your child. So relax and enjoy the ride.
100 Best Kids Summer Activities for Your Bucket List
What are some good summer activities for kids? Here are 100 different ideas for kids to add to your summer bucket list:
- Visit a splash pad
- Go to the zoo
- Make Popsicles
- Go to the library
- Have a water balloon fight
- Have a picnic at the park
- Make homemade ice cream
- Wash the car together
- Visit a museum
- Start a 100 book reading challenge
- Go on a nature walk
- Do a science experiment
- Watch an outdoor movie
- Play the sprinklers
- Go to museum
- Watch fireworks
- Go to the beach
- Plan a day trip
- Go on a hike
- Feed the ducks
- Go to the lake
- Eat a snowcone
- Have a family game night
- Go garage sale shopping
- Build a sandcastle
- Camp in the backyard
- Paint rocks
- Make smores
- Let the kids stay up late
- Go on a bike ride
- Make homemade pizzas
- Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
- Go to an amusement park
- Visit a farm
- Pick berries
- Make a fort in the living room
- Watch the sunset
- Fly a kite
- Play laser tag
- Feed the birds
- Plant a garden
- Have a Stargazing Night
- Go Bowling
- Have a BBQ
- Have a campfire
- Go to a baseball game
- Make a Time capsule
- Start a rock collection
- Collect seashells
- Do a scavenger hunt
- Go to the aquarium
- Go to the movies
- Make slime
- Build an obstacle course
- Make up a secret handshake
- Go on a road trip
- Make a dandelion wish
- Make tie-dye shirts
- Play frisbee
- Plant flowers
- Try a new food
- Blow bubbles
- Play corn hole
- Make lemonade/ have a lemonade stand
- Go fishing
- Go to a farmer’s market
- Do a staycation
- Play a board game
- Light sparklers
- Have a watermelon eating contest
- Make sock or brown paper bag puppets
- Play freeze tag
- Make Rootbeer floats
- Catch fireflies
- Have a relay race
- Climb a tree
- Put on temporary tattoos
- Learn a magic trick
- Have a paper airplane contest
- Build a lego city
- Learn to skip rocks
- Have a glow stick dance party
- Make homemade play-doh
- Make a scrapbook
- Set family goals
- Play lawn bowling
- Get your face painted
- Play kickball
- Do a craft day
- Have a “yes” day
- Play tetherball
- Plan a block party
- Go for a drive
- Go get milkshakes
- Donate some toys
- Start a new tradition
- Have a water-gun fight
- Go to a water park
- Watch the sunset
- Go to a parade
- Go to the county fair
What is the most popular summer activity for kids?
The top 3 summer activities for kids according to a recent survey are: going to the pool, going to the beach, and having a picnic at the park or barbecue. So be sure to add those items to your summer bucket list!
Another idea is to figure out what fun summer activities are most popular in your family specifically. Depending on where you live and the ages of your children, your own most popular summer activities according to your family may be different from the ones on the surveys!
After coming up with your summer bucket list activities, ask your kids what activity they are most excited about. Star those top activities, plan and schedule a time to do them so they become your top summer priorities!
What kids can do at home in summer?
There are plenty of fun ideas for things that kids can do at home during summer break. Here is an idea list of summer activities to keep the kids busy at home:
- Have a movie marathon or movie night
- Bake cookies or cupcakes
- Do a science experiment
- Make homemade slime
- Build a fort out of blankets and pillows
- Play tag or hide-and-seek
- Have a water balloon fight
- Plant a garden
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Do some crafts together
- Have a family game night
- Make a time capsule
- Go through old photos and scrapbooks
- Learn a new recipe and make it together
- Do some stargazing
- Start a reading challenge
- Have a picnic in your backyard
- Go for a bike ride or walk around the neighborhood
- Wash the car together
- Play in the sprinklers
Just to name a few. The best ways to make at home summer activities for kids fun is to get the whole family involved. Whether you’re baking cookies, making slime, or playing a game, everyone will have a good time if they’re all participating.
Free Printable Summer Bucket List
Print out this free summer bucket list for kids and hang it where everyone can see it! Star the activities you want to do and cross them off as you complete them! Then you’ll know that by the time school comes around your family really made the most of the summertime with your kids.
Download the Free Printable Summer Bucket List for Kids Here.
Summer is a time for fun and family activities. Whether you’re going on a road trip or staying home, there are plenty of things to do. I hope these ideas can help you create your own bucket list, and now you’ve got your free printable summer bucket list for kids to help get you started. Happy summer!
Want to remember these fun ideas? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest Board!