100 Fun Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens

March 25, 2025

Summer is the perfect time to relax, have fun, and try new things. With no school, it’s a great time to make memories, learn new hobbies, and accomplish things before the school year starts again in the fall. Whether you want adventure, creativity, or just time to chill with friends, this list of summer bucket list ideas for teens has something for everyone.

What is a bucket list?

A bucket list is a fun list of things you want to do or try, usually before a certain time like the end of summer. It’s a way to set goals, make plans, and fill your days with exciting memories. Your bucket list can include big adventures or small moments, as long as they make you happy and help you enjoy life a little more.

Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoorsy summer bucket list ideas are perfect for teens who love fresh air, sunshine, and a little adventure. Being outside is a great way to spend time away from digital screens. From hiking to hidden waterfalls and camping under the stars to paddleboarding at a local lake, these activities help teens unplug, get moving, and make unforgettable memories outside.

1. Go to the beach and watch the sunset
2. Have a water balloon fight
3. Try paddleboarding or kayaking
4. Go on a sunrise hike
5. Camp in the backyard
6. Visit a national or state park
7. Ride bikes to a new place
8. Go zip-lining or indoor rock climbing
9. Go stargazing on a clear night
10. Go rollerblading
11. Go tubing or rafting down a river
12. Build a sandcastle with friends
13. Visit a botanical garden or arboretum
14. Plant something and try to grow it all summer
15. Try slacklining in the backyard
16. Walk dogs at a local animal shelter

Summer Bucket List Ideas With Friends

Summer bucket list ideas are even more fun when you do them with friends. Here are some bucket list ideas that you can do with friends and make memories together!

17. Host a backyard movie night with snacks
18. Throw a themed pool party
19. Make your own slip-and-slide with a plastic tarp
20. Try a new ice cream shop or dessert bar
21. Plan a day with no phones
22. Go thrift shopping for funny outfits
23. Do a friendship bracelet exchange
24. Play a giant outdoor board game
25. Host a sleepover with themed snacks
26. Have a DIY spa night
27. Go bowling or mini golfing
28. Try a “$10 thrift store outfit challenge”
29. Do a nail-painting party
30. Do a blindfolded makeup challenge
31. Have a themed dress-up day just for fun

Creative Bucket List Ideas

Creative and crafty bucket list ideas are a great way for you to express yourself and try something new this summer. Some ideas include tie-dyeing shirts, painting in the sunshine, and making a scrapbook of your favorite memories. If you’re creative or love doing crafts, check out the following bucket list ideas!

32. Tie-dye old T-shirts or socks
33. Start a summer scrapbook or photo journal
34. Make your own summer playlist cover art
35. Film a mini summer vlog or short film
36. Decorate your room with a new aesthetic
37. Try pottery
38. Bake and decorate summer-themed cookies
39. Design your dream summer outfit
40. Create your own comic or graphic novel
41. Paint rocks and leave them around town
42. Learn calligraphy or hand lettering
43. Make a custom phone wallpaper
44. Draw sidewalk chalk art on your driveway
45. Write a poem or summer short story
46. Make a custom tie-dye hoodie
47. Try sewing or upcycling old clothes

Travel Bucket List Ideas for Teens

Travel bucket list ideas are a fun way for you to explore new places and make the most of your summer break. Whether you’re taking a mini road trip with friends, discovering a hidden gem in your own town, or checking out a local fair or museum, every little adventure can lead to big memories.

48. Go to a local festival or fair
49. Take a road trip
50. Visit a museum or gallery nearby
51. Try a food you’ve never eaten before
52. Be a tourist in your own city
53. Go to a concert or outdoor music event
54. Visit a waterpark or amusement park
55. Check out a drive-in movie theater
56. Visit a farmers market
57. Visit a bookstore or indie shop you’ve never been to
58. Take a ghost tour or historical walking tour
59. Check out a local art fair
60. Visit a zoo or aquarium
61. Try geocaching in your area

Personal Development

Adding personal development ideas to your summer bucket list is a great way to grow while still having fun. You might try learning a new skill, setting a goal, or doing something that challenges you. It’s a chance to learn more about yourself and feel proud of what you’ve accomplished.

62. Make a vision board for the school year
63. Learn a new hobby like guitar, coding, or photography
64. Read 3 new books
65. Get your first job or internship
66. Learn to cook one full meal by yourself
67. Try meditation or yoga
68. Organize your phone/photos
69. Create a digital detox plan for a week
70. Write a letter to your future self
71. Start learning a new language
72. Make a budget and start saving money
73. Write down 10 things you like about yourself

Bucket List Ideas For Introverts

Summer bucket list ideas for introverts are all about quiet moments and meaningful activities. You might enjoy reading a new book, journaling your thoughts, trying out a creative hobby, or going for peaceful walks. It’s a great way to recharge, reflect, and enjoy summer in your own calm and cozy way.

74. Try drawing or painting something every day
75. Organize your room just the way you want
76. Watch a movie you’ve never seen every week
77. Take long walks while listening to podcasts
78. Try out journaling for your thoughts or dreams
79. Learn origami or paper folding
80. Write a fictional story just for fun
81. Work on a puzzle while listening to music
82. Watch an entire documentary series
83. Start learning to play an instrument
84. Try embroidery or cross-stitch
85. Make your own candle or soap
86. Learn how to use photo editing apps
87. Make a stop-motion animation
88. Build a fort in your room just for you

Cheap or Free Summer Bucket List Ideas

Cheap or free summer bucket list ideas are perfect when you want to have fun without spending a lot of money. Simple things like watching the sunset, visiting the library, or having a picnic at the park can still make great memories. These ideas let you enjoy summer without the stress of spending too much.

89. Go to the library and check out books or movies
90. Watch the clouds and try to spot shapes
91. Have a board game night at home
92. Walk to get your favorite cheap snack
93. Make popsicles at home
94. Do a DIY scavenger hunt around your neighborhood
95. Make friendship bracelets from leftover string
96. Visit a splash pad or public pool
97. Volunteer somewhere for a day
98. Go through old photos and make a slideshow
99. Write a short play and act it out with friends
100. Create a playlist and trade it with a friend
101. Learn a TikTok dance