Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore, learn new things, and have a ton of fun. The long, sun-drenched days are an open invitation for adventure.
Creating a DIY bucket list poster is a fantastic way to make the season feel even more exciting. It gives kids a visual guide to all the fun they can look forward to and a sense of accomplishment as they check things off.
Here are 50 of the best summer activities that kids will absolutely love. These ideas cover everything from outdoor adventures to creative projects, ensuring a summer packed with memories.
Outdoor Adventures
Getting outside and exploring the natural world is a quintessential part of summer. These activities encourage curiosity, physical fitness, and a love for nature.
1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Create a list of things to find in a local park or even just your own backyard. This could include different types of leaves, interesting bugs, or colorful flowers.
2. Have a backyard camping night
Set up a tent, make some classic s’mores, and enjoy a magical night telling stories under the stars.
3. Try geocaching
Use a GPS-enabled device or a phone app to go on a modern-day treasure hunt for hidden containers called geocaches.
4. Fly a kite
Head to a wide-open field or a breezy beach and enjoy the simple, timeless thrill of flying a kite.
5. Visit a new hiking trail
Explore a new corner of nature, get some exercise, and see what interesting local wildlife you can find.
Setting Tips
- For the scavenger hunt, create a visual checklist with pictures for younger kids.
- For camping, set up some solar-powered lanterns around the “campsite” for a magical glow.
- For geocaching, pack a small bag with “treasures” to leave behind in the caches you find.
- When flying a kite, choose a large, open area away from trees and power lines for safety.
- Before a hike, look up a map of the trail and let the kids help plan the route.
- Make a “nature explorer kit” with a magnifying glass, binoculars, and a small notebook.
- Set up a “base camp” for your scavenger hunt with snacks and water for when you return.
- For the campout, tell spooky (but not too spooky) stories with a flashlight held under your chin.
- Choose a geocaching trail that is appropriate for your kids’ age and fitness level.
- Pick a day with a steady, gentle breeze for the best kite-flying conditions.
Water Fun
When the summer heat gets intense, there is nothing better than cooling off with some fun water activities. These ideas are guaranteed to make a splash.
6. Have a water balloon fight
Cool off with a fun backyard water balloon battle.
7. Run through a sprinkler
A simple and classic way to enjoy the summer heat.
8. Build a DIY slip-and-slide
Use a tarp, water, and soap to create your own backyard slide.
9. Visit a splash pad
Find a local splash pad for a day of water-filled fun.
10. Go to the beach
Collect seashells, build sandcastles, and enjoy the waves.
Setting Tips
- For the water balloon fight, set up “refill stations” with buckets of pre-filled balloons.
- Place the sprinkler in different spots around the yard to create new play areas.
- Set up your DIY slip-and-slide on a soft, grassy area with a slight downward slope.
- Pack a picnic and lots of towels for your trip to the splash pad.
- Bring a variety of buckets and shovels to the beach for optimal sandcastle construction.
- Establish “safe zones” for the water balloon fight for anyone who needs a break.
- Play fun, upbeat music during the sprinkler session to encourage dancing.
- Have a “competition” to see who can slide the farthest on the slip-and-slide.
- Look for a splash pad that has different types of water features to keep things interesting.
- Set up a beach umbrella and chairs to create a shady home base on the beach.
Creative DIY Activities
Summer is a fantastic time for kids to get creative and work on fun, hands-on projects. These activities encourage imagination and result in a cool creation to be proud of.
11. Make homemade ice cream
Try making your own ice cream with simple ingredients.
12. Paint rocks and hide them in the neighborhood
Decorate rocks with fun designs and leave them for others to find.
13. Create a summer scrapbook
Document summer adventures with photos, drawings, and notes.
14. Build a bird feeder
Use recycled materials to create a bird feeder for your backyard.
15. Make tie-dye shirts
Use colorful dyes to create fun summer T-shirts.
Setting Tips
- Set up an “ice cream sundae bar” with lots of fun toppings for your homemade ice cream.
- For rock painting, lay down a large plastic tablecloth outside to contain the mess.
- Create a “memory box” to collect items for the scrapbook throughout the summer.
- Hang the bird feeder on a branch that is clearly visible from a window inside your house.
- For tie-dyeing, make sure to wear old clothes and gloves to protect your skin and clothing.
- Serve the homemade ice cream in fun, colorful bowls or cones.
- After painting the rocks, spray them with a clear sealant to protect the artwork from the weather.
- Provide fun stickers and colorful paper for decorating the scrapbook pages.
- Keep a pair of binoculars and a bird identification guide near the window by the bird feeder.
- Rinse out the tie-dyed shirts thoroughly before washing and drying them.
Learning and Exploring
Summer is a great time to keep kids’ minds active and engaged with fun, educational experiences. These activities make learning feel like an adventure.
16. Visit a zoo or aquarium
Learn about different animals and their habitats.
17. Try a science experiment
Make a volcano, create slime, or explore fun chemistry activities.
18. Go stargazing
Use an app or a telescope to learn about the night sky.
19. Visit a museum
Find a local children’s museum or history exhibit.
20. Learn to identify different plants and trees
Take a nature walk and learn the names of local flora.
Setting Tips
- Before visiting the zoo, look up the schedule for feeding times or special animal shows.
- Set up a “science lab” in your kitchen or garage for your experiments, covering surfaces for easy cleanup.
- For stargazing, head to an area with minimal city lights and bring blankets to lie on.
- Check the museum’s website for any special kid-friendly events or scavenger hunts they might offer.
- For your nature walk, bring a field guide or use a plant identification app on your phone.
- Let your child choose an animal to “research” at the zoo and have them tell you fun facts about it.
- Give your little scientist a “lab coat” (an old white shirt) and “goggles” to wear during experiments.
- Pack some hot chocolate in a thermos for your stargazing adventure.
- Many museums have a designated “kids’ corner” with hands-on activities.
- Have your child collect a leaf from each new tree they identify to press in a book.
Backyard Games and Sports
You do not need a lot of fancy equipment to have fun with backyard games. These classic activities are all about simple, active fun.
21. Play hopscotch
Use chalk to create a hopscotch course and jump away.
22. Have a three-legged race
Grab a partner and tie one of your legs together for a fun race.
23. Set up an obstacle course
Use cones, chairs, and ropes to create an exciting challenge.
24. Play frisbee golf
Set up targets in the backyard and throw frisbees to hit them.
25. Try hula hooping
See who can keep the hoop spinning the longest.
Setting Tips
- Create a very long and elaborate hopscotch board that winds around your driveway.
- For the three-legged race, set up a grassy course with a clear start and finish line.
- Incorporate a “timer” for the obstacle course to make it a race against the clock.
- For frisbee golf, make fun signs for each “hole” with its par number.
- Play some fun, upbeat music during your hula hoop competition.
- Use different colors of chalk to make your hopscotch board vibrant and exciting.
- Have a “championship” round for the three-legged race with the winners from each heat.
- Let the kids help design and build the obstacle course.
- Keep score for your frisbee golf game just like real golf.
- Have a small prize for the hula hoop champion.
Fun with Friends and Family
Summer is all about connection. These activities are perfect for making memories with friends and family members.
26. Host a lemonade stand
Make and sell refreshing lemonade to neighbors.
27. Have a DIY movie night outdoors
Use a projector and a white sheet to create a backyard theater.
28. Plan a picnic in the park
Pack some snacks and enjoy a meal outdoors.
29. Do a random act of kindness
Make a card for a neighbor, donate toys, or help clean up a park.
30. Make friendship bracelets
Create colorful bracelets to share with friends.
Setting Tips
- For the lemonade stand, make a fun, colorful sign and set up a small table and chairs.
- For the movie night, create a “concession stand” with popcorn, candy, and drinks.
- For the picnic, pack the food in a classic wicker basket to make it feel extra special.
- For the act of kindness, brainstorm a list of ideas together as a family.
- Set up a cozy crafting station with lots of different colors of embroidery floss for bracelet making.
- Let the kids help make the lemonade and design the sign for their stand.
- For the outdoor movie, lay out lots of pillows and blankets for a comfortable viewing area.
- Choose a park with a playground for your picnic so the kids can play after eating.
- Talk about how the act of kindness made them feel afterward.
- Learn a few different friendship bracelet patterns from online tutorials.
Cooking and Food Fun
31. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores
A summer classic that never gets old.
32. Bake cookies and deliver them to neighbors
Spread kindness with homemade treats.
33. Make fresh fruit popsicles
Blend fruit and juice to create healthy frozen snacks.
34. Try making your own pizza
Let kids pick their own toppings for a fun meal.
35. Have a backyard BBQ
Let kids help with simple tasks like setting up or preparing food.
Setting Tips
- For s’mores, use a backyard fire pit for an authentic campfire experience.
- Package the cookies in cute bags with a handmade tag before delivering them.
- For popsicles, use fun-shaped molds and try layering different colored fruits.
- Set up a “pizza topping bar” so everyone can easily assemble their own creation.
- For the BBQ, create a festive atmosphere with checkered tablecloths and string lights.
- Set up a s’mores station with different types of chocolate and marshmallows.
- Let the kids help decorate the cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
- Let the kids help choose the fruit combinations for their popsicles.
- Give each person a mini pizza crust to create their own personal pizza.
- Create a “kids’ table” at the BBQ with fun, kid-friendly decorations.
Gardening and Nature Activities
36. Plant flowers or vegetables
Teach kids how to grow and care for plants.
37. Start a butterfly garden
Plant flowers that attract butterflies and watch them visit.
38. Collect and press flowers
Make a beautiful flower book with pressed plants.
39. Build a fairy garden
Use small plants, rocks, and tiny decorations to create a magical space.
40. Grow herbs in small pots
Basil, mint, and parsley are easy to grow and fun to use in cooking.
Setting Tips
- Give your child a specific small section of the garden that is “theirs” to take care of.
- Set up a small bench near the butterfly garden for quiet observation.
- For flower pressing, use parchment paper to protect the pages of your book.
- Use a large, shallow pot or a broken terracotta pot as the base for your fairy garden.
- Set up the herb pots on a sunny kitchen windowsill for easy access.
- Let your child help choose which flowers or vegetables they want to plant.
- Keep a small journal to track which butterflies visit your garden.
- Once dried, use the pressed flowers to decorate cards or create suncatchers.
- Find tiny furniture and accessories for the fairy garden at a craft store.
- Let the kids sprinkle the fresh herbs they grew on their pizza or in a salad.
Adventure and Travel
41. Take a road trip to a new place
Explore a nearby town or attraction.
42. Ride bikes on a new trail
Find a scenic bike path and enjoy the ride.
43. Visit a farm and pick fresh fruit
Strawberry and blueberry picking are great summer activities.
44. Go to an amusement park
Enjoy roller coasters, games, and fun rides.
45. Try paddleboarding or canoeing
Introduce kids to a new water activity.
Setting Tips
- For the road trip, pack a special bag of car-only snacks and games.
- Before the bike ride, make sure everyone’s tires are full and helmets fit properly.
- At the farm, check which fruits are currently in season and ready for picking.
- At the amusement park, set a designated meeting spot in case anyone gets separated.
- For water activities, make sure everyone has a properly fitting life jacket.
- Let the kids help plan the road trip itinerary.
- Pack a picnic to enjoy after your bike ride.
- Plan to bake a pie or make jam with the fruit you pick.
- Look at the amusement park map beforehand and plan out which rides you want to go on first.
- Choose a calm, quiet cove or bay for your first time paddleboarding.
Relaxing and Unplugged Time
46. Read a summer-themed book
Pick a fun or adventurous book to enjoy during quiet time.
47. Have a “no screens” day
Spend a full day enjoying outdoor fun without phones or tablets.
48. Create a gratitude journal
Write down things to be thankful for every day.
49. Make a cozy reading nook outside
Set up pillows and blankets for a relaxing outdoor reading spot.
50. Have a lazy hammock day
Just relax, listen to nature, and enjoy a peaceful summer moment.
Setting Tips
- Set up a special “summer reading list” and let the kids choose their books.
- Plan out your “no screens” day ahead of time with a list of fun, alternative activities.
- Decorate a special notebook to be used as the gratitude journal.
- For the reading nook, use an old blanket or a shady spot under a tree.
- Hang the hammock in a quiet spot with a nice view if possible.
- Make weekly trips to the local library to keep the reading material fresh and exciting.
- Put all the electronic devices in a designated box for your “no screens” day.
- Do the gratitude journal together as a family each evening.
- Bring a pitcher of lemonade and some snacks out to the outdoor reading nook.
- Play some soft, relaxing music near the hammock.
Conclusion
Making a DIY summer bucket list poster with these 50 incredible activities is a fantastic way to keep your kids engaged, entertained, and excited for the entire summer.
Whether they love big outdoor adventures, quiet creative projects, or simply relaxing with a good book, there is truly something on this list for everyone to enjoy.
So grab some markers, a big piece of poster board, and let your kids have the fun of checking off each activity as you make wonderful, lasting memories together.thumb_upthumb_down