Summer Bucket List For Teens

Need help coming up with fun activities to do as a family this summer??? Check out my list of ideas for your summer bucket list for teens!

One of my favorite family traditions happens on the last day of school. We take the kids out for ice cream and then create a Summer Bucket List. It’s obviously changed over the years as they’ve gotten older, but their favorites make a repeat every year. I definitely encourage you to make them a part of the process when creating your summer bucket list.

Hit The Beach

The quintessential summer activity that everyone should have on their summer bucket list for teens! Make a day of it for the family and/ or with friends. Swim in the ocean or lay out on the beach.

Tube The River

There’s not much better than floating down a cold river on a hot day.

Summer Road Trip

Pack up the car and go somewhere fun for the day, weekend or week. Let them take turns driving and picking the music.

Mini Golf

We don’t do this very often and sometimes it can be a little cheesy, but we all love it.

Build an Amazing Sandcastle

Watch some YouTube videos or even take lessons to make the ultimate sandcastle!

Surfing Lessons

Summer is a good time to learn a new skill and what would be better than one in the ocean?

Watch Fireflies

Sometimes it’s great to just chill out at night and look for fireflies.

Visit an Aquarium

We love visiting aquariums or as my daughter calls them “Underwater Zoos”.

Backyard Camp Out

Not ready for a full camping trip, camp out in the backyard. Invite friends to participate too.

Drive In Movie

These are making a comeback, so hopefully there is one in your area. Don’t forget to bring along pillows, blankets and snacks!

Go to the Lake

Spend a day on the lake.

Go Hiking

Challenge your teens to a more difficult trail than your family is used to doing.

Celebrate the Fourth of July

Find a festival, parade or 4th of July event in your area to attend together. Dress patriotically.

Roof Top Restaurant

If your teens are foodies, check out a roof top restaurant. Even better if you time it with the sunset.

Kayaking

Summer is all about getting in the water! Take a tour or just kayak around the lake.

Paddle Boarding

Another water activity that everyone should try once.

Baseball Game

Another quintessential summer activity that should be on every summer bucket list for teens, baseball! Check out a local or professional baseball game. Hot dogs are a must!

Outdoor Concert

Find local live music that the whole family will enjoy

Eat Barbecue

Maybe this is more of a Texas thing, but in the summer you’ve got to indulge in BBQ!

Go Camping

Full disclosure, not every teen will be thrilled with this one. However if you can talk them into it, it’s a great way to disconnect as a family and hang together. One of my favorite Summer Bucket List for Teens ideas!

Beach Volleyball

Grab some friends and host a game of beach volleyball.

Watch the Sunset

Find a scenic spot in your city and watch the sunset together.

Ice Cream Date

Everyone loves ice cream! Check out a new ice cream spot or try a new flavor.

Pool

Hang out by the pool for a day. Your own or a local city pool.

Zoo

Throw back to when your teens loved the zoo. Here’s a hint, most of them still do.

Camp Fire

Build a campfire in the backyard. Roast hot dogs, make smores and tell stories.

Fireworks

Some cities offer weekly firework shows. Check and see if your or a nearby city does.

Nap in a Hammock

Kind of self explanatory, but there’s nothing like chilling in a hammock for the afternoon.

Water park

Check out a local water park and spend the day. Challenge yourself to go on every ride!

Amusement Park

Check out a local theme park. I’m a roller coaster fanatic, so this is one of my favorite summer bucket list activities too. Spend a day riding every ride!

Eat Watermelon

This is probably my son’s favorite activity. He can eat a watermelon everyday!

Sleep On A Trampoline

Sleeping under the stars is a fun experience. Even more fun when it’s on a trampoline! Just make sure to use bug spray!!

Farmer’s Market

Visit a farmer’s market and buy local produce. Make dinner from the items you bought!

Picnic

Check out a local park or a new park and have an old fashioned picnic!

Water Balloon Fight

This is one of the most fun activities on the bucket list for teens! It’s also a LOT of work. These balloons take forever to blow up and the fun only lasts for a few minutes. It’s still worth it!

Berry Picking

Find a local farm that you can pick your own berries. We have blueberry and raspberry farms near Dallas, but unfortunately no strawberries. Check out what you have nearby!

Snow Cones

This is the perfect treat on a hot summer day!

Star Gazing

Find a spot with minimal city lights and plan a star gazing adventure!

Photo Shoot in Your Hometown

Teens love taking photos or having cute photos of themselves. Make a day of it and hit all the cool Instagramable spots in your city.

Game Night

Have a fun family game night with outdoor Jenga or other teen approved games.

Visit a Museum

Any museum- Art, Science, History, whatever will interest your teens.

Flower Field

Find a field with sunflowers or other wild flowers to check out. My daughter absolutely loves sunflowers!

Pedicure

Fun activity to do at the beginning of the summer before wearing all those sandals and flip flops.

Homemade Lemonade

Fresh squeezed lemonade is a favorite in our house.

Stay Up All Night

I started this when my kids were in elementary and it’s been a favorite ever since. Although now they pull a lot more all nighters than they should, lol. Plan activities for the whole night kind of like a lock in. I would try and find things that open super late or all night to help fill time.

Sunrise Picnic

A perfect way to end the all nighter is grabbing some bagels and heading out to watch the sunrise.

Netflix Binge

Find a new TV series to binge together.

Movie Marathon

Have a movie marathon!! Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Chick Flicks, all the Avengers or create your own list.

Dog Park

If you have a four legged family member get them involved too! Check out a new dog park in the area.

Ice Cream Truck

Chase down an ice cream truck!

Try Something New

This can be learning a new language, cooking, fishing, mountain biking, rafting, anything.

Go Carting

This is such a fun activity for adults, teens and kids.

Zip Lining

This is sure to get your heart racing this summer!

Staycation

Do all the touristy things in your city. Even stay in a hotel if your budget allows.

Slurpie

Celebrate 7-11 with a Slurpie at 7/11

Get Crafty

Tye Dye a shirt, make a summer scrapbook or something for your room over the summer break.

Visit a State Park or National Park

Find a park you haven’t been to before and check it out for the day.

Bike Ride

Take a long scenic family bike ride together in a new area or even around the neighborhood.

As you can see, there are more than 50 ideas to create your own summer bucket list for teens. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to have fun and enjoy the moment. Unfortunately they grow up way to quickly!

Do you have any ideas I should add to the Summer Bucket List for Teens list?

Will you be in Dallas this summer? Check out the Dallas Summer Bucket List.