Our Summer Bucket List: Outdoor Fun, Day Trips, + Simple Memories

Summer always feels like the season where we can slow down a little, get outside more, and make simple family memories together. I love making a seasonal bucket list because it gives us some fun things to look forward to without making summer feel overly scheduled.

I always print our seasonal bucket lists and post them on the fridge where everyone can see them. It keeps us reminded of all the simple, fun things we want to do together during the summer.

I started making these lists years ago as a way to be more intentional with our time as our kids grow and get older. Summer has a way of flying by so quickly, and without a little list like this, it’s easy to get to the end of the season and realize we didn’t do some of the things we were hoping to do.

This isn’t meant to be a strict checklist or one more thing to keep up with. It’s just a fun reminder of the memories we want to make — the beach days, bike rides, ice cream stops, campfires, backyard projects, and simple family outings that make summer feel special.

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Here’s our family summer fun bucket list for this year:

You can save it, screenshot it, or print it out and use it with your own family. Use it exactly as it is or as inspiration to create your own version that fits you and your schedule.

a camp tent in the background with a campfire roaring

Outdoor Adventures

Go to the beach — You can never go to the beach too much in the summer. Living in Michigan, we have our pick of beautiful lakes and beaches! Pack snacks, towels, sand toys, and make a full summer day of being by the water.
Go camping — This is a family favorite for us. Every year we try to book one to two camping trips. It’s so refreshing to spend a few days outside hiking, bike riding, cooking simple meals, and enjoying slower family time together. (Check my Amazon Camping List for all your camping essentials!)
Have a backyard camp out — Set up the tent in the backyard for an easy camping night close to home. This is also such a fun thing to do with friends. Have a campfire, roast marshmallows, talk around the fire, and make breakfast on the Blackstone in the morning.
Go fishing — This is something we haven’t done as a family yet, but I think it would be such a great experience. Find a quiet spot and spend the morning or evening by the water.
Go to a waterpark — A waterpark is always a fun way to cool off on a hot summer day. It makes for a full day of slides, swimming, snacks, and summer fun. If you’re local, we love to go to Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio – it’s not too far away and a blast!
Have a campfire — Sit outside together, talk, and enjoy a slower summer evening. We also love having a fire during the day if we happen to catch one of those cooler summer days.
Have s’mores — A simple summer classic that the kids always love. We do this multiple times during the season and it never gets old.
Go on a long family bike ride — Pick a trail or a favorite route and make an afternoon of it. I love having a destination in mind, like a playground or an ice cream shop, so there’s a fun reward at the end.
Go on a hike — Find a nature trail and spend some time exploring outside. It doesn’t have to be anything long or complicated — even a short hike can feel like a little summer adventure.
Go to the zoo — Walk around, visit your favorite animals, and enjoy a full family day out. You could even try a new zoo you haven’t been to before.
Ride bikes downtown — This is such a fun way to explore, get outside, and stop somewhere along the way. We love checking out the riverfront in downtown Detroit and seeing what new things have been added.
Visit a new playground — Try a park we haven’t been to before. It’s always exciting to visit somewhere new.
Go to an outdoor pool — We don’t own a pool but we know a few people that have pools in their community. If not, there are usually community pools that costs a little bit but it’s nice to spend the day swimming and playing in the sun.
Fly kites — Pick a breezy day and head to an open field or park. And trust me on this one — get a reusable kite that doesn’t require poles. It makes the whole thing so much easier.
Have a water balloon fight — This is such a simple backyard activity, but it always feels like summer. Grab some reusable water balloons and a few water squirters, and the kids will have a blast.

a beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas

Summer Outings

Go to a carnival — Ride rides, play games, and enjoy all the classic summer carnival treats. Carnivals always feel like one of those simple, nostalgic summer outings.
Watch fireworks — Bring a blanket and enjoy a summer night together. In Metro Detroit, there are so many fireworks shows to choose from that we could probably find one every weekend if we wanted to!
Watch a parade — This is something we haven’t done much as a family, but it would be such a fun way to enjoy a local summer event. It’s also a simple way to get out, be part of the community, and make a normal summer day feel special.
Go to the farmers market — Walk around, people watch, pick out fresh produce, grab flowers, or find a fun treat. Farmers markets are such an easy way to enjoy a slower summer morning.
Go to Eastern Market — In Detroit, we have Eastern Market, which is like a farmers market but so much more. It’s such a fun place to spend the day walking around, shopping, exploring, and finding something good to eat.
Go blueberry picking — If you’re local, one of our favorite places to go is Spicer Orchards. Grab a bucket, pick as many fresh blueberries as you can stand in the heat, and bring some home to freeze for muffins, pancakes, smoothies, or snacks.
Play mini golf — A simple family outing that everyone can enjoy. It’s easy, lighthearted, and always ends up being more fun than you expect.
Go golfing — My husband is a big golfer, so our kids have been golfing since they could walk. I’m not a golfer, but I do love riding around in the cart and watching. Being on the course is peaceful, and it’s always a great chance to see wildlife too.
Go to a museum — This is a great option for a slower day or a rainy summer afternoon. There are also so many free museum options, and we love free!
Go bowling — An easy and usually inexpensive indoor activity when you need a break from the heat. It’s also a great option for a random weekday when everyone needs to get out of the house.
Go to the movies — Pick a fun summer movie and make it a family date. Our local theaters usually play older movies at a discount during the summer, which makes it an easy and affordable outing.
Go to an arcade — Play a few games together and let the kids pick their favorites. This is a fun one to add in on a hot day or as part of a little family date.
Go to garage sales — We are a thrifting family and love to score a good deal. Spend a weekend morning driving around neighborhoods or subdivisions to see what garage sales you can find.
Ride a train — Take a short train ride just for fun, or make it part of a day trip. Sometimes the ride itself is the adventure, especially for kids.
Go on a road trip — Even a short drive somewhere new can feel like an adventure. Pack snacks, pick a destination, and make a simple summer memory out of the day. (Check out my Amazon Travel List for all the road trip favs for kids.)

Food and Treats

Go get ice cream — Visit a favorite ice cream shop or try a new one. We had a local ice cream shop near our old house that I still miss so much. We used to walk there at least once a week during the summer, and it always felt like such a simple little tradition.
Make popsicles — Use juice, yogurt, fruit, or lemonade for an easy summer treat. This is a fun one for kids to help with, and it’s always nice to have something cold ready in the freezer. We love this dinosaur popsicle mold!
Make homemade ice cream — This is a fun kitchen activity that also feels a little bit like science. The best part is that it turns into dessert when you’re done. This KiwiCo ice cream kit looks so fun!
Eat from a food truck — Find a local food truck and try something new. It’s a fun way to mix up a normal lunch or dinner and support a small local business.
Make a new meal on the grill — I love finding new recipes that our family enjoys, and I usually try to find at least one new meal each season. Summer is the perfect time to try something new on the grill.
Have a BBQ party at our house — Invite family or friends over for food, outdoor play, and a relaxed summer evening. It’s not really summer without at least one backyard get-together.

outdoor movie night with a string of lights and blankets

holding s'morews with a fire in the background

Creative Activities

Make bracelets — Use beads, string, or letter beads for a fun summer craft. The kids can make them for themselves, trade them with each other, or give them away to friends.
Build with cardboard — Save boxes and let the kids create whatever they imagine. If you want to step it up a notch, grab a Makedo kit for endless creativity and building.
Paint a plant pot — Decorate a pot, plant something inside, and watch it grow and bloom throughout the summer.
Make a stepping stone — Get a kit and let the kids add handprints, pretty stones, or little decorations. It’s such a sweet way to display those memories in the yard for years to come.
Build a new birdhouse or bird feeder — Make something for the backyard birds to enjoy. Home Depot and Lowe’s often host free kids’ building workshops, and there’s usually something fun and seasonal to make during the summer.
Make a fairy garden — Use a pot, planter, or little outdoor space to create a tiny garden. Dollar Tree usually has so many cute fairy garden trinkets, making this an easy and inexpensive summer project.
Raise frogs — We have a small water barrel pond with fish and water lilies, so it’s a great opportunity to add some tadpoles. The kids can watch them grow and learn about the frog life cycle.
Participate in your library’s summer reading program — Our library offers awesome rewards for reading every day during the summer. We’ve gotten trampoline park passes, roller skating passes, and free kids’ meals at restaurants. I also participate as an adult and have won gift cards. Check out our summer reading bookshelf for more fun reading ideas!
Have an outdoor movie night — Set up a projector or laptop outside with blankets and snacks. Or live the life like us and get a rolling TV stand. We usually keep ours in our bedroom, but we love bringing it outside to enjoy an outdoor movie around the campfire.
Have a family game night — Pull out a few favorite board games or card games and play together. It’s a simple way to slow down, laugh together, and enjoy a cozy night at home. (Check out my Amazon list of our favorite family games!)

A Summer to Remember

I love that this list has a mix of big outings, backyard fun, creative projects, and simple family traditions. Summer doesn’t have to be packed with expensive activities to feel special. Sometimes the best memories come from ice cream after dinner, a bike ride, a campfire, or a slow day outside together.

💬 What’s on your family’s summer bucket list this year? Tell me in the comments — I’d love to add more ideas to our list for next summer.

If you want to come back to this later, be sure to save these images on Pinterest.