Summer Bucket List

Happy Summer Solstice! Every day is a big adventure with bare feet, messy hands, and sun-kissed cheeks. This summer, we’re slowing down - splashing in streams, and letting curiosity lead the way. ☀️🌿

Use this bucket list to spark your own outdoor adventures this season—keeping wonder, imagination, and creativity at the heart of it all. Today is the longest day of the year, go out and enjoy it!

make a sandcastle

Pack a bucket and shovel and head to a beach, lake, or sandbox near you! Build together, decorate with shells or sticks, and let imaginations run wild as explorers create their own tiny shoreline worlds.

search for seashells

Slow down by the shore and see what treasures you can find! Whether it’s seashells, smooth stones, or beach glass, let kids explore, collect, and sort their finds with care and curiosity. Ask out loud "I wonder what creature lived here?" to spark curiosity and wonder.

Visit a new greenspace

Try a park, trail, or nature area your family hasn’t explored yet — even a small patch of trees or grass can offer new discoveries. A change of scenery often leads to new sparks of creativity. Bonus if it's by the beach!

run through a sprinkler

Cool down the classic way! Set up a sprinkler or spray hose and let kids race, splash, and laugh or even make up their own game. Add music or popsicles for extra summer magic.

Soak up the sun

Take daily life outdoors — reading, building, crafting, even folding laundry. No activity is too small to enjoy in the sunshine, and sometimes the best play happens when we simply bring it outside.

visit a new farmers market

Wander, sample seasonal fruit, and talk to growers. Encourage kids to choose a new veggie or snack to try. It's a great way to learn about local food and connect with your community. Find one here.

Ice cream for lunch

Do I have to say more?

host a donation-based lemonade stand

Combine kindness and creativity with a cause! Donate the proceeds to a local nonprofit or collect gear and gently used items for kids or families in need.

make extra big bubbles

Mix up a bubble solution and experiment with DIY wands — straws, pipe cleaners, or even branches work! Grab a kiddie pool and a hula hoop for extra big fun.

pick flowers with a friend

Gather wildflowers (safely and respectfully!) or use blooms from your yard to make small bouquets. Add sticks and other nature treasures to make them super unique. Share them with a neighbor, a friend, or someone who needs a little brightness in their day.

play in the mud

All you need is dirt, water, and some courage to get messy. Make mud pies, build roads, or just squish and stomp. Let go of clean clothes and embrace the joy of it!

Elf your neighbors - summer style

Surprise a neighbor or friend with a sunshine-themed goodie bag! Add bubbles, DIY smores kit (ok make sure the chocolate doesn't melt,) chalk, or a small bouquet. Include a handwritten note to brighten their day.

go camping (even if it's in your back yard!)

Pitch a tent under the stars or set up a fort on the porch. Read stories by flashlight, make s’mores, and listen for nighttime sounds — all the fun of camping, without the packing stress.

Do something every day to make the world a better place

Kindness counts — big or small. Smile at a stranger, hold the door, write thank-you notes, or bring treats to your local helpers. Simple acts make ripples in your community and beyond.