How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (2024)

Summer. The longer days, the warmer weather, the more relaxed pace, and a well-deserved break from work or school. No wonder it’s a favourite time of year for many of us.

Is it just me, or does it sometimes feel like summer takes forever to get here,and then the next thing you know it’s passed in a blink of an eye?

And you are left wondering…what did I do…how did I spend my time?

Did I make the most of summer?

Yes? So what’s the answer? How can you feel like you have made the most of your summer?

Design your summer with a summer bucket list

Gretchen Rubins talks about the benefits of designing your summer in episode 224 and episode 325 of one of my favourite podcasts Happier with Gretchen Rubin.

Designing your summer is nothing more than thinking about what you’d like to do or achieve over the summer, and making plans to accomplish it. Gretchen discusses how with a little bit of planning or forethought you can create the summer vibe you want.

One way to do this is to create a summer bucket list.

A summer bucket list is essentially a written list of your plans for the summer. It will help you be more mindful and intentional about how you spend your time.

Writing down your plans down is key. You’ll be much more likely to take action on your summer plans and achieve them when you write them down.

Another great thing about writing down plans is that planning and anticipating something fun will make you feel happier. Having something to look forward to helps you feel positive about the future.

Not only will a written bucket list help you design your summer and give you something to look forward to, but it will also give you a way to look back, relive good memories and reflect on what you’ve done. All of which are great happiness boosters.

How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (1)

Tips for creating your summer bucket list

Don’t compare or compete

It can be helpful to get ideas from other people’s summer bucket lists, but remember your bucket list as individual as you and your family.

While it’s fun to look at other bucket lists for ideas or inspiration – don’t fall into the trap of comparing or competing to have the highest number, or the most fun, adventurous or exotic activities.

You don’t have to do 100 things or even 10 things. There doesn’t need to be a set number to achieve at all. It can simply be just a list of pick-and-mix ideas that’d you’d like to try.

Don’t treat it as a to-do list

The aim shouldn’t be to get a whole lot of things ticked off before the end of the summer.

This shouldn’t be another to-do list that makes you feel anxious about getting everything done. The last thing you want a bucket list to do is to make you feel pressured or overwhelmed.

Be intentional about it. Remember, the point of your bucket list is to help you to spend your time in a purposeful way and to do things that make you feel good.

Research Local Events

Find out what’s happening locally – whether in your town, city, state or province.

Are there any local fairs, carnivals, concerts, performances, or festivals planned for over the summer?

What does your local library or museum have planned for the summer? Are there any reading challenges or special exhibitions coming up?

Include a mix of different kinds of activities

When you’re creating your summer bucket list try to include a mix of different types of activities.

For example, think about activities for when the weather keeps you indoors. Perhaps it’s stormy, or raining (happens a lot here in Scotland!) or perhaps it gets too hot to spend too long outdoors.

Other types of activities to think about include:

  • Favourite activities – those things you like to do every summer
  • New activities – something you’ve never done before but would love to try
  • Creative ideas
  • Activities for the daytime
  • Nighttime activities
  • Activities involving the whole family
  • Solo activities – remember to include things just for you
  • Free/low-cost activities

Of course, things may fall into more than one category!

Camping is a good example. Maybe camping is something you’ve always wanted to try (or it could be a favourite activity for every summer), it’s outdoors, and if you already have camping gear (or can borrow it from someone else) it can be low-cost.

How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (2)

Summer bucket list ideas

Indoor ideas

1. Watch a movie

Start a list to keep track of movies you want to watch, old and new. Are there any new releases coming out over the summer you can’t wait to see?

2. Visit your local library

As well as browsing the book stacks, find out if your local library is holding any storytimes, book groups, craft activities or other events over the summer.

3. Read a book

Keep a running list of books you want to read so when you finish one, you’ll have ideas for what to read next.

4. Explore a museum or art gallery

Are there any museums or galleries in your local town you haven’t visited yet? Or do you have some favourites you like to go back to?

5. Play a board game

Dig out yourfavourite board games, or ask friends to bring over their favourite board games and hold a tornament.

6. Complete a jigsaw

Depending upon the size you could aim to complete a jigsaw in a day or over the course of a few days, or a week.

7. Learn a new card game

Or teach your favourite card game to your friends or family.

8. Make a summery recipe

How about homemade ice cream or popsicles, lemonade, elderflower cordial. Or a summer co*cktail perhaps?

How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (3)

9. Compile a summer playlist

Put together a list of your favourite summer songs, old and new.

10. Start a craft project

Paint or tie-dye a t-shirt, try some origami, design jewellery, or make puppets.

11. Go bowling

Great fun for all ages, I’m always surprised how much I enjoy bowling!

Outdoor ideas

12. Go for a walk or a hike

Explore a path or trail in your neighbourhood, or plan an expedition further afield.

13. Attend an outdoor concert or production

14. Go on a camping trip

Or camp in your backyard.

15. Laze in a hammock

While away some time reading a book while swinging in your hammock, have a nap, or just do nothing.

16. Have a picnic

Pack up some tasty treats and a blanket and find somewhere scenic to enjoy them.

17. Grow something in a pot, or in your garden

How about some herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, or wildflowers?

18. Go on a bike ride

19. Have a scavenger hunt

20. Go berry picking

Then bake something delicious with the berries. Perhaps make somejam or preserves.

21. Host a BBQ/cookout

22. Make a bonfire

Whether you are away camping or have a fire pit for your backyard, remember the marshmallows and make some s’mores too.

23. Stargaze

Grab a blanket, lay on the ground and gaze up at the sky. Which constellations you can spot?

24. Do some yoga outside

25. Visit a farmers market

Try tasting a new fruit or vegetable you discover at the market. Get inspired to create some tasty summer meals with fresh, local ingredients.

26. Create some sidewalk art

Grab some chalk or watercolour paint and get creative.

27. Visit a state or national park

It could be for a picnic, a walk, a hike, camping or all four!

28. Dip your feet in cool water

Whether it’s in a paddling pool, at the beach, in a river, a pond, a stream, a lake (or a loch) nothing says summer like dipping your bare feet into refreshing cool water.

29. Visit a zoo, safari park or aquarium

30. Cloudspotting

Look for shapes and pictures in the clouds, and also try to identify them. Do you know your cirrus from your cumulonimbus?

So there you have it – 30 ideas for a summer bucket list.

Which ideas appeal to you? Any old favourites? Any new places you’d love to explore or activities you want to try?

How will you design your summer this year?

Pin for Later

How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (4)
How to Design a Lovely Summer (& 30 Bucket List Ideas) (2024)

FAQs

How do you design your summer? ›

Summer bucket list ideas
  1. Watch a movie. Start a list to keep track of movies you want to watch, old and new. ...
  2. Visit your local library. ...
  3. Read a book. ...
  4. Explore a museum or art gallery. ...
  5. Play a board game. ...
  6. Complete a jigsaw. ...
  7. Learn a new card game. ...
  8. Make a summery recipe.

How do you make a creative bucket list? ›

Three Ways to Get Started
  1. Try and think of one thing from each of the categories in 6 that you've already done and add it to the list. ...
  2. Think through the last 3 months and add anything you've done that seems bucket list worthy.
  3. Included something easy that you're about to do.
Apr 7, 2023

How do you plan a bucket list? ›

How to Make a Bucket List Journal in 5 Steps
  1. Self Reflection and Brainstorming. ...
  2. Organize Your Unique Bucket List Ideas. ...
  3. Trim It Down and Set a Time Frame. ...
  4. Share Your Bucket List Goals. ...
  5. Start Checking Things Off and Keep It Updated.
Feb 13, 2023

What is on your bucket list answer? ›

These 50 bucket list ideas might spark some inspiration — and a bit of bravery, too.
  • Sleep under the stars. ...
  • Visit your dream destination. ...
  • Go back to school. ...
  • Learn how to paint. ...
  • Read 100 books in a year. ...
  • Jump out of a plane. ...
  • Go on the most romantic date ever. ...
  • Bake a cake from scratch.
Mar 28, 2023

How can I design more creatively? ›

That's why we're bringing you 10 ways to improve your creativity.
  1. Learn about the history of design & art. ...
  2. Learn how to sketch. ...
  3. Educate Yourself. ...
  4. Get feedback. ...
  5. Practice makes perfect (design) ...
  6. Brainstorm new ideas. ...
  7. Use the six thinking hats technique. ...
  8. Start using Mind maps.

How can I make summer more interesting? ›

24 Fun Activities to Add to Your Bucket List for Summer
  1. See a Drive-In Movie. Drive-in movie theaters are seeing a resurgence. ...
  2. Learn to Sew. Some days it's just too hot to venture outside, so summer is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. ...
  3. Grill Out. ...
  4. Plant Vegetables. ...
  5. Volunteer. ...
  6. Make Tie-Dye Shirts. ...
  7. Make S'mores.
Sep 3, 2022

How do you make a summer bucket list? ›

Here's everything to have on your summer bucket list:
  1. Watch the sunset on the beach.
  2. Go to an outdoor movie screening.
  3. Take a road trip.
  4. Go on a hike.
  5. Have a picnic in the park.
  6. Learn a new language.
  7. Attend a music festival.
  8. Go camping.
Apr 25, 2023

What should a bucket list look like? ›

Include anything you like on your bucket list. List career goals, travel destinations, health, finance, or relationship goals. It can be as long or as short as you want. Really, if you can dream it, you can do it.

How do you brainstorm a bucket list? ›

Continue reading for six simple steps to creating and conquering a bucket list that mirrors your life goals.
  1. Brainstorm What You'd Like to Accomplish. ...
  2. Prioritize the Tasks Included on Your List. ...
  3. Identify a Common Theme of Your Bucket List. ...
  4. Set a Time Frame to Accomplish Each Task. ...
  5. Share Your Bucket List Among Loved Ones.

What is the first thing on your bucket list? ›

Here are 101 bucket list ideas to inspire you:
  • Travel to all seven continents.
  • Skydive from a plane.
  • Swim with dolphins.
  • Learn to surf.
  • Go on a safari in Africa.
  • Visit the Great Wall of China.
  • Take a road trip across a country.
  • Learn a new language fluently.
Jul 22, 2023

How do I make a life list? ›

Newton suggests using the SMART principle in making a life list.
  1. S is for making your goals specific. ...
  2. M is for making your goals measurable. ...
  3. A is for making your goals attainable. ...
  4. R is for making goals relevant to you. ...
  5. T is for time-bound.

What is a bucket planner? ›

Office for business Microsoft Planner. After adding tasks, you can sort them into buckets to help break things up into phases, types of work, departments, or whatever makes the most sense for your plan.

What is personal bucket list? ›

A bucket list is a list of the experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. A bucket list is an itemized list of goals people want to accomplish before they “kick the bucket” — or die.

What can I do in life? ›

7 Ways to Find the Answer to "What Should I Do With My Life?"
  • Talk to People. Meet or call at least 50 people. ...
  • Get Started. My suggestion is to do something. ...
  • Gather Inspiration From Others. ...
  • Prepare for a Long Journey. ...
  • Leave Your Comfort Zone. ...
  • Be Okay With Failing. ...
  • Enjoy Not Knowing.

What's in my bucket activity? ›

Steps for attention bucket –

“I have something in my bucket, in my bucket, in my bucket, I have something in my bucket, I wonder what it is. (Sing and sign as shown in the video. An adult will then take out an item from the bucket, name the item and demonstrate using the toy. (Child is required to sit and observe).

How do I plan to spend my summer? ›

Tips to Plan Summer Vacations

Make a list of your plans and schedule them properly. Mark in the calendar for the days you want to go for a trip or camp. Plan a schedule for activities such as swimming and hiking. Join hobby classes immediately to learn something new by the end of your vacations.

How to decorate a summer home? ›

Bring Summer to MidMod Spaces

This can create a crisp, clean look for your summer decorating. Opt for whites and creams to keep the atmosphere bright. Choose furniture and decor with organic shapes and geometric lines. Add plants and flowers to the mix to create that indoor-outdoor connection.

How can I design my day? ›

How To Design Your “Perfect” Day.
  1. 1 hour for my morning routines.
  2. 2 hours for writing.
  3. 2 hours for coaching calls.
  4. 1 hour for exercise.
  5. 2 hours family time.
  6. 6 hours for sleeping.
  7. 1 hour for communications (email, calls, and other messages)
  8. 1 hour for general admin.
Mar 3, 2021

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