School is out summer is in! Make the most of it. These summer bucket ideas will keep your teens busy and having a good time.
And that’s what summer is all about!
This post contains affiliate links. After clicking one of these links, I might get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.Read our full disclosure and liability disclaimer.
Fun-Filled Summer Bucket List for Besties
Get ready to have a super awesome summer with your best friends!
1. Neighborhood Game Night
Have a blast by hosting a game night for the neighborhood teens/tweens. All you need is simple snacks and awesome games.
Play a round of
- capture the flag
- ghost in the grave yard
- balloon stump (Pump up balloons and tie one to everyone’s ankle. Try to pop the other’s balloons. Whoever has his balloon in the end wins.)
- nukem
- four corners
- dodge ball
Check out these lawn games. They are pretty fantastic. A couple of them work for a bigger group too.
Throw beach blankets on the grass and play totally awesome board games for teens.
2. Spontaneous Trip
Grab a map of your state or nearby area and randomly pick a place to visit. Or write down a few places on paper slips and pick one.
It will be fun for the whole family to go on this adventure.
Need some car game ideas?
3. Outdoor Concert
Many towns hold free summer concerts in the parks. It is a great way to spend time with family and friends.
Maybe you can bring snacks and a card game or two. Or just kick back and relax and enjoy the music.
4. Ice Cream Party
What is summer without an ice cream party!
It does not have to be anything big. Ice cream and friends and you have a party!
If you want to do something little more check out these ideas for a Fun-Filled Ice Cream Party.
5. Dinner at the Beach
Beautiful beach, delicious food, volley ball and swimming. An awesome way to spend a summer evening!
Play your favorite beach music and hang out with the friends. Make summer memories.
6. Fireworks
Go see the fireworks on the 4th or during a festival that many smaller towns hold throughout the summer.
7. Free Festival
And talking about festivals. Ton of options to choose from: music festivals, food festivals, film festivals…
Find a couple to attend. Will be lots of fun!
8. Outdoor Movie Night
There is something special about watching movies outside. Some towns have free movie nights too. And what’s stopping you from having your own.
Well, we all don’t have a big screen for the outdoors but if you only have a handful of people, get cozy and watch on a laptop.
Ask everyone to bring their favorite popcorn or prepare a pop corn bar.
9. Glow in the Dark Games
Summers are for staying up late and playing glow in the dark games.
Glow In the Dark Scavenger Hunt
- Get a set of glow sticks with connectors and various washi tape.
- Wrap a piece of washi tape around the connector (make one or several of each kind depending how you want to play the game)
- Make the bracelets.
- Prepare a scavenger hunt list for each player.
- Either asking them to find every kind of washi tape pattern or specific ones.
- You could also see who can find most different ones. Give minus points for grabbing more than one of the same.
Glow In the Dark Bowling
You’ll need water bottles, glow sticks, and a ball (sturdy enough to knock over the bottles)
Put a glow stick in the water bottle (the water helps to keep the bottles up so they won’t be blown over by breeze.)
Other glow in the dark games:
- Glow in the dark darts
- Glow Battle: A Light-Up Sword Game For Groups (A fun alternative to laser tag. For 2-20 players)
- Glow in the Dark Badminton
10. Bike Ride and a Picnic
Go for a bike ride and bring along a picnic lunch!
11. Amusem*nt Park
Who does not love roller coasters?! Me! I just like to watch BUT many others love those rides!
12. Luau Party
Aloha! Time for some hula.
Gather your friends for a fun summer party: Hawaiian Luau! Put on your grass skirts, play cool luau games and eat delicious food.
With these fabulous luau party ideas you’ll have your luau planned in no time.
Luau party printables from cool signs to pineapple donut toppers will make hosting a luau easy.
13. Star Gazing
Blanket and a beautiful star filled sky… that’s all you need.
14. Bonfire and Smores
Sit around the fire, eat S’mores and chat with friends. You could of course play glow in the dark games or flashlight tag!
Make the S’mores fun with a S’mores Bar!
Sure, you can make the good ol’ original S’mores but you might want to try out new variations too.
- Peaches and Cream: graham cracker, marshmallow, peach slice, white chocolate
- Cookies and Cream: chocolate graham cracker, marshmallow, cookies and cream chocolate
- Birthday Cake: graham cracker, marshmallow, icing, sprinkles, white chocolate
- Gone Nuts: graham cracker, marshmallow, peanut butter cup
- Aloha!: graham cracker, marshmallow, pineapple, almond joy
- Jungle Time: chocolate graham cracker, marshmallow, banana slices, milk chocolate
- Grasshopper: chocolate graham cracker, marshmallow, peppermint patty
Interested in a smokeless fire pit? Or making s’mores in cones? Check out the June Teen Fun ideas for tips!
15. Water Fun
Water balloons, sprinklers, water guns, sponges… all that fun stuff! Plan an afternoon of fun with siblings or friends. Play water tag, have a water balloon race (hold it on your head, between your legs, under your arms… see how many you can carry at one time.
You’ll have a great time.
16. Explore Your Home Town
Pretend you’re a tourist in your home town. Where would you go?
Visit a cafe you’ve never been to. Take pictures in front of monuments, statues, and landmarks.
17. Do Fun DIY Projects
Rain or shine, these summer crafts and DIY ideas give you something cool to do.
P.S. Save for later! My Tuesday Therapy is here to help you to make Great Memories!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or opinions, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on available sources.
Regarding this article about summer bucket ideas for teens, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in the article and provide information related to each one.
Neighborhood Game Night
Hosting a game night for neighborhood teens/tweens can be a fun way to spend time together. Some popular games that can be played are capture the flag, ghost in the graveyard, balloon stump, nukem, four corners, and dodgeball. These games can be played outdoors, and you can also check out lawn games that are suitable for a bigger group.
Spontaneous Trip
Taking a spontaneous trip can be an exciting adventure. You can grab a map of your state or nearby area and randomly pick a place to visit. Alternatively, you can write down a few places on paper slips and pick one. It can be a fun activity for the whole family.
Outdoor Concert
Many towns hold free summer concerts in parks, providing a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. You can bring snacks and card games or simply relax and enjoy the music.
Ice Cream Party
An ice cream party is a classic summer activity. It doesn't have to be elaborate; simply gathering with friends and enjoying ice cream can create a fun atmosphere. You can also explore ideas for a more elaborate ice cream party.
Dinner at the Beach
Having dinner at the beach can be a beautiful way to spend a summer evening. You can bring beach blankets, play beach music, and enjoy volleyball and swimming while making summer memories with friends.
Fireworks
Watching fireworks on the 4th of July or during festivals held by smaller towns throughout the summer can be a thrilling experience. It's a great way to celebrate and enjoy the festivities.
Free Festival
Summer offers a variety of festivals to choose from, such as music festivals, food festivals, and film festivals. Attending a couple of these festivals can provide lots of fun and entertainment.
Outdoor Movie Night
Watching movies outside can be a special experience. Some towns have free movie nights, but you can also create your own outdoor movie night with a laptop and a cozy setup. Ask everyone to bring their favorite popcorn or set up a popcorn bar for added enjoyment.
Glow in the Dark Games
Staying up late and playing glow in the dark games can be a fun way to embrace the summer spirit. Some glow in the dark games you can try are a scavenger hunt, bowling, darts, glow battle (a light-up sword game for groups), and glow in the dark badminton.
Bike Ride and a Picnic
Going for a bike ride and bringing along a picnic lunch can be a delightful way to enjoy the outdoors. You can explore scenic routes and find a picturesque spot for your picnic.
Amusem*nt Park
Visiting an amusem*nt park can be an exciting adventure, especially for those who love roller coasters and thrilling rides.
Luau Party
Hosting a Hawaiian Luau party can be a fun way to celebrate summer. You can dress up in grass skirts, play cool luau games, and enjoy delicious food. There are various luau party ideas available to help you plan your event.
Star Gazing
Lying on a blanket and gazing at the stars can be a peaceful and awe-inspiring activity. It's a simple way to appreciate the beauty of the night sky.
Bonfire and S'mores
Gathering around a bonfire, eating s'mores, and chatting with friends can create a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere. You can also try different variations of s'mores to add some variety to the classic treat.
Water Fun
Engaging in water activities like water balloons, sprinklers, water guns, and sponges can be a great way to cool off and have fun during the summer. You can plan an afternoon of water fun with siblings or friends and play games like water tag or have a water balloon race.
Explore Your Home Town
Pretending to be a tourist in your own hometown can be a unique way to discover new places and appreciate familiar surroundings. You can visit cafes you've never been to, take pictures in front of monuments and landmarks, and create lasting memories.
Fun DIY Projects
Engaging in DIY projects can be a creative and enjoyable way to spend your summer. Whether it's crafting, painting, or building something, there are numerous summer crafts and DIY ideas available to keep you entertained.
Remember, these are just some ideas mentioned in this article. If you have any specific questions or need more information on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
