Are you out of ideas for things to do with your family this summer?

These are the things we plan to do this summer. Hopefully we can check all of these things off the list and start some new traditions.

Maybe I won’t hear “Mom, I’m bored” a thousand times a day.

Wishful thinking… I know. But this is a good start I think!

Most of the things in this list are simple and budget-friendly. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun and enjoy time with your family. 

Print out the summer bucket list below and try to check off as many things as you can with your family this year. 

40 Fun Things To Do With Your Family This Summer

1. Have a picnic

Enjoy the warm weather and take your favorite picnic food to the park to eat lunch.

2. Go to the beach

Plan a trip to the beach with your family – even if it is just for the weekend!

3. Host a cookout

Get your friends and family together for a backyard BBQ this summer.

4. Go for a hike

Visit a nearby trail or park – it doesn’t have to be a long uphill trail, just something simple and family friendly

5. Visit a local zoo or aquarium

In our area you can get free zoo passes at the local library – check your area for these types of things. 

6. Outdoor movie night

Set up a projector outside and watch a movie under the stars

7. Have a water balloon fight

This is perfect for those super hot days when you can’t get to the pool – the kids will love it and it is a fun family activity!

8. Go on a bike ride

Ride through your neighborhood or on a trail

9. Go fishing 

Go to a nearby lake, pond or river and have a family fishing day

10. Visit an amusement park

Go to an amusement park, fair or carnival for the day

11. Plant flowers

Create a garden or just plant some flowers in front of your house

12. Make homemade ice cream

When I was growing up we always made homemade ice cream in the summer and now it’s something my kids love to do!

13. Play mini golf

They have outdoor and indoor putt putt places – this is a fun family friendly activity that everyone can do.

14. Have a scavenger hunt 

Kids love trying to find things – set up a scavenger hunt around your house or neighborhood

15. Camp out in your backyard

Set up your tents and make a small fire pit in the backyard for a fun “staycation”.

16. Have a pool day

Spend the day hanging out by the pool or splashpad.

17. Make popsicles 

Let the kids make their own homemade popsicles.

18. Family game night

We sometimes have our game nights outside on the back porch in the summer

19. Go berry picking

Visit a local “pick your own” farm to pick berries

20. Tie-dye day

Let the kids tie-dye shirts outside

21. Have a lake day

Enjoy a day out on the lake eating your favorite boat snacks and soaking up the sun!

22. Create chalk art

Draw outside on the driveway or side walk with chalk

23. Play frisbee or ball at the park

This is something we always do as a family when we have a picnic at the park 

24. Make s’mores

If you have a fire pit in your back yard have a s’mores night (if you don’t we have lots of indoor s’mores recipes here)

25. Make no-bake cookies together

My kids love helping me make no-bake desserts in the summer and I love it because my kitchen doesn’t get hot!

26. Play in the sprinkler

We have a cool little sprinkler that hooks up to the water hose and it’s perfect for hot days that we can’t go to the pool

27. Complete a puzzle

This is something to do on rainy days – it’s a good way to get the family together for an activity 

28. Fly a kite

Is it windy out today? Take the kids outside to fly a kite!

29. Blow bubbles

They make some really cool bubble machines these days or you could make your own! My kids love making the DIY colored bubbles.  

30. Stargaze

Lay outside on a clear night and look at the stars. Or maybe get a telescope to make it even more fun!

31. Watch fireworks

This is the perfect thing to do for 4th of July! They have so many festivals and firework shows that is a whole day activity for the family.

32. Go on a road trip

You can just go on a day trip to a cool place nearby. Doesn’t have to be overnight – just for the day.

33. Play laser tag

My kids love to play laser tag! It’s a fun indoor family activity.

34. Go bowling 

We usually go bowling and play laser tag at the same time. The place near our house has both in the same building. 

35. Go to the waterpark

Spend a hot day outside at the waterpark. Let the kids play while you lay out in the sun by the water.

36. Take family photos

Schedule a photo shoot with your family or just have one at a pretty park. We usually do this while we are at the beach. 

37. Watch the sunset

Spend the evening outside and watch the sunset while you eat dinner.

38. Catch fireflies

This was one of my favorite things to do as a kid, now it’s something I love to do with my kids too.

39. Play in the rain

Rainy day? Go outside and play in it – as long as it isn’t lightening of course!

40. Play frisbee or football

My son would play catch in any form 24/7 if he could. This is something we do all the time!

Print this family summer bucket list so you have ideas for things to do all summer long! 

Let the kids pick some of the things and have a fun filled summer with your whole family!