14 Summer Bucket List Ideas + Essentials for Mom & Dad
Congratulations! You made it through another long school year!!! No more late night homework help and early morning carpool drop-off. Now that the kids are out of school, it’s time for the entire family to relax, take a break, and enjoy summer! Get the most out of your summer with these fun summer essentials, perfect for mom and dad.
We received a variety of samples in exchange for this post. All opinions are our own.
Summer Bucket List for Mom & Dad
1. Play a Game Together
Summer time fun always seems to be focused on the kids, but what about all the fun you can have with your friends, or as a family? At our next BBQ, you will find us in the backyard playing Bocce Ball with this beautiful heirloom quality set from MainStShop.com. This set will provide years and years of backyard fun and memories. MainStShop.com is a new online retail company featuring beautiful, covetable, and useful products made in the USA.
2. Go on an Adventure
Our summer is filled with outing after outing. This summer I am bringing my Urbana Sacs along. Whether it is a stroll through the farmers market or a trip to the beach, my X-Large Carry Sac is coming with me. Individually handmade from washable paper -yes washable paper- Urbana Sacs is a new collection of uniquely designed bags for everyday use. How awesome is it these bags can be washed and used over and over again? You just dip in water and shape to suit your needs.
3. Save Money This Summer
It is summer time. The kids are home all day, and while it is so much fun to have them around, it sure can expand the grocery budget quickly. That is why I use FLIPP. FLIPP is your essential app for your weekly shopping and the only app that matches local circular deals with coupons from the brands you love to bring you the most savings. You just add loyalty cards from your favorite stores on to your app and then clip coupon deals to your card for instant savings at checkout. With all the store you shop at most like Walmart, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens, Kroger, and over 800 more retailers. You can save 20-50% on the items you need every week. Take that money you save and go do something awesome this summer. With FLIPP’s help, you will be able to have twice as much fun. FLIPP is available from iTunes and Google Play.
4. Snuggle up with your Sweetie
Take a moment, or sneak one every night if you can, to unwind at the end of the day with someone you love. That could be a spouse, boyfriend, significant other, your kids, or even a niece or nephew. Spending those moments together will help you reconnect and plan to make the most of your remaining summer nights. We love our Collage.com personalized blankets for getting comfy on the couch. They can be personalized with photos of your summer adventures, or your love story.
5. Take a Camping Trip
Summer break just doesn’t seem like summer until you take that first camping trip. It’s so nice to get out in the wild and away from technology and just spend time together. Coleman has an innovative new tent to make sleeping much easier, with their Dark Room technology that blocks 98.4% dawn and dusk sunlight – helping the kids to fall asleep easier at night, and not wake up so darn early in the morning! The Carlsbad Fast Pitch 6-person Darkroom Tent is incredibly easy to setup, too.
6. Update your Wardrobe
Give your closets a makeover with some fresh pops of bright and vibrant colors. Make sure you tuck all your sweaters and boots away and pull out swimsuits, shorts, and sandals. Marshalls and T.J.Maxx can help you refresh your wardrobe on a budget with the latest trends and lots of accessories to finish off your style. I’m loving the fun teals that are so popular right now!
7. Have a Backyard Barbecue
Plan a barbecue and invite over your family and friends. Perhaps even make it an annual tradition that everyone can look forward to. Plan the main entrée and let your guests bring in potluck style sides and drinks to round out the meal to keep your planning and setup simple. When you hit the grill, Debbie Meyer grilling bags can make your clean-up a cinch and prevent cross contamination. They’re great for cooking meat, fish, and veggies. When you’re done cooking, just cut open the bag and toss it – clean-up is done!
8. Spend Time Dreaming and Pondering
Don’t get caught up all summer filling up your schedule and staying too busy to focus. Spend some time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to just think, ponder, reflect, plan, and dream. That will help you get the most out of your summer break and enjoy the days without them speeding by too quickly. You can stay cool indoors and out with a portable CULER Solo Flash-Evaporative Air Cooler. It can quickly and effectively cool down your space by adding humidity to the air, which helps extract heat from the air as the water droplets evaporate.
9. Make a Fix-it List
Make a short list of 3-5 projects you’d like to cross off your to-do list this summer. They can be as big as a backyard makeover or as small as fixing that broken fixture that has bothered you for months. Post the list somewhere that you will see it daily to help you focus on your goal! Sugru is a really cool tool that can help you with some quick fixes. It’s a mouldable glue that hardens as silicone rubber – meaning you can make virtually any fix you need. Like add a silicone hook in the shower for your loofa or cover a power cable’s exposed wires – the options are endless.
10. Catch up on your Shows
Summer TV is always lacking, use it as an opportunity to catch up on your favorite series or to start a new show you’ve been wanting to watch. Summer is the perfect excuse to start up a new show or two for unwinding in the evening. You can store all your shows to have the available to watch wherever you go with Slingbox M2. Being able to watch your cable subscription shows wherever you go from your mobile device or stream the shows to a second TV with a streamer device will help you catch up throughout the summer.
11. Take Loads of Photos
Capture and save all those summer memories by taking lots and lots of pictures all summer long. If you are like me you take most of your pictures with your phone. The Ollo Clip gives me options with my trusty phone that is always in my pocket. The Ollo Clip 4-in-1 Lens for iPhone 6/6s & iPhone 6/6s Plus gives you the most versatile mobile lens experience in a compact, easy-to-use design. With four lenses to choose from, (Fisheye, Wide-Angle, Macro 10x & 15x) you can catch all your summer memories with the lens you like most because after all, the best camera is the one you have with you.
12. Finally Find Time for You
With all the extra time you’ll have now instead of carpool and homework help, you can spend it exercising, gaming or jammin’ to your favorite tunes. The V-Moda Crossfade Wireless Headphones are sure to produce the best sounds you’ll hear all summer. With their ultimate military-level durability and up to 12 hours of wireless music, they will be able to travel with you. Wherever your summer adventures take you, turn up the tunes with V-Moda’s Crossfade Wireless Headphones.
13. Create a Backyard Oasis
We all love lush green lawns and beautiful blooming flowers. Take time this summer to make your green oasis a reality. Whether you’re into gardening or just want to water your grass, the Pocket Hose is a convenient way to get water to your plants. The small, lightweight hose, shrinks to easily store when not in use. This smart king and tangle resistant Pocket Hose can reach up to 75 feet and comes with a spray nozzle, taking care of your yard will be a breeze!
14. Spend lots of Time Outdoors
Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by spending as much time outdoors as you can! Even if that just means the kids playing in the backyard while mom works from a laptop. Reduce the annoying itches of summer by wearing a personal repellent and don’t forget the important step of also protecting the backyard. Terminix AllClear Mosquito Bait & Kill. It’s a totally new non-toxic approach to tackling mosquitoes in the backyard. Just spray Bait & Kill on non-flowering plants. Mosquitoes can’t help but eat the natural plant-sugar bait that is infused with a lethal dose of garlic oil – that is completely safe for people, pets and the environment. Start using it early in the season and watch as 90 percent of the mosquito population is reduced over the next 2-3 weeks. You only have to apply Bait & Kill once every 3-4 weeks or after heavy rains to sustain results.
I would like to read as many books as possible.
Paint my kitchen
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is going to this huge fair that is about an hour away
I want to try zip lining.
My summer bucket list includes moving into the condo that I am buying.
Hoping to fit in a deep sea fishing trip with old friends while on a family trip to San Diego this summer !
i really want to go camping so thats #1 on my list.
My #1 summer bucket list item is to take a couple days in the Chicago museum area (that depends a lot on whether or not the state of Illinois can get their act together and pass some semblance of a budget for higher education though)
take my kids on a cruise
I’d love to go to the beach.
working in my garden
I want to have a decent garden. My poor tomatoes are already waterlogged from all the rain and gray weather, I would just love to be able to putter around a healthy garden.
My #1 summer bucket list is to learn how to dive.
My #1 thing on my bucket list is to travel out of the country. Not sure where but saving up enough money to leave.
To conquer the Thousand Steps hike in our area. So many more items to complete but this is at the top of the list.
My summer bucket list includes a trip to Key West.
I would like to take a hike at a local waterfall. Thank you for the chance.
My #1 thing on my bucket list for summer is family camp out at the beach.
My #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to take my children to the ocean for a vacation.
We are hoping to take a vacation
Going to the Omaha Zoo with the family.
getting my yard in shape
The number 1 thing on my summer bucket list is to see my family we have had a few losses lateley and I really miss my family can’t wait to see them!
My #1 was to get chickens and I’ve done that. My #2 on the list is to go to the Outer Banks or Eastern Shore.
Taking my boys to the Alamo is #1.
vegas vacation! and national parks
The first thing on my summer bucket list is to open our pool.
To visit Texas so I can finally meet a friend in person that I have known for 10 years but only get to see or talk to over the internet.
My bucket list for the summer includes a weekend at the beach with my family.
I want sand in my bucket, so going to the beach to fill it up is number 1 on my list.
My bucket list this summer is to travel to Hawaii
#1 on bucket list is to teach me son how to swim!
#1 on my bucket list for this summer is our trip to Wrigley Field.
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is taking my family camping.
to go to Napa!
My number one thing is to take the family to the beach! Great Giveaway! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
unfortunately my summer to do will be to get out of my surgical boot
My number one thing is to decorate my patio.
It’s not fun but we recently moved and I need to unpack!
I want to go camping and take day trips to the river as much as possible this summer!
Going to Walt Disney World this summer
The #1 thing is taking my kids to a family party in Florida next weekend. It will be the first time my mother-in-law has had all her grandchildren together in 15 years!
The number one thing on my summer bucket list is a weekend at the lake. I work so much it’s hard to get a whole weekend free.
We are hoping to take a vacation to California!
Going to New Orleans!!
On my summer bucket list is to go to Six Flags
this summer i plan on getting some time to myself for reading and sleeping.
Skinnydipping!
The only thing on my bucket list for summer is to do whatever I want throughout the season!
My #1 thing is to get my garden in order but I dread the mosquitoes! This will come in handy! Thank you for the giveaway!
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to beautify my yard and work in my garden. 🙂
#1 thing is to be the batman
The number one thing on my summer bucket list is to bike the entirety of the bike trail that runs through my city. It’s over 30 miles, but I’ve been training hard and I know I can do it soon.
To bring my kids to the Boundary Waters.
I really want to take my daughter to the zoo.
The number one thing on my bucket list is to go to the grand canyon.
Right no it’s to hike up to Machu Picchu. Subject to change.
I’d like to take my kids on some kind of vacation this summer. We’d love to go to the beach.
get out of debt
Travel!
#1 thing on my summer bucket list is camping by the lake! Relaxing, making a campfire, no electronics, a good book- can’t wait!
buyin’ a new bucket I guess!
Go camping with my wife and dog!
Disney World!
I would like to get my garden ready.
Go camping and do some fishing
Spending more time outdoors with my family.
Not getting destroyed by mosquitos this year
My number one thing to do is to paint and caulk all of the windows before winter. This is not a typical bucket list item, and is more of a chore, but that will save me money on heating costs, so it is my top priority.
To get the house ready for the new baby
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to take the kids on a trip to DC.
My #1 thing on my bucket list this summer is to take my son to pools and splashpads a lot!
I want to go to Hershey park this summer
My number 1 things is a 10 day backpacking trip in the mountains of Idaho.
We are working on saving money this year. We decided about May that we needed to stop spending so much and really start saving.
The Number one thing on our summer bucket list is to go to the beach.
I want to go to the county fair!
I’d like to go to an amusement park.
The number 1 thing on my list is to go to our favorite amusement park!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Hang out by the pool – we take it easy in the summer
We have to get to the beach!
The Number one thing on our summer bucket list is to go to the fair in the town that my husband was raised in. Last year we went for the first time and had a blast!
Our summer bucket list includes hiking at the state park.
Bucket list is to take a drive out to Lancaster PA for a weekend
Our list includes lots of relaxing.
My summer bucket list is to get the kids to the beach at least once.
To do a 100 mile bicycle ride in 1 day.
Getting my back yard into shape.
Camping at the beach is on my list.
I would like to spend more time with my mother
My priority is to deep clean the house once the kids are out for the summer.
A road trip with my family.
#1 is visiting grandchildren 900 miles away in 14 days!!
Camping is relaxing
Have my granddaughters visit!
On my summer bucket list I plan to get in better shape my biking with my husband.
Priority is to organize the house!
To have a safe delivery of our newest addition and have some great family bonding time! 🙂
road trip
My summer goal is to give birth to our first baby in July!
The Number 1 thing on my bucket list this summer is to finish writing a book and get it ready for publishing.
#1 thing would be to check out more trails.
My number one is camping with the family.
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to take a trip, anywhere. Thanks for the giveaway!
The number one thing on my bucket list for the summer is to get my office organized and get my filing system in order.
To take a peaceful bike ride along the delaware tow path.
One thing on our bucket list this summer is to take a day trip up to the North Shore!
I dont have a bucket list. I plan on spending more time with my nieces this summer.Im hoping to go to Six Flags Animal Kingdom. Thank you for the great giveaway 🙂
Remodeling my kitchen is at the top of the list
Going to visit my inlaws, they were both diagnosed with cancer a few months ago so we just want to spend time with family
This summer, I want to catch up on my Netflix dramas – House of Cards and Bloodline.
The #1 thing on my bucket list this summer is my daughter’s wedding.
Family gathering
Nothing at the moment
Hitting the beach is on our summer bucket list.
I want to plant a vegetable garden.
It’s NO “fun” but it will make me feel better; therefore, my number one bucket list for the summer is to get my house clean and organized.
My #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to attend local festivals/craft shows.
I want to take my kids on a couple of day trips in our state. We plan on going to the prison where Shawshank Redemption was filmed and head down to Amish Country for an overnight stay in a bed and breakfast.
The #1 thing on your summer bucket list is to get out and visit my dad
Honestly, the #1 thing on my summer bucket list is getting through treatment for a major illness and still finding time to help my kids have a memorable summer.
to go to the beach this summer.
I recently spent time with relatives I hadn’t seen in 20 years and wish to spend more time with them this summer. Hopefully July 4th firworks
#1 thing on my summer bucket list is go to cedar point and ride the tallest roller coaster which is going to happen next week! Yippee!!
I want to get my house ready for guests, which means getting rid of clutter and getting the house painted.
My number one thing this summer is to make a fix it list! We just moved and have so many things that need to be done! Tackling one thing at time.
My top thing right now it so leave the country for a week.
I want to go to the county fair
Go to the beach!
My #1 bucketlist item is to ride on a duckboat.
#1 item on my bucket list completed-our grandson will be staying with us for awhile this summer!
My number 1 thing on my list for summer is a trip to San Francisco, but that will probably be early fall.
Going to the beach in Florida
To take our kids camping for the first time
I want to go to the beach this summer.
I want to take my kids to a beach somewhere this Summer
My summer bucket list involves a road trip to Nashville!
To go camping, we used to go all the time, but it has been almost three years since we went camping.
I found myself nodding my head and wanting to do so many of your suggestions. You def. have to get rid of the bugs though with Terminix to get started.
Head to the beach with my family.
Create a water garden
My number one bucket list item is a road trip to the beach with friends.
go to Hannibal
My number one thing to do this summer is take a trip into the west desert of Utah and dig for fossils.
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to visit a friend of mine but I am just not sure I will be able to do it.
Planning an amazing Sweet 16 party for my daughter. I want her to have the best birthday possible so it’s taking up a lot of my thoughts so far. Thank you!
Hope to stay for a week at Myrtle Beach.
The number one thing on my summer bucket list is vacationing at the beach with my family.
This summer I want to take my son to the beach for the first time
I’m really hoping to take the kids on a Disney cruise this summer.
One of my things is to go water skiing, I haven’t don’t it in years.
To go camping with the grand kids at least once.
THe # thing on my bucket list this summer is to spend some time at the beach!
#1 on my summer bucket list – learn how to make sauerkraut!
thank you
Going on a CRUISE!
Garage sale!!!! We are doing a massive clean out and decluttering of our house this summer.
The number one thing on my summer bucket list is a relaxing family vacation
learning to surf
To finish reading a few more books on the porch.
My number one thing is to floatplane in Alaska!
I want to take my girls to six flags.
#1 for us is to go fishing.
To try and get more fishing in…
My must do this summer is a road trip to Niagara Falls.
The number one thing on my bucket list is to enjoy the time with my kids before school starts again.
Build a Sand Castle
Our number one item is to take our grandsons camping.
All your ideas for quality time with kids wound great. That camping adventure looks particularly fun!
The #1 thing on my bucket list this summer is going out to Colorado Springs to visit my brother.
My number one thing is planning and attending a successful Family Reunion this summer. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone.
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to go to Lake Michigan!
My #1 thing on my bucket list this summer is to go to meet/visit my new niece down south!
going to carowinds
A beach vacation and just enjoying time with my kids! 🙂
I would love to go to the beach.
To get the inside of the house painted.
My husband and are 60, so we have started our bucket list. We will be heading to mountains for a few days.
Family camping trip is the #1 thing on my summer bucket list!
On my bucket list is to get my two grandsons and bring them to stay with me for a week and take them to the lake.
I would love to go to a water park!
My number one is to go scuba diving
I want to get away for a week or so with the kids, hopefully to visit my Mom or just to relax by the beach somewhere.
You’ve got some terrific ideas for me and the hubster! We love going to the Farmers Market on Fridays, and I’ve been hoping to find more to visit. We’re in a new house, and I totally want to be able to start barbecuing in the backyard this summer! I’ll have to share this idea list with my honey!
The #1 is to go to the beach
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is for my husband and I to take our three boys up to the mountains at night to lay under the stars away from the lights of the city. Our oldest is really into astronomy right now and I think he would be blown away.
I am working on my backyard oasis this summer. I did some remolding of the yard last summer. This year it is time to decorate and enjoy.
On my bucket list is a road trip from VA to CO to see my mom! Thanks for the fun post!
Those are really great ideas. My family is waiting for it to finally stop raining so that we can have a BBQ outside.
Lots of great ideas that are perfect for summer. I need that tent- ours is not the best and we have a trip with scouts planned already.
What a great list! I am definitely going to try to do all of these this summer!
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to take the kids to the beach.
My parents would LOVE to create a backyard oasis. I know they’ve been working on their garden on and off for years, but if I could, I would give them more time to work on it so that they can finally get it to what they REALLY want it to look like.
This is a great list of bucket ideas for the summer. I can’t believe this school year is almost over already, my kid’s are excited for summer vacation already!
This is a wonderful list. I have been wanting to take my girls camping too. I think that would be a great experience for them. They have never been camping before.
We are taking our family to the beach this summer. It will be Liam’s first vacation, hope he likes it. We also want to spend lots of time outdoors with the dogs!
I’m loving the idea of a summer bucket list! I have a life bucket list and even a travel list that will take a lifetime to complete. A summer bucket list is so practical and easy to accomplish. Thanks so much for the idea.
The number one think on my bucket list this summer is to visit colleges with my teens.
There are so many cool products here to make summer a blast! That air cooler is really peaking my interest.
These are all great ideas! I try and do something fun with the kids each and every day.
On my bucket list this year is to take a trip to see the mansions in Rhode Island. My husband and I have a trip planned there for later in the summer so hopefully I can get this item crossed off my list.
The #1 thing on my summer bucket list is to go snorkeling while on vacation!
The number one thing on my bucket list is to run a marathon later this summer! I cannot wait to finish another one!
My number one thing for this summer is some R&R and then some fun with my daughter and her friends!! Great post, thank you!!
We need to go camping.
I want to go whale watching.
Taking a trip to King’s Island in Ohio! Lots of fun and reides and La Rosa’s great Pizza.
I love the idea of going camping! It gets us out of the heat of where we live and also unplug (which is not always easy to do).
One thing on my summer bucket list is to go on vacation, hopefully just a weekend to San Diego.
We are beach bound!
The number one thing is to introduce my baby girl to the pool.
One thing on my summer bucket list is a trip to Las Vegas.
Number one on my buck list this summer, spend more time on the river, tubing and kayaking. 🙂
Our bucket list includes a trip to the water park this summer.
More Hiking
Wow, what a wonderful list. I love taking a ton of photos each Summer so that we have memories forever. Thanks so much for sharing and for the giveaway
We’re going to spend a lot of time at the farmer’s market and catch up on shows on Netflix and Hulu!
The only thing on our bucket list is the beach. Thankfully we live right up the street from one 🙂
The number one thing on my bucket list is to go skydiving! We have a CULER in our home and it is on almost all day- I love it!
What is on my Summer bucket list is to go to my sister’s Big Wedding in July in California. It is going to be a lot of fun!
Go camping this year.
The number 1 thing on my summer bucket list is to take a vacation!