Summer Adventures
Summer Adventures 2025: Build Your Family’s Bucket List
By Anisa Lewis
A few years ago, while juggling work, parenting, and everything in between, I stumbled across the idea of a Summer Bucket List. Traditionally, bucket lists were all about ticking off once-in-a-lifetime experiences before, let’s say it gently, you kick the bucket.
But this spin on the idea is all about living life while you live it, and finding joy in the everyday.
Enter: the Summer Adventure List.
This is a family-friendly way to capture memories, spark creativity, and avoid the “Muuum, I’m bored!” chorus. It’s as simple as gathering your family (yes, even the teens if you can tempt them with snacks), grabbing some pens, and brainstorming what you’d love to do this summer.
Stick the list up somewhere visible, and let it inspire you on slow days, spontaneous afternoons, or moments when you need a mood boost. You can even have a “Bored? Pick one!” section to hand the decision-making over to your kids.
Here’s a list to get you started, with ideas that work whether you're heading out or staying in, rain or shine:
Summer Adventure Ideas
🧺 Go on a picnic – or bring the picnic inside on a rainy day
🪐 Take a virtual dive or space trip via YouTube or a VR headset
💃 Host a living room dance party
🌊 Paddle in a stream or try wild swimming
🍳 Teach your child to cook a meal from scratch
🌱 Grow a plant (bonus points for herbs or veg you can eat later!)
🔧 Learn a new skill – sew on a button, touch-type, or change a lightbulb
📸 Make a summer photo journal
🎨 Visit a gallery, museum, or local art trail
🌌 Stargaze and spot constellations
🧁 Bake together and drop off extras for a neighbour
🎯 Do something outside your comfort zone
🎲 Play board games or invent your own!
🛶 Try a new sport or activity together (paddleboarding, climbing, yoga...)
🪣 Attempt a plastic-free or tech-free day
💌 Write and post a real letter to a friend or grandparent
🛏️ Have a PJ day and breakfast-for-dinner
🧖♀️ Create a home spa experience with DIY facials and foot soaks
🎬 Host a film night with popcorn and homemade tickets
🛖 Camp out – in the back garden, living room, or at a real campsite
🌻 Start a family gratitude jar or “summer joy wall”
🧭 Go geocaching or create a nature scavenger hunt
🚲 Explore a new part of your local area by bike or on foot
🧊 Make your own ice lollies
💦 Run through sprinklers or have a water fight
🌅 Go on a sunset walk
📚 Read a book aloud together or have a family audiobook series
🪁 Lie on the grass and watch the clouds drift by
🌍 Do three random acts of kindness
💻 Create a family blog or vlog of your summer memories
🎉 Plan weekly “Family Date Nights” and take turns choosing the activity
🍓 Go fruit picking
🕹️ Try a no-tech afternoon once a week, see where your imagination takes you
💥 Have a Nerf battle (outside or indoors – your choice!)
This list isn’t about doing everything, it’s about creating connection, inviting joy, and helping you savour the summer moments that really matter.
✨ Whether you tick off five or fifty, the memories you make will be worth it.
I'd love to know what makes it onto your Summer Adventure List, tag me @anisalewis.positiveparenting or drop me a message and share your ideas!
