400+ Fun, Unique & Summer Ideas

When I was young, I dreamed of living in an artsy European city, working as a writer, and sipping coffee on a rustic balcony in the sun (yes, I watched a lot of indie movies).

Sounds way too simple, but writing down your goals and dreams helps you visualize where you want to be in the future. (And spoiler—I got exactly what I wanted.) 

Living a million miles away isn’t for everyone—but if you want a change or just some excitement, creating a bucket list is a solid first step (take it from me). 

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got a bucket load of inspiration and ideas to keep you busy. 

400+ Ultimate Bucket List Ideas 

A bucket list is essentially a collection of goals, achievements, and experiences that you want to do during your lifetime.

YouGov says these are some of the most common bucket list ideas—

1. Get healthier/lose weight (47%)
2. Travel to an exotic location (35%) 
3. Achieve a wealth goal (29%) 
4. See a natural wonder (28%) 
5. Own a home (27%)
6. Change someone’s life for the better (27%)
7. Get married (22%) 
8. Learn a new language (19%) 
9. Have children (17%) 
10. Start a business (15%) 

Sounds promising, but research shows 56% of Americans struggle to complete their bucket list. 

People have claimed finances (57%) are their biggest obstacle, followed by lack of time (14%) and family responsibilities (11%). 

But you don’t need to travel across the world and parachute off Mount Everest to mark things off your bucket list—we’ve also included plenty of fast, frugal, and family-friendly ideas to help you achieve your goals (no more excuses!).

Why Are Bucket Lists Important? 

Bucket lists give you a chance to fulfill your dreams, reach your goals, and make the most out of life. You don’t just get a ton of satisfaction after checking off items—it can also give you a confidence boost and a sense of purpose. 

World traveler Jonelle Elizabeth told us about her father, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2017—causing her to cancel her trek to the Mount Everest Base Camp and become a caregiver. 

After he sadly lost his battle with the disease, Jonelle realized that life is short—and made it her mission to travel to all seven continents in one year. 

Jonelle quit her job, re-booked her Nepal trip, and achieved her goal of traveling the world.

Here are some insights she shared about what she’s learned:

1. “Don’t wait for the perfect time. There will never be a perfect moment and you never know what tomorrow might hold. 
2. The kindness of strangers will reignite your faith in humanity. 
3. You don’t need to be a millionaire to travel—today there are plenty of budget-friendly options like hostels and house-sitting. 
4. Eat the food. All the food. Food is the best way to learn about a culture and connect with people.
5. Don’t let the fear hold you back. We can think of a million reasons why things will go wrong. They are lies. Take the leap outside your comfort zone—you won’t regret it.”

With those words in mind, let’s dive into our best bucket list ideas—

Summer Bucket List Ideas

Whether you need to keep your kids entertained all summer or you’re finally going to really enjoy your time off work—having a summer bucket list is a great way to make the most out of the warmer weather.

Here are our top summer bucket list ideas to have some fun in the sun—

1. Go on a picnic.
2. Spend the day at the beach. 
3. Take a mini road trip.
4. Go to an outdoor cinema.
5. Go camping.
6. Float down a lazy river. 
7. Go to a water park. 
8. Create a summer cocktail. 
9. Host a BBQ. 
10. Attend a music festival.
11. Go to a farmer’s market. 
12. Hire a yacht for the day. 
13. Pick strawberries. 
14. Go on a summer vacation.
15. Build a sandcastle. 
16. Make your own backyard water slide. 
17. Swim in a lake. 
18. Explore a national park.
19. Go stargazing. 
20. Hike a new trail. 
21. Go to a state fair or carnival. 
22. Run through sprinklers.
23. Catch fireflies. 
24. Go fishing.
25. Pick your own fruits and make a pie.

Fall Bucket List Ideas

Pumpkin pies, colorful trees, and apple picking—you know the drill. Fall activities sound great on paper and look aesthetically pleasing on Instagram, but are they worth the hype? 

Find out for yourself with our fall bucket list ideas—

1. Pick apples.
2. Collect fallen leaves and create something fun.
3. Pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch.
4. Roast pumpkin seeds. 
5. Run through a pile of leaves.
6. Organize an autumn picnic.
7. Collect fall leaves for crafts. 
8. Learn how to make candles. 
9. Bake an apple pie.
10. Take a road trip to see the fall leaves. 
11. Go on a hayride. 
12. Make a fall candle.
13. Visit a corn maze.
14. Eat caramel apples. 
15. Attend a Fall Festival.
16. Make a Fall wreath.
17. Learn how to knit a scarf. 
18. Bake an apple pie.
19. Make a pumpkin spice latte. 
20. Paint acorns.

Winter Bucket List Ideas

Winter is here, weather you like it or not. Instead of waiting around for Christmas to brighten up the darker days, why not take advantage of all the activities that are perfect for the Winter months? 

Check out our top winter bucket list suggestions—

1. Build a snowman.
2. Go ice skating. 
3. Have a snowball fight.
4. Have a cozy pajama day. 
5. Become an expert hot chocolate maker.
6. Go sledding.
7. Have a duvet day. 
8. Take a ski trip.
9. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway. 
10. Go ice fishing. 
11. Host a board game night.
12. See the Nutcracker ballet. 
13. Volunteer at a food kitchen. 
14. Make your own snow globes.
15. Go on a winter retreat.
16. Make a snow angel. 
17. Take a winter nature walk.
18. Make snow cones. 

Christmas Bucket List Ideas

You wait all year for Christmas, only to be sucked into dinner planning, last-minute gift shopping, and trying to avoid any awkward questions from your older relatives.

But Christmas is a time to be merry, so take a look at our Christmas bucket list ideas and get ready to sleigh the festive season—

1. Build a gingerbread house. 
2. Mail a letter to Santa. 
3. Go to the Christmas markets. 
4. Make handmade Christmas cards.
5. Host a Christmas party. 
6. Chop down your own Christmas tree. 
7. Make paper angels.
8. Wear a Christmas sweater. 
9. Sing Christmas carols. 
10. Go to a Christmas festival. 
11. Kiss under the mistletoe.
12. Decorate a Christmas tree.
13. Drink mulled wine.
14. Make a homemade gift. 
15. Organize a Secret Santa. 
16. Go watch a Nativity play. 

New Year’s Bucket List Ideas

The New Year is about seeing friends and family, partying the night away, and making resolutions you’ll stick to for about a week. 

Saying goodbye to a whole year calls for a celebration—so whether you’re at home in your pajamas or in Times Square, enjoy our bucket list ideas to ring in the new year—

1. See the ball drop.
2. Host a New Year’s party. 
3. Watch the fireworks. 
4. Go to a rooftop party. 
5. Have a midnight kiss. 
6. Make New Year’s resolutions. 
7. Pop a bottle of champagne. 
8. Wear a silly hat.
9. Dress up in a fancy outfit. 
10. Write your name with a sparkler.
11. Make a toast.
12. Party all night long. 

Halloween Bucket List Ideas

Gone are the days of your mom dressing you in a bin bag decorated with tin foil stars for Halloween. Now you’re free to experience the spooky season your own way.

Creep it real and take a peek at our Halloween bucket list ideas—

1. Win the best costume competition.
2. Try pumpkin carving.
3. Decorate your home.
4. Have a horror movie marathon. 
5. Visit a haunted house.
6. Go trick-or-treating.
7. Dress up your pet in a spooky costume. 
8. Go to a Halloween party. 
9. Get a psychic reading.
10. Create a Halloween playlist. 

Birthday Bucket List Ideas

It’s your birthday and yes, you can cry if you want to. But we have some better ideas. 

Here are some fun birthday bucket list ideas that’ll make your birthday one to remember (for the right reasons)—

1. Go wine tasting at a vineyard.
2. Ride in a limo.
3. Go to a karaoke bar. 
4. Make your own birthday cake.
5. Book a luxury restaurant. 
6. Relax at the spa. 
7. Host a games night.
8. Send flowers to yourself. 
9. Attempt an escape room. 
10. Travel somewhere new. 
11. Buy yourself something special.
12. Do a birthday photoshoot.
13. Write a letter to your future self.
14. Plan a murder mystery party.

Bucket List Ideas For Couples

Whether you’re looking to spice up your relationship, or you really want to impress your date—we have you covered. 

Check out our bucket list for couples and we guarantee you’ll get that second date—

1. Say, “I love you” and hear it back.
2. Write a love letter.
3. Go on a double date.
4. Visit each other’s hometowns.
5. Plan a surprise trip for each other.
6. Ride horses on the beach.
7. Take a hot-air balloon ride.
8. Carve your initials into a tree.
9. Do a tandem bike ride.
10. Stay the night in a treehouse. 
11. Eat at a Michelin-star restaurant.
12. Join the mile-high club.
13. Go to a gala or ball.
14. Do couples yoga.
15. Take your partner on their dream vacation.
16. Dress up in a couple’s costume for Halloween.
17. Buy your partner something special they’ve wanted for a long time.
18. Get a couples massage.
19. Book a dine-in-the-dark dinner.
20. Get married.
21. Build your dream home.

Bucket List Ideas For Best Friends

Best friends are the people you can be yourself around, tell all your deepest secrets to, and laugh at when they accidentally dye their hair green.

So, let your hair down, embrace your weird side, and start ticking off our bucket list ideas for best friends—

1. Shop on Rodeo Drive.
2. See a Broadway musical.
3. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
4. Take a friend-cation.
5. Volunteer at the local animal shelter. 
6. Take up a new hobby together.
7. Make friendship bracelets. 
8. Go for brunch. 
9. Go on a shopping spree.
10. See your favorite band together.
11. Party in Las Vegas.
12. Take a cooking class. 
13. Start a fitness challenge together. 
14. Make your own scent.
15. Have a pamper night.

Bucket List Ideas For Teens

Some say their teenage years are the best time of their lives—no work, no bills to pay, and no backache from standing up longer than 30 minutes.

It’s time to embrace this freedom (while you still have it) and take a look at our best bucket list ideas for teens—

1. Learn to play chess.
2. Learn how to skateboard.
3. Make a video that goes viral.
4. Volunteer at a charity. 
5. Learn how to play an instrument.
6. Make your own jewelry.
7. Have a movie marathon. 
8. Build a robot.
9. Pull an all-nighter.
10. Make tie-dye shirts.
11. Create your own comic.
12. Take up origami.
13. Play paintball with friends. 
14. Go to a rock concert.

Bucket List Ideas For Kids

Kids are like mini-adults who’ve partied too hard—they have lots of energy, tend to get distracted easily, and will leave you wondering where all your money went. 

Luckily, we have plenty of bucket list ideas for kids that will keep them entertained without blowing the bank—

1. Paint and frame a painting.
2. Set up a lemonade stand. 
3. Go to Lego Land.
4. Fly a kite.
5. Make a family tree. 
6. Build a blanket fort. 
7. Visit the local animal farm zoo.
8. Do a science experiment. 
9. Bake cupcakes. 
10. Go on a scavenger hunt. 
11. Have a tea party. 
12. Spend the night at grandma’s house.
13. Jump in a pile of leaves.
14. Plant a tree.
15. Build a fairy garden.
16. Go to Disney World. 
17. Send a message in a bottle. 

Family Bucket List Ideas

Time with family is precious—one minute your kid is in diapers, and the next they’ve become diaper-changing experts themselves. 

At whatever age, there’s something for everyone on our list of family bucket list ideas—

1. Visit a butterfly sanctuary.
2. Play miniature golf.
3. Visit a castle.
4. Stay in a resort hotel.
5. Go green and reduce your carbon footprint.
6. Do a week-long digital detox.
7. Host a foreign exchange student.
8. Start a new tradition.
9. Create a family recipe book.
10. Go to an aquarium.
11. Create a time capsule.
12. Volunteer in the community.
13. Have a garage sale. 
14. Adopt a pet. 
15. Go paddle boarding. 
16. Have a no-rules day.
17. Play laser tag. 
18. Go to a chocolate museum.
19. Create a family quiz night. 
20. RV across the country.

Bucket List Ideas For Retirement

You’ve spent your entire life working and saving up for retirement—and you’re going to make sure you enjoy the fruits of your labor. After all, now is the time to do all the things you never got around to doing. 

Here are our retirement bucket list ideas to get you started—

1. Retire early.
2. Become a grandparent.
3. Go on a cruise.
4. See the Grand Canyon.
5. Mentor someone.
6. Revisit your honeymoon destination.
7. Renew your wedding vows.
8. Start a scholarship fund in your name.
9. Grow a vegetable garden.
10. Learn how to fly a plane.
11. Try out beekeeping. 
12. Attend a Wimbledon match.
13. Have a meal from every country in the world.
14. Go truffle hunting.
15. Start a book club. 
16. Get your portrait painted.
17. Fly first class.
18. Become an angel investor.
19. Tour Havana in a classic car.

Fun Bucket List Ideas

You don’t need a bank-breaking bucket list to have a good time. As the saying goes, the best things in life are free (or cheaper than a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon). 

Check out our fun bucket list ideas for inspiration—

1. Learn how to hula.
2. Go snorkeling.
3. Swim under a waterfall.
4. Learn archery.
5. Make a short film.
6. Finish a classic novel.
7. Be in a parade.
8. Ride a roller coaster.
9. Go parasailing.
10. See your favorite band in concert.
11. Go kayaking.
12. Learn the art of macrame. 
13. Teach a workshop. 
14. Knit a sweater.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Ride a bullet train.
17. Go on a blind date.
18. Take a belly dancing class.
19. Host a dinner party. 
20. Pay for a stranger’s groceries.
21. Brew your own beer.
22. Visit your favorite movie set.
23. Learn how to roll sushi.
24. Visit a cat cafe. 

Crazy Bucket List Ideas

The expression “you only live once” might be overused and cliche—but there’s some truth to it. 

Why not make your time on Earth a memorable one by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and checking off some of our crazy bucket list ideas—

1. Swim with sharks.
2. Join a bike rave.
3. Go skinny dipping at night.
4. Quit your job and do something you love for a year.
5. Dye your hair a crazy color.
6. Get a tattoo.
7. Get a new piercing.
8. Run with bulls.
9. Hold a tarantula. 
10. Go to the Burning Man festival.
11. Try out a zombie experience. 
12. Join a food-eating contest. 
13. Go cliff jumping.
14. Do a fire walk.
15. Go Mario kart racing in Tokyo.
16. Go on a survival course.

Unique Bucket List Ideas

You’ve seen trips to the Caribbean and photos of the Eiffel Tower all over social media. And there’s nothing wrong with that—but you want to do something different, something you’ve never seen or experienced before. 

Here are some unique bucket list ideas that will guarantee you stand out from the crowd—

1. See the monarch butterfly migration.
2. Attend the Olympics.
3. Visit an elephant sanctuary.
4. Set a Guinness world record.
5. See an episode of a TV show live.
6. Speak at a conference or event.
7. Write a book.
8. Become a philanthropist.
9. Become a millionaire.
10. Host a natural disaster refugee.
11. Go vegan for one month.
12. Visit a glow worm cave.
13. Dive in a submarine and see the Titanic.
14. Name a star.
15. Dig for dinosaur bones.
16. Be a New York Times Bestselling Author. 
17. Learn how to play the ukulele.
18. Dive for pearls.

Luxury Escapes Bucket List Ideas for Wanderlust Jetsetters

Backpacking through the jungle while trying to fight off mosquitos isn’t for everyone. 

If you’re prepared to splurge, or you’re itching to see the wonders of the world, here’s our luxury escapes bucket list for all you wanderlust jet setters— 

1. Go on a safari in Africa.
2. See penguins in their natural habitat.
3. See the northern lights.
4. Stay in an underwater hotel.
5. See the ancient Mayan ruins.
6. See the seven wonders of the world.
7. Walk the Great Wall of China.
8. See the pyramids in Egypt.
9. Travel to Hobbiton in New Zealand.
10. Visit Stonehenge.
11. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
12. Go inside the Sistine Chapel.
13. Stay in an ice hotel.
14. Swim in the Great Barrier Reef.
15. See all seven continents.

Travel Bucket List Ideas

Travel can broaden your mind, educate you about other cultures, and sometimes leave you with a bad case of food poisoning. 

Vacation time is what we look forward to all year round, so here are some travel bucket list ideas to make sure your time off goes swimmingly— 

1. Celebrate another country’s holiday.
2. Hike in a rainforest.
3. Attend a luau in Hawaii.
4. Sleep on a houseboat.
5. Visit all fifty US states.
6. Walk on a glacier.
7. Live in a foreign country.
8. Drive Route 66.
9. Visit all the national parks in the US.
10. Have a pizza slice in New York City.
11. See the lights of Las Vegas.
12. Visit the Alamo in Texas.
13. Hike the Pacific crest trail.
14. Float in the Dead Sea.
15. Hike the Appalachian Trail.
16. Take photos at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
17. Stand in Times Square.
18. Hike the Camino de Santiago.
19. Visit the White House.
20. Take in the view from the top of the Empire State Building.
21. See the Statue of Liberty.
22. Visit Mount Rushmore.
23. See Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
24. See the ice castles in Colorado.
25. Watch a Chinese Dragon Dance in the New Year.
26. Take a job in another country.

Cool Bucket List Ideas

Everyone enjoys a good story—whether it’s your uncle describing how he fought off a crocodile, or your grandmother who claims she went on a date with a famous movie star (who you’ve never heard of).

But it’s time to tell some stories of your own, and our cool bucket list ideas are a great way to get started—

1. Swim in a hot spring.
2. Go scuba diving.
3. Ride a motorcycle.
4. Attend a film premiere.
5. Learn morse code.
6. Write a screenplay.
7. Get a six-pack.
8. Become a black belt in karate.
9. Become fluent in a new language.
10. Learn how to code.
11. Watch a meteor shower. 
12. Be on TV.
13. Learn sign language.
14. Swim with the dolphins.
15. Witness a solar and lunar eclipse.
16. Eat a meal cooked by a celebrity chef.
17. Go to a wrestling match.
18. Get a tarot card reading.
19. Release baby turtles into the ocean.
20. Fly on a seaplane. 

Funny Bucket List Ideas

Laughter is the best medicine. It’s supposed to relieve stress and tension, ease pain, strengthen your immune system, and improve your mood. 

With that in mind, get in your daily intake of laughs with our funny bucket list ideas—

1. Ride a mechanical bull.
2. Go to a comedy show.
3. Pull a prank on April Fools’ Day.
4. Have a comedy movie marathon. 
5. Play Cards Against Humanity. 
6. Try laughter therapy.
7. Have a water balloon fight.
8. Play a game of Twister. 
9. Make a joke jar.
10. Go to a drag show.
11. Get a caricature of yourself. 
12. Host a charades party.
13. Take part in a flash mob.

Unusual Bucket List Ideas

If you’ve reached the point where knitting dog sweaters just doesn’t give you the same buzz as it used to—it’s time to try something new. 

And if it’s new and different you’re searching for, I guarantee that our list of unusual bucket list ideas will deliver—

1. Pan for gold.
2. Stroll along a glass beach.
3. Try acupuncture.
4. Become an expert axe thrower.
5. Try a sensory deprivation tank.
6. Feed a crocodile.
7. Learn to yodel.
8. Spend a night on a deserted island. 
9. Take up glass blowing. 
10. Sleep in a teepee or yurt.
11. Swim with jellyfish.
12. Be the model for a life drawing class.
13. Go to a masquerade ball.
14. Try chocolate-covered ants.

Adventure Bucket List Ideas

Maybe you’re an adrenaline junkie, or someone who’s looking to push themselves (or just someone who’s been roped into climbing a mountain even though you’ve never owned a pair of walking boots in your life). 

No matter what the reason, our adventure bucket list ideas will make you feel the adrenaline rush you’re looking for—

1. See an alligator in the wild.
2. Run a marathon.
3. Go sky diving.
4. Go bungee jumping.
5. Run with the bulls in Spain.
6. Go volcano boarding.
7. Try deep-sea scuba diving. 
8. See a tiger in the wild.
9. Go white water rafting.
10. Go zip lining.
11. Try hang gliding.
12. Learn how to snowboard.
13. Abseil down a tall building. 
14. Learn how to ski.
15. Go surfing on Bondi Beach.
16. Conquer a lifelong fear.
17. Climb a mountain. 
18. Go jet skiing.
19. Race a sports car.
20. Complete an Ironman Triathlon.
21. Go dog sledding.

Simple Bucket List Ideas

And finally—no, we haven’t forgotten about the simple pleasures of life. 

Here are some simple bucket list ideas to help you reach your goals or achieve important milestones—

1. Go to college.
2. Fall in love.
3. Find a job you’re passionate about.
4. Meditate every day.
5. Have a fulfilling career.
6. Pursue your dreams.
7. Have kids.
8. Buy a house.
9. Pay off the mortgage.
10. Send your kids to college.
11. Pay off all your debt. 
12. Retire.

How to Create The Ultimate Bucket List 

We’ve given you a ton of ideas (410 to be exact), so we don’t blame you for not knowing where to start. 

If you’re down for some spontaneity (and a good dose of bravery), you can write your favorites on small pieces of paper and pick them out of a bucket list jar or container. 

But what if you’d rather not leave it down to chance?

Here are ten questions you can ask yourself if you’re struggling to create your bucket list items:

1. If tomorrow was your last day, what would you regret not doing?
2. What are the biggest goals and dreams you want to achieve? 
3. If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on?
4. Where in the world have you always wanted to travel? 
5. What emotions do you want to experience? 
6. How can you push yourself out of your comfort zone?
7. What experience do you want to share with your loved ones?
8. Do you have any childhood dreams you would like to fulfill? 
9. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn? 
10. What stories do you want to leave behind? 

Once you’ve put together your bucket list, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to achieve your goals. 

Writing down your ideas helps to make them more concrete (plus you’ll get the satisfaction of checking them off as you go along). 

Sharing your bucket list ideas with friends and family can also help make your plans seem more real (there’s nothing like a spot of peer pressure to give you that extra nudge). 

How To Complete Your Bucket List Ideas 

You’ve decided which items you want to add to your bucket list. You might have even taken a quick look at flights on your lunch break.

But how do you find that extra push to get the ball rolling?

Travel blogger Tom, the founder of traveltomtom, gave us some top tips and words of encouragement to help you get started on your bucket list— 

• “Don’t postpone—just go for it. The more you postpone things, the more time it will give you to question and doubt your decisions. 
• There are always ways to do things on a budget—you just have to make some sacrifices in terms of comfort. 
• The harder you challenge yourself, the more you will learn—and eventually, you will start to see personal development.
• If something is impossible to achieve right now—don’t write it off. Just change the timeframe or period in which you want to reach this goal. 
• Adapting your plans means you can take pressure away from yourself and give yourself more time to achieve what you want from life.”

Key Takeaway 

“You only live once” might be a cliché, but it’s a fitting reminder to end our bucket list items. 

We’re only here for one lifetime—so let’s make it a good one by packing it with plenty of memorable moments and experiences. 

We often talk about what we want to accomplish, the places we want to go, and the things we want to do. Instead of shelving it for the next day, or the next year (or never), why not start now? 

And before we give you more humdrum phrases than bucket list ideas—remember that “there’s no time like the present”