36 Things to Do This Summer | The Ultimate Young Adult Summer Bucket List

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.

This is the ultimate young adult summer bucket list!

As we’ve gotten older and now being in our late-twenties, we still feel the nostalgic and free feeling summer always brings. Thinking back to days spent at the pool, spontaneous ice cream runs and making the most of every moment we had. It’s truly the best feeling, and this year, we’re on a mission to channel that child-like feeling to embrace all that summer brings.

With that being said, we created the ultimate summer bucket list for young adults — full of fun outdoor activities, summer crafts, self-care ideas and more. These ideas are perfect for an open afternoon after work, a long weekend off or to squeeze into the longer, sunlit days. Cheers to summer and all that it will bring!

The Ultimate Young Adult Summer Bucket List

Summer Outdoor Activities 

1. Picnic in the Park

You can never go wrong with picnic in the park on a beautiful summer day. Pack a basket full of sandwiches, chips, crackers, fruit and any other food items you prefer. Don’t forget a large comfortable blanket or too to relax and enjoy the afternoon or evening.

Check out these fun summer picnic ideas to make the most of a summer afternoon.

2. Attend an Outdoor Movie Night

Check your city’s upcoming events. Many times, bigger cities will put on outdoor movie nights for people to enjoy, so check your city parks event pages and see what movies might eb showing different nights this summer. 

If your city doesn’t plan these types of events, you could even host an outdoor movie night in your backyard.

3. Local Concert in the Park

Much like outdoor movie nights, parks will organize local bands to come and play. We grew up going to summer concert series at local parks with our parents. It was always so much fun!

4. Bike the City

Whether it’s via a bike rental or your own bike, getting out and taking a ride around town is a refreshing way to enjoy the city you live in.

5. Farmers Market Morning

Saturday morning farmers markets are a must in the summer. We love shopping for fresh product, flowers and small businesses in our town. It’s such a fun and happy way to get out into your community.

6. Kayak or Paddle Board Rental

If you like adventure and water activities in the summer then seek out any local kayak or paddle board rentals in your area. Plus, this is something you could do with a few friends or as a solo activity on a hot summer day.

7. Get a Public Recreation Pool Pass

One of our favorite things to do in the summer is get a pool pass at our parks and recreation centers. There’s may be some nice pool facilities to choose from in your area — whether it’s an indoor or outdoor pool. If so, it’s a great way to soak up the sun and cool down from the summer heat.

8. Plan a Lake Day with Friends

Summers are just better when you plan lake days with friends. Pack some of your favorite snacks and cold drinks and hit the water!

9. Outdoor Yoga or Fitness Class

Try a new outdoor fitness class this summer! Whether it’s at sunrise or sunset, going for a later time means cooler temps and starting or ending the day doing something for yourself.

10. Plan a Mini Weekend Getaway to Somewhere New

If you’re craving a vacation, but not able to go anywhere to far off for too long, panning a mini weekend getaway is the next best thing. Go somewhere you’ve never been — maybe a staycation in a new hotel, a cabin camping trip a couple hours away or 

11. Host a Backyard or Balcony Dinner Party

Hosting in the summer is so much fun. Whether it’s a barbecue or a weekend brunch, take the opportunity to open up your backyard or balcony for good food and great times with friends.

Cute Summer Crafts & Activities

12. Make Homemade Ice Cream

Whether you make homemade ice cream in an ice cream machine or in our Ninja Creami, you can’t go wrong. There’s so many delicious flavors to make and it’s such a fun activity to do with roommates, friends and family.

READ NEXT: 23 Best Ninja Creami Recipes to Make When You’re Craving a Sweet Treat

13. Tie-Dye a Matching Set

Thinking back to summers growing up, we were always tie-dying something. It’s such a fun and creative craft that you don’t get to do often, but it’s perfect for summer. Tie-dye everything from t-shirts, socks, sweatshirts and more!

14. Make Your Own Beaded Jewelry

Once you start making beaded jewelry, you may never stop. There’s so many cute beads and charms to choose from at your local craft store or on Amazon. Plus, you can make anything from necklaces to bracelets.

15. Paint Pottery at a Local Studio

One of our favorite things to do is paint pottery at a local studio. It’s a fun activity to do with friends one evening or to escape the hot summer heat on the weekend.

16. Create a Summer Vision Board

Making a vision board for the different seasons is something we have started doing, and can attest that it makes us mentally refreshed and motivated to try new things and be inspired by the season.

You can make a digital moldboard on Canva, or make a physical moldboard with cut clippings from magazines.

17. Make Your Own Summer Mix Tape

If you thought mix tapes were the thing of the past, we’re here to bring them back. How fun would it be to make a mix tape of your favorite songs of summer to share with your friends?

18. Scrapbook Your Summer

Grab an empty scrapbook from your local craft store, some fun paper and stickers and start scrapping! As the summer goes along, add photo pages to document all fun things you did this summer.

19. Plant Your Own Herb and Vegetable Garden

Once you have your own herb and vegetable garden, you’ll understand the obsession. From tomatoes, to basil, and fresh greens — there’s nothing more delicious and rewarding than eating the vegetables that grow in your backyard (or patio).

20. Participate in a Summer Reading List at Your Local Library

To be honest, we love libraries, but we don’t go often enough. Participating in the summer reading list, is a great way to motivate us to get out in our community and stay accountable at reading this season.

21. Make Natural Body Scrub or Lip Balms

Reminiscing to when we used to make our own body scrubs and lip balms growing up, we’re motivated to try it again. After all, summer is the season for exfoliating and moisturizing — it’s time to glow up!

22. Make Your Own Beaded Phone Charm

Much like making your own jewelry, you can also make beaded phone charms. Phone charms are super trendy right now and are so easy to make. All you need is some stretchy wire, beads and some cute charms.

23. Photograph Summer on Disposable Cameras

Maybe it’s just our imagination, but we feel like we document so many more photos when we have a physical camera around. Disposable cameras are such a great option for summer, because you can easily throw them in a purse or pool bag when you’re on the go. Plus, getting them developed is always so fun to see how they turned out.

24. Take a Dance Class

Summer is the perfect opportunity to take that dance class you’ve always wanted to take — from beginner ballet class to hip hop. Take the leap and do it!

25. Make a Summer Mocktail

There’s nothing like am ice cold mocktail to end a long, hot summer day. They are perfect for summer parties or to make as a fun drink with dinner. Here are some refreshing mocktail recipes that are trending on Tiktok.

26. Start a Side Passion Project

Is there something you’ve been wanting to do for a while? Whether it’s starting a creative social media account or a passion you’ve been wanting pursue — summer is the perfect time to explore, create and make the most of your passions.

Summer Self-Care Ideas

27. Have a Solo Date Night

Need to carve out some “me time” for yourself? Go on a solo date. Whether it’s going to your favorite spot for dinner or going to see a show alone, these solo date ideas will get you out of your comfort zone, build confidence and open you up to new experiences.

In this article we share 14 fun solo date ideas to add to your schedule.

28. Switch Up Your Summer Skincare Routine

When summer hits, we notice that our skin changes a bit. Being out in the sun more, we love adding a vitamin C serum (this is the one we love) to the mix and applying moisturizing sheet masks to the routine as well.

29. Create a Summer Morning Routine

Whether it’s something as small as waking up a bit earlier to go for an early morning swim, walking to your local cafe for a pastry or making a new seasonal syrup for your homemade coffee, small tweaks to your morning routine can make all the difference.

30. Buy Fresh Flowers Weekly

Flowers are in full bloom this time of year, and your local Trader Joes, famers market or grocery store will have a constant range of beautiful florals to choose from. They make a kitchen counter, bedroom dresser and living room coffee table so much more happy.

31. Paint Your Nails Fun, Bright Colors

Summer is the official season of bright pinks, blues, oranges and all other stunning colors. We love how they make our tan pop, while adding some personality to our everyday life too.

32. Start a Summer Journal or Writing Prompts

There’s something about summer that makes us want to reflect on our everyday life. Maybe it’s all the time we have to spend in the daylight, but it’s such a therapeutic way to wind down after a busy day too.

33. Try a New Hairstyle

While we get the urge to shop our hair in the summer, trying a new hair style doesn’t have to be that extreme. Experiment with new styles like the viral Tiktok sock curls, or a crimped beach wave.

34. Unplug for the Weekend

To be honest, there is truly nothing more refreshing than unplugging from social media, you phone and other electronics for a while. A summer weekend is a great time to do it. You’ll be so surprised at how rejuvenated and renewed you’ll feel after not reaching for your phone or doom scrolling.

35. Read Instead of Watch TV

This is your sign to pick up a book instead of binge watching another show. This summer we’re looking to Reese Witherspoons book list to find fun and interesting reads.

36. Host a Mini Spa Night at Home

Gather all your girls and host a mini spa night at home. Turn on some relaxing music, apply face masks and chill with your besties. It’s going to be so much fun!