The teen years have quickly become one of my favorite phases of parenting. Not only are they full of growth and excitement, but they also have become the years in which we’ve built the deepest family bonds.
As a mom, I’ve found that summer is the perfect season to foster these connections, especially among siblings. It’s a time to build relationships that will last far beyond their years at home. That being said, we have created an epic summer bucket list for teens! But of course, the ideas below are truly fun for the whole family.
Summer Bucket List for Teens
- Beach Day: Hit popular spots like Newport and Coronado beaches in California.
- Make S’mores: Bring on the nostalgia. Nothing screams summer more than a bonfire and toasty marshmallows.
- Catch a Ball Game: It is America’s pastime after all.
- Family Game Night: We have tested tons of different family games. Apple TV has been our new favorite place to find games – Sketch Party and QuipLash will get the whole family laughing.
- Summer Shopping Spree: Head to the fancy mall, grab pretzels, and stroll through your favorite shops. Ella and I love to do this, even if we aren’t buying anything, it’s a fun way to walk around and chat.
- Netflix Marathon: Binge-watch a new series together. This is actually one of my favorite things to do with my teens, especially an old series like Gilmore Girls or something the boys love that I wouldn’t normally watch.
- Learn a New Skill: Could be cooking, coding, sewing, or photography.
- Experience a New Outdoor Destination: Whether it’s a beach you’ve never been to, a hike that’s been calling your name, or a National Park.
- Visit a U-Pick Farm: Find a U-pick flower or fruit farm to harvest some goodies.
- Host a Backyard Movie Night: We love to be the fun house with an open door for our kid’s friends. Movie Nights are a great way to have everyone’s friends over at once. Don’t forget the DIY popcorn station!
- Design & Create Custom T-Shirts: Our teens love getting creative with my Cricut to make shirts for concerts, sporting events, or just to match with friends.
- Cook a New Recipe: Pick an outrageous or indulgent meal to learn to cook.
- Take a Road Trip: We love going up the California Coast or exploring the desert landscapes in Arizona.
- Take Up a New Sport: Try something like paddleboarding, foot golf, or tennis.
- Learn a New Language: Even learning simple phrases is a great foundation! Encourage your teens by discussing future vacation destination to practice their new skills.
- Go Jet Skiing: Add some thrill to your lake or seaside visits.
- Have a Laser Tag Tournament: A little friendly competition never hurt.
- Create a Giant Slip ‘n Slide: Somehow, I find our backyard transformed into a water park at some point every summer (see above)!
- Go to a Concert: Nothing beats a summer concert! Last year, Ella and I did the Eras Tour and I think we will forever be looking for more experiences like it.
- Create an Epic Spotify Playlist: Compile everyone’s favorite summer hits.
- Make a Scrapbook: Scrapbooking is a fun way to document all your summer adventures. Go all out with different stickers, incorporating mementos, and polaroid photos.
- Marvel Movie Marathon: Watch the saga from start to finish.
- Visit a Farmer’s Market: Enjoy fresh local produce and artisan goods.
- Host Beach Games Olympics: Enjoy Spikeball, Ramp Shot, and Bulzi Bucket.
- Go Stargazing: Find constellations or watch for shooting stars.
- Watch a Sunrise and a Sunset: Bonus points if you do both in one day!
- Plant a Garden: Grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
- See a Drive-In Movie: Cinema under the stars!
- Create a time capsule: This is a fun idea to do as a family or for a teen to do with their friend group.
- Make a TikTok Dance Video: And you know, you’ve got to include the whole family.
- Make Friendship Bracelets: What can I say? Taylor Swift inspired us.
- Visit a Waterpark: Cool off and have a blast on water slides.
- Have a DIY Pizza Party: With all the works, of course.
I must admit, the teen years are not as daunting as I once feared. In fact, I’m loving every moment, from setting boundaries to watching them step out of their comfort zones as they edge closer to adulthood. We always say we get just 18 summers with our kids, and my husband and I are dedicated to making each one count.
So whether you’re planning to accompany your teen on a road trip or they’re venturing out to camp with friends, cherish these moments, make sure you ride a roller coaster or two, chow down on homemade ice cream, and dance around the living room a few more times with them before they are grown.. Join us in making every summer unforgettable. (And don’t forget to check out my tips on the 15 Best Vacations for Teens to make your travels even more memorable!)
You May Also Like:
18 AMAZING SUMMER VACATION IDEAS [KID-APPROVED!]
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT IDEAS – 129 AWESOME MOVIES & TV SHOWS FOR FAMILIES
5 INSIDER TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF DISNEY IN THE RAIN
Pin for Later – Epic Summer Bucketlist for Teens
- Best Halloween Shows for Kids and Teens [2024’s Ultimate Watchlist!] - October 1, 2024
- Disney Oogie Boogie Bash 2024! Pro Tips You Need to Know - September 6, 2024
- The Best Southern California Halloween Attractions in 2024 - August 22, 2024
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment