This post: Teen Summer Bucket List: 99 Things to Do that are Cheap or Free / Post updated: May 2023
Ahhh summer… lazy days in the sun, long breezy nights, and lots of time hanging out with your friends – that’s what summer is all about!
But, before you get too comfy thinking you can crash all summer, sleep in every day and hang out without a care in the world. Brace yourself. Yo mama’s not going to be happy if you hang out on your phone or play video games all day, every day.
That’s why we’ve put together this cool summer summary of things you can do this summer (either alone or with your favorite BFFs) that are cheap or totally free – 99 things in all to add to your summer bucket list!
So, get moving! Make the most of your summer break by checking off a few things from our 99 Things to Do Teen Summer Bucket List!
1. Have an epic water gunfight.
2. Get a little rowdy at a music festival.
3. Go on a sunset hike. (Check out these awesome hiking trails in the United States.)
4. Bake an extreme cake. (Here’s some cake-baking inspiration: 50 BEST cake recipes in the world).
5. Visit a new mall you’ve never been to.
6. Volunteer at the local animal shelter. (Or, take part in Doggie Day Out. Here’s how it works.)
7. Visit a college campus. (When you go, here are a few tips to make the most of your college visit.)
8. Have a spa-themed slumber party. (Here are a few fun ideas you’ll love!)
9. Camp in the backyard, star gaze and make s’mores. (Check out these fun camping games!)
10. Have a garage sale and make a few bucks selling stuff you don’t want.
11. Kiss a cutie you’re crushing on.
12. Act like a visitor and take a tour of the nearest city. (Don’t forget to rent a Segway).
13. Go to a cool museum.
14. Jump off the high dive at the city pool.
15. Go to a park and play frisbee. (Think frisbees are boring? You won’t after watching this video!)
16. Go to the zoo.
17. Take a drive to a lake or the ocean.
18. Go to a summer movie and eat tons of popcorn.
19. Rearrange or redo your bedroom. (Looking for inspiration? Check out these ideas!)
20. Spend an afternoon with your little brother or sister. (Trust me, they’ll love it!)
21. Buy something you’d normally never wear.
22. Go roller skating or ice skating.
23. Host a DIY craft party. (Here are a few DIY crafts you can make and actually sell!)
24. Run a 5K. (Want to crush your first race? Here are a few training tips to get you started.)
25. Join (an inexpensive) gym and get fit.
26. Have an all-day Netflix marathon movie day.
27. Watch all the Harry Potter movies.
28. Go tubing down a river.
29. Go on a spontaneous adventure.
30. Go kayaking.
31. Call a boy or girl you’re crushing on and invite them to the pool.
32. Create your own slip-and-slide on a hill. (Here’s how!)
33. Go fishing.
34. Spend a day thrift shopping.
35. Challenge yourself to accomplish one major goal by the end of summer.
36. Read a great book.
37. Invite your friends over for an epic gaming day.
38. Get a new and different haircut.
39. Take a road trip with your besties.
40. Try a food you’re afraid to try.
41. Pull an all-nighter (just for fun).
42. Pack a lunch and go on a long bike ride.
43. Create an awesome summertime music playlist. (For the best beach music, check out this video.)
44. Go to a carnival and ride the Ferris wheel.
45. Conduct an experiment. (Here’s a few experiments you might want to try!)
46. Do something (not dangerous) that scares you.
47. Get a job you actually like. (Or, any job for that matter.)
48. Have a photo shoot with your friends. (For crazy and fun BFF photo ideas, check out this site!)
49. Freak your mom out and clean your room.
50. Make up a crazy game with your friends.
51. Learn how to braid your hair like a pro. (Here are6 braids you can learn today!)
52. Go on a fancy date with your boyfriend or girlfriend.
53. Learn how to cook your favorite meal.
54. Rock the cutest nail designs of the season. (Here arethe top nail trends!)
55. Try out a new beauty face mask for glowing skin. (Here are 5 easy DIY face masks you can make at home!)
56. Go to the mall and try on bathing suits.
57. Learn to drive.
58. Take lots of naps.
59. Go Geocaching. (Not sure what geocaching is? Get the lowdown here!)
60. Start a new hobby. (For tons of great hobby ideas, check out these ideas!)
61. Share a massive ice cream sundae with your friends.
62. Take your dog on a long walk.
63. Make a commitment to eat healthier. (Get a great jump on your day with these easy and healthy breakfast ideas!)
64. Go putt-putt golfing.
65. Go to a go-kart track.
66. Make a movie or music video.
67. Get up early, drink coffee and watch the sunrise with your friends. (Just in case you need your specialty coffee in the morning, here are 23 coffee drinks you can make at home.)
68. Sit on a deck or pier with your friends, watch the sunset and talk about your hopes and dreams.
69. Write a letter to your BFF telling her the three things you love most about your friendship.
70. Crank up the music and dance with your friends.
71. Make summertime smoothies. (Here are 50 smoothie recipes to choose from!)
72. Go to a baseball game and root for the underdog.
73. Sleep in. (Warning: If you sleep in too often your mom will lose it.)
74. Host a taco bar party with all the fixings.
75. Learn to play poker (or any new card game).
76. Watch all the silly cartoons you loved as a child.
77. Watch fireworks sitting on the roof of a car.
78. Take a nap in a hammock.
79. Be a summer camp counselor.
80. Catch fireflies for old-time sake.
82. Help someone who is homeless.
83. Strike up a conversation with a senior citizen and ask them what summers were like when they were young.
84. Build your confidence by doing something you thought you never could.
85. Sit in a crowded place and people watch.
86. Learn a new instrument.
87. Challenge yourself to turn your phone off for an entire day.
88. Practice flirting. (Need a few pointers? Check out these tips!)
89. Buy a 1000-piece puzzle and see if you and your friends can finish it in a day.
90. Get an internship.
91. Say “YES” to everything for one day.
92. Conquer a fear.
93. Do a random act of kindness. (Looking for ideas? Check out this amazing video!)
94. Raise money for someone who needs it.
95. Sleep on your porch.
96. Throw a birthday party for your dog and invite all your friend’s dogs. (Here aretips to throw the best doggie party ever!)
97. Tell your parents how much you love them. (That’ll really freak them out.)
98. Go to a drive-in movie.
99. Buy yourself one momento to remember the amazing summer you had.
