Best Ever Summer Bucket List

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With our kids home, it can be overwhelming to think of some fun things to do. Our summer bucket list has some really great ideas that can add tons of fun to your summer. It’s going to be an amazing summer, and we can’t wait to watch your RVA summer happen!

  1. Go out for a family hike!

There are tons of great hiking trails in Richmond. Download the AllTrails app to see what sort of trails are around you and how difficult they are for your family.

  1. RVA Rocks

Get creative and paint rocks for your neighborhood! Once you’re done, place them around the block so that other walkers and families can find them. Stick to themes or just paint inspirational messages that we can all use during these challenging times. It’s a simple and cheap project that’ll keep the kids busy for hours.

  1. Make a bonfire and tell stories

If you have a fire pit at home, light it up one night and take turns telling stories. Make them silly, scary, or just share memories.

  1. Go to a drive-in theater

Movie theaters won’t be the same this summer, so head to a local drive-in theater near you! The Goochland Drive-In is always a hit for kids and moms alike. Don’t feel like going out? You can also create your own with a projector, and a white sheet outside.

  1. Blow bubbles and chase them

You can never go wrong with bubbles. It’s fun for all ages. You can keep it simple and let the kids blow them and chase them or get fancy with a bubble machine (highly recommended).

  1. Have water balloon fights

Every kid loves water balloons, so make sure you stock up on them this summer! It’s fairly inexpensive and awesome if you are the one who starts it and catches the kiddos by surprise.

  1. Sprinkler toys

If you don’t have a pool, the next best thing is sprinkler toys. There are tons of different options and they’re fairly cheap, providing your family a fun way to stay cool in the heat.

  1. Have a dance party

Dress up in your craziest gear and dance it out! Decorate if you can and have a wild dance party the kids will never forget. When I was around 8, my brothers and sisters all put on our Halloween costumes one day and had the most epic dance party in the front yard.  Trust me on this one – the memories made will be amazing.

  1. Go fishing

There are tons of fishing options in RVA to spend a peaceful day out catching fish. Options include Deep Run Park in Henrico’s West End, Great Shiplock Park & Chapel Island Park which is a part of the James River Park System, Three Lakes Park in Henrico,  and of course Belle Isle.

  1. Have a watermelon eating contest

Watermelon and summer go hand-in-hand so why not stir up some friendly family competition with a watermelon eating contest. Cut up slices, have competitors put their hands behind their backs, and see who can eat the most watermelon slices in a minute!

  1. Create sidewalk chalk art

Once it cools off in the evening, spend some time outside creating sidewalk chalk art!

  1. Have a good ol’ BBQ

Nothing screams summer like a BBQ, so fire up the grill and eat dinner outside as much as possible.

  1. Hula hoop fun

Remember how fun it was to hula hoop in the backyard and see who could keep it going the longest? Well, now it’s time to do that with your kids!

  1. Eat a Hanover Tomato

Always a favorite in Central VA, Hanover Tomatoes are a MUST.  Juicy and delicious, you have to get one.  But where can I get them from the source? Check out Hanover Vegetable Farm.  Not only do they have a really fun market, but there are goats, and chickens, and rabbits to check out.

  1. Ride bikes

Summer is the perfect time to teach your kids how to ride a bike (if they don’t know). Once everyone has a set of two wheels, go for a bike ride early in the morning or during the evening when it’s cooler out.

  1. Make tie-dye shirts

In case you haven’t noticed, tie-die is having a huge fashion moment again. Make some of your own fashionable creations at home with fun tie-dye crafts. You don’t need much in terms of supplies!

  1. Read in the shade

Have a favorite tree at a nearby park or on your property. Grab tons of your favorite books and head outside to read them in the shade of that glorious tree!

  1. Play games

Have weekly game nights outside or learn new ones. Now would be the perfect time to teach your kids how to play classics like checkers and chess. Do you have a family you are close with? Invite them over for weekly game nights. 

  1. Make homemade ice cream

We can’t think of a better way to cool off in summer than to eat ice cream. But why not make it more fun by making it yourself! Here’s a fun recipe that’s simple and easy.

  1. Create a family journal

Start a family journal that includes pictures and stories about all your summer adventures.

  1. Go on a scavenger hunt

Go outside and look for things on your scavenger hunt. You can create the list and include anything your child might be into (like bugs) or find one here.

  1. Make a birdhouse/bird feeder

Many of the local hardware stores have crafts for kids, including birdhouses. If not, a simple search online will provide you instructions on how to go about crafting one to put up outside. Then take time to observe the different birds that come to feed.

  1. Wash the cars

Have the kids help you wash the family cars. It’ll teach them some responsibility while also allowing them to cool off. Don’t forget to have a sponge fight!

  1. Gaze up at the clouds

If it’s a cloudy day, throw some blankets on the ground and stare up at the clouds, naming things that the clouds look like.

  1. Build a fort

A must for any summer bucket list, this is classic and so much fun! But instead of an indoor fort, make it outside!

  1. Make a family movie

Move over TikTok, thanks to all the movie apps on our phones and computers, why not make a family movie and edit it to send to friends and family you might not see this summer!

  1. Fun lawn games

Turn your lawn into fun by bringing out all the lawn games you have in the garage. Everything from cornhole, croquet to bowling – your kids will have a blast.

  1. Create a backyard waterpark

Get every inflatable pool, water table, or water sprinkler you have, and then create your very own backyard waterpark. Don’t forget the multiple hoses if you can.

  1. Fly kites

Head to your closest discount store to pick up some kites to fly at your favorite local park.

  1. Backyard camping

Grab all of your camping supplies and create a campground right in your own backyard. Don’t forget the s’mores!

And lastly…

31. Summer Bucket List 2023 

Want to make your own summer bucket list?  We made a great example just for you!