Summer 2020 Bucket List for Teens: Have Fun Safely

The strangest spring is about to become the oddest summer in memory. While most of us are no longer under quarantine orders, many of the places we spend our summers – camp, amusement parks, the beach – are still closed or will look very different this year. 

Even though most of us are no longer under stay-at-home orders, the virus hasn’t just gone away. You still want to limit the number of people you gather with and how much space to keep in between you and strangers. The fastest way to ruin your summer would be to get COVID-19.  Seriously.

So, I’ve created a Socially Distanced Summer Bucket List for Teens. (Though the list works equally as well for adults!) These are lots of ideas for activities to do this summer – some are inside and some are inside. Most of them can happen in your own home or backyard. They can be done just by yourself, but some will need a parent or sibling. If your family is comfortable, maybe even a good friend!

Listen, this summer will look and feel different than those in the past, but it can still be fun! Grab your socially distanced Summer Bucket List and start checking off those activities!

Summer Bucket List for Teens: Corona Edition 

Read over the list and pick out around 10 that interest you. If you need a recipe, instructions, or just some inspiration, head over to Pinterest to find all of the above. (For those not familiar with Pinterest, it is a visual search engine. Similar to Google, but you will only get visual images that link to websites.) Hate all my options? Add your own to the list!

Look at your calendar (mine is completely blank for this summer) and plan when you want to complete each. Let’s say you decide to read the entire Harry Potter series this summer. (I applaud you!) You will need to either find the physical books or download them from your public library. Then decide how much time you want to spend reading each day.

Or maybe you’ve decided to make brownies. Definitely go to Pinterest and pick a recipe. Check your pantry to see what ingredients or supplies you need to buy. Plan that shopping trip or add the ingredients to the weekly shopping haul. 

Ready fun some summer fun? Let’s dive in!

All Things Food

• Have a family picnic
• Make ice cream at home
• Make s’mores!
• Bake cookies
• Cook dinner over a campfire
• Get take-out from a local restaurant featured on the Food Network
• Make a taco bar for dinner
• Make snowcones or popsicles
• Bake brownies
• Make homemade jam or jelly
• Find a recipe on Pinterest and make it
• Make banana splits
• Throw a Chopped-style challenge
• Make homemade pizza
• Pick a cookbook and make 5 different recipes from it

Places to Visit

• Zoo
• State or national park
• Campground
• Aquarium
• Museum
• Bowling alley
• Drive-In movie theater

Entertainment

• Take an online class
• Learn a new skill for an existing hobby
• Keep a journal of your summer experiences
• Redecorate your room
• Facetime grandparents to create a family history
• Pick up a new hobby
• Read an entire book series
• Movie night in the backyard
• Watch an entire series on Netflix
• DIY spa day at home
• Tie-dye t-shirts
• Create your own cosplay costume
• Volunteer
• Learn a new TikTok dance
• Rollerskating
• Look at old family photo albums, ask questions about the pictures
• Participate in a photography challenge
• Game night
• Play your favorite video game
• Watch a movie made in each year of your life
• Learn a new card game
• Unplug for a day
• Listen to an entire podcast series

The Great Outdoors

• Go swimming
• Pool noodle fight
• Sleep under the stars
• Watch the sunrise
• Watch the sunset
• See fireworks
• Go fishing
• Water balloon fight
• Grow a garden
• Go camping
• Flashlight tag
• Pick fruits or vegetables at a farm
• Ride your bike
• Build an obstacle course
• Catch fireflies
• Wash the car
• Watergun fight
• Geocaching
• Create sidewalk chalk art

This summer will look and feel different, but it can still be fun! Grab your Summer Bucket List for Teens and start checking off some activities!

What’s on your summer bucket list this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Related Posts: 50+ Fun Summer Activities for Teens & Tweens, 11 Life Skills All Teens Need to Know, Safe at Home: Resources for Parents & Teens