SUMMER BUCKET LIST: 13 THINGS TO DO WITH FRIENDS
Am I the only person who thought summer was the shortest season?
My theory is that many of us felt this way because we based it on a school calendar for a good portion of our lives.
So when we were younger, because we felt like we had so little time, we filled up our days with as many activities as we could to make the most of it.
But then what happened?
We grew up and started working throughout the summer, and only allowed ourselves to enjoy it if we took off for a short vacation from our jobs.
And that is just not enough!
We have this beautiful, long season that should be filled with fun activities where we can enjoy every bit of summer, and not solely when we take PTO.
This blog post is all about recapturing those good vibes of summer days spent with your best friends. Check out these 13 activities that will help you create memories with your friends that you’ll reminisce on all year long!
13 Fun Summer Activities to Do With Friends
1| Go to an amusement park or carnival
You’re not too old for roller coasters or rides! Who lied and told you that?
And even if rides aren’t your thing, amusement parks have so many other fun things you can do together, like shows, arcade games, shopping, and indulging in theme park foods.
If neither is your vibe, try a water park!
2| Have a water day!
What’s a water day?
I made it up, but essentially, it’s a day for you to enjoy spending time in water in some way.
Swim or layout at a beach or lake
Go on a boat ride
Do water activities (Like kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, surfing, etc.)
Go river tubing
If you have the luxury of living near a body of water, then it’s only right that you and your friends take advantage of spending as much time as possible in it.
3| Play a sport
I have often shied away from anything sports-related because I’m not very coordinated, but really, that’s an excuse!
Sometimes we write stuff off without even trying it. You and your friends can have a lot of fun playing sports without the pressure that comes from being on an official team.
Here are some popular summer sports:
Kickball
Tennis
Pickleball
Volleyball
Softball
4| Attend an event in another state
A weekend getaway is a vibe for any season of the year, but it’s especially nice in the summer because you and your friends can move around without having to wear big coats or plan around freezing weather.
Pick an event you all were already interested in going to (like a concert, play, or sports game), but choose a different city or state so that you can explore a new area together.
Do some pre-planning and look up restaurants you want to try, stores you’d like to shop, and places you can get the most post-worthy photos with your friends!
5| Dinner and drinks (but make it aesthetic)
I know this doesn’t sound super exciting or unique, but here’s the twist: get dressed up.
Sure, you go out to eat with your friends all the time, but how often are you guys throwing on comfy clothes and being unintentional about the outing?
Make it an experience!
Put on that outfit that you keep saving for some big event, do your hair and makeup, and all of the things that make you feel beautiful and confident.
Then take cute pictures together!
You and your friends are beautiful, and we all know the quote “look good, feel good” is a real thing! Enjoy a night out feeling like the baddies you are!
Bonus points if you guys get ready together, because we all know that’s the most fun part of going out anyways.
6| Enjoy a reading picnic
Are you and your friends part of the bookish community? If so, this idea is perfect for you!
You guys can either pack cute picnic baskets or pick up food from a restaurant, grab a big outdoor blanket, and make your way to your nearest park.
If you and your friends are of age and enjoy a glass of wine, you could each bring different bottles of wine and do a mini tasting as well. (If so, please have a designated driver or use a ridesharing app to prevent drinking and driving.)
An alternative to this is to go to a winery that has food and do a wine tasting, and bring your books with you to enjoy over lunch.
Relevant Blog Post: How To Host A Book Club With Friends (Book Recommendations Included)
7| Dance at a day party
This new generation does not want to go to the clerb, and I’m not just talking about us millennials, even those younger than us are not feeling club vibes anymore, at least not at night.
There has been a lot of craziness going on in the world, and I think many of us want to have a good time, but we want to be home before the street lights come on (Clearly, our parents knew what they were talking about).
This is where a good old-fashioned day party comes in!
You can dance the day away with your girls and make it home by a time you feel comfortable and safe.
8| Throw a BBQ
Our parents have passed the baton, and it is now on us to host the BBQ.
It’s a rite of passage really, and we have not been stepping up to the plate like we are supposed to, so let’s change that!
How-To BBQ:
Pick a date
Curate a menu (Assign dishes)
Get tables, chairs, and simple decorations
Curate the perfect playlist
Have activities beyond eating (A rope for tug of war, giant Connect Four, card games, corn hole, etc.)
The most important thing that I’ve learn about hosting a BBQ with friends is to make it a group responsibility.
Everyone wants to have a good time, so everyone should pitch in!
Having everything fall on one person is unfair and will make that friend not want to host anymore.
9| Go fishing or crabbing
Fun fact: I’m from a beach area but have never really gone fishing. However, I have gone crabbing on a school trip and it was a lot of fun!
If you’ve never done either, what a great time to experience something brand new. If you live near a public fishing pier or lake with public access points, this is a great start for beginners.
You can also rent equipment or use a starter kit that you can find at a big box store. Depending on where you live, you could find a class for beginners.
If you’re already about that fishing or crabbing life, then take it a step further and hold a fish fry or a crab boil with whatever you catch from the day!
10| Go on a girls trip
This will always be a recommendation for the summer, and not just because I wrote a book on how to get your girls trip out of the group chat.
But because I believe in the positive impact a girls trip can have on you and your friends if done with careful planning and consideration.
A getaway with your besties creates endless chances to connect by providing a space for intimate conversations, opportunities for new experiences together, and quality time that’s not interrupted by everyday life.
Check out these blog posts on how to create the best girls trip experience:
11| Have an adult swimming pool party (with a twist)
All credit for this idea goes to the creator @_melissachanel. I saw her video on Tiktok and had to include it on this list!
The idea is to get individual blow-up swimming pools, your favorite drinks and snacks, a portable speaker, and enjoy some quality time in the water.
This is a great option for those who don’t live near a beach or lake or have access to a local swimming pool.
It’s also for those who would rather bring the pool to their backyard. Whatever your reason, it’s sure to be a lot of fun!
12| Go to the zoo or aquarium
We are tapping back into the activities that brought us so much joy as children, so grab your besties and head to the zoo! Or the aquarium if that’s more your speed.
We’re older now, so as you walk around admiring the animals, read the information cards and learn something new together.
Take time to admire God’s creations and allow yourself to get excited about the lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!
13| Go to an adventure park
Adventure parks offer rope and obstacle courses that will challenge you and your friends, provide a fantastic workout, and, depending on the course, create an opportunity for teamwork.
The parks typically include zip lines, balance beams, Tarzan swings, suspension bridges, and rock climbing.
These activities will strengthen each of you while also strengthening your friendships.
How to Have A Hot Girl Summer With Your Friends
1| Try a new outfit
I can’t be the only person who feels like I’ve been dressing the same way my whole life ,and that my wardrobe could use a little spicing up?!
Go shopping with your girlfriends and pick out something new. Our bodies and style change over time, you’d be surprised what you may like now that would boost your confidence.
Make it a game and pick out outfits for each other!
2| Make quality time a priority
It’s easy to keep saying “we should do that,” or send each other social media videos of things you’d like to do one day.
Let’s make "one day” an actual set date on the calendar. Find ways to prioritize hanging out with your friends this summer.
Let’s say you’re in a three-person friend group; assign a month to each friend to organize an outing. Or find another way you can take turns.
Do something that will keep hangouts on the calendar all summer.
3| Memorialize the moments
Create a shared album or scrapbook for all the memories you and your friends will create this summer.
That means, start taking pictures again!
Somewhere down the line, we stopped taking as many photos as we used to (likely due to social media apps favoring videos), but a picture will always be worth a thousand words.
Try getting an old-fashioned instant camera (like a Kodak) or a modern one (Like an Instax mini) and take turns using it throughout the day to get pictures from each friends’ perspectives.
4| Step out of your comfort zone
This is pretty self-explanatory, but try something new.
That doesn’t mean do something that will trigger you or cause you an unhealthy amount of anxiety, but try something sensible that will give you a new experience.
Like if you go out to eat with your friends, don’t pick your go-to meal, shake it up, or even allow your friends to pick something for you.
Life’s too short not to experience more than what you think you’re capable of; you’re capable of so much more.
5| Respect your boundaries
While getting out of your comfort zone is a must, you should still have a level of discernment to protect your life and your well-being.
Examples:
Don’t allow yourself to spend beyond your means just to hang out with friends (See blog post: 10 WAYS TO THRIVE IN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS WHILE ON A BUDGET)
Don’t mess up your healthy eating journey by excessively indulging when going out to eat with your friends
Don’t get wasted with your besties when you’re trying to reduce your alcohol intake
In the summer, it’s easy to release your inhibitions for the sake of a good time, but you know the person you’re trying to become.
Now is the perfect time to learn how to have fun as the version of you that you are today.
Don’t let the allure of summer knock you off your square!
Don’t miss out on the opportunities to pour into your friendships this summer!
Let me know in the comments what you and your besties love to do when it’s warm outside, or if you would try any of these ideas.
