Summer is upon us. Every year I have high aspirations of doing “all the things” that Summer has to offer — and though I check a few things off my list, I rarely truly seize the season. This year I bolstered my summer plan to help me make the most of this sun-drenched, sweet, nostalgic — yet fleeting — period of time.

See below for my strategy in crafting a comprehensive, feasible and playful summer bucket list.

Reasearch

Make a list of towns or cities nearby (or not!) that you want to include in your search. Be realistic about how far you’d like to travel for any given activity, and cognizant of cost implications (e.g., gas, hotels).

Utilize Pinterest, your favorite blogs, local news articles, etc. to identify upcoming events, recurring activities, featured seasonal offerings, summertime recipes, etc. Save links or screenshots for quick reference throughout the Summer.
Note: I am using Milanote to prep for, plan and maintain my summer bucket list

Save & vet ideas

Document activities that you’ve selected for your “short-list” in as much detail as is helpful. For example, I like to note when an activity might take place (time of day), weather considerations and whether I want to invite a friend.

Establish your budget. For activities that require a ticket to enter or that have a known associated cost, document that cost per person. For activities that don’t require a ticket but will have a cost aspect (e.g., food for a picnic), estimate the cost to your best ability. This will help you narrow down and prioritize your overall list.
Aim for variety of activities or establish a theme for the summer (e.g., fair foods, crafting). My goals for Summer 2024 are to be outside as much as possible, send time with friends and explore nearby towns. Keep your goal(s) in mind as you prepare your list — and go back to the research step if your initial ideas are off the mark.

mark your calendar

Some activities may be flexible (i.e., you can fit them in any time), but it is helpful to select specific dates to start so you can spread activities throughout the bucket list time period, group or ungroup similar items (e.g., avoid too much fair food in one week) and ensure you don’t double book activities with pre-set events (e.g., a wedding).

Weather is a primary consideration for this step. For example, I signed up for berry picking in early August in the morning because berry season in Colorado doesn’t start until August, and because I presume it will be hot hot hot midday come August.
Timing and logistics are important factors, as well. Consider popular times (e.g., mid-day at a water park is likely to be slammed), traffic, holiday surges (busyness + price increases), etc. Try to optimize your calendar to be the most efficient, enjoyable and cost effective.

prep for activities

Make reservations, buy supplies, prepare outfits, invite friends & family, etc.
Utilize AI for assistance in detail planning. For example, I input the below prompt into ChatGPT.
Note: be specific to yield the best results.

enjoy!

The most important step, of course :) Assess how things are going. If you’re feeling burnt out, or bored — remove or add items accordingly. Be aware of formal changes (e.g., a rescheduled concert) or informal changes (e.g., could not hike due to rain) and adjust your calendar as needed.
Keep note of what you enjoyed most and least for future bucket list planning. Perhaps you found an activity that you want to make an annual tradition, or you determined you dislike slow days at the lake — these are important takeaways to inform future planning.

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