30 Summer Bucket List Ideas for City Kids

For as long as I can remember, at the beginning of the summer I write out a bucket list with all of the fun things I want to do. It leaves me with something to do every single weekend. I never get the feeling like I am missing out, because I know I am doing all the exciting activities I have planned out.  By the end of the season, I would maybe have only checked of half of the list. But, man, did it feel good.

Now that I have my oldest, my list looks a little different – way more fun! I have a goal to check off all.the.things. this year! Somehow, there are always a few things left on the list that I am sad I missed out on. I wanted to put together a roundup of the best summer bucket list ideas to do with your kids to get you started on your own! I promise it will make those summer days with kids home from school go much faster. And you won’t end the summer filled with regret about the sunny days wasted!

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1. Water Balloon Fight – make your life easy and get these awesome balloons that fill up twenty or so at a time!
2. Hit the beach – don’t forget these cute, collapsible sand buckets and your sunscreen!
3. Watch a movie outside – don’t forget to check out the great movies they show on the Intrepid!
4. Stay up with your kids till dusk in Riverside Park and catch fireflies before setting them free.
5. Make homemade popsicles!
6. Go swimming in Central Park – it’s free and you can picnic on the Harlem Meer when you need a break.
7. Go fruit and veggie picking – our favorite place in the tristate area is Alstede Farms. They have the best strawberries!
8. Make chalk shadow bodies and turn the into your favorite storybook characters!
9. Take a trip to the zoo – the Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesdays!
10. Hit up your local library to learn a new craft or discover more about your favorite planet.
11. Go see a Yankee game. Get seats in the bleachers and cheer like your life depends on it!
12. Head over to Long Island City for some of the best views of Manhattan. Pack a picnic to eat on the lawn, play in the splash pad and take the ferry back in. 
13. Fly a kite – and sing the song while you are at it!
14. Visit a local art museum – The Studio Museum in Harlem is free on Sundays and a great place to see some local artists.
15. Find the bubble man in Central Park – where else can your kids be enveloped in a giant bubble?
16. Ride the tram to Roosevelt Island – play at the park and on the way home, stop at Serendipity for a frozen hot chocolate!
17. Go on a hike – The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park are a great place to explore a little nature right in the city!
18. Take the ferry to Governor’s Island – you can rent bikes for the whole family. They even have the option for a baby seat! So fun!
19. Go to neighborhoods you haven’t explored – getting out of your routine can make for an extra special day, even if it is just pizza and the playground.
20. See a show – a kids show, that is! Every year, Theater Works puts on fabulous performances, like Pete the Cat, usually completely free! Follow their website for updates and showtimes.
21. Escape the heat and teach your kids about the 80’s with a day of pinball at Modern Pinball.
22. Row, row, row your boat – rent kayaks down under the Brooklyn Bridge and take in some of the city’s greatest sites from the water.
23. See the fireworks at Coney Island ever Friday night – Best part? No reason to make dinner when you can have hot dogs at the original Nathan’s!
24. Experience the New York Philharmonic out in the parks – this is one of my favorite summer activities. Pack a picnic, bring a bottle of wine, and enjoy beautiful music.
25. Go to the biggest block party the city has to offer – The Big Apple BBQ block party is one of the best food festivals of the summer. Music, food, drinks, and fun.
26. Run to the Water Lab at Brooklyn’s Pier 6 playgrounds – get there early! It gets super busy, but is totally worth it for the amazing splash pad. There is also the fabulous sand park, slide mountain and swing village to take advantage of while you are there. Don’t leave without an Ample Hills Creamery cone!
27. Make your own ice cream! I love this easy way in a bag! SO much fun!
28. Track down the Mr Softee truck for the most quintessential New York Ice Cream.
29. Plan a scavenger hunt through central park. Look for Alice and Wonderland, the carousel, horse drawn carriages and more!
30. Have your kids set up shop down by The Plaza with a sketch pad and pencils. See if they can find anyone who will let them practice their art skills with a hand made portrait!

This is just the start of all the fun things we will have on our summer bucket list. If all else fails, just find a friend that with a pool!

Did I miss anything? What are you most excited to do with your kids this season??