crafty coastal vanessa

Heads up: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them—at no extra cost to you! I only share things I genuinely love or wish I had in my cart.

This summer, I made a promise to myself: less screen time, more sunshine—especially for my toddler, Sienna. She’s at that magical age where everything is exciting, she sings her heart out at random moments, and her curiosity could power a small country. And while I love a good Bluey episode as much as the next mom, I knew we needed more moments that spark her imagination off the screen.

So, I put together a Summer Bucket List filled with simple, affordable ideas we can actually do—and enjoy. Some of my favorite memories with my little family have been totally unplanned, like playing in the waves at the beach or last minute trip to an amusement park. This list is full of those “little things” that turn into core memories.

Amazon Links for Each Summer Bucket List Activity

Here are some fun Amazon finds that would make this summer bucket list even more magical! These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting my content!

Check out my Amazon Store Front for more ideas!

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🍉 Backyard Picnic with Popsicles
Reusable Silicone Popsicle Molds

🏖️ Beach Day with Shell Collecting
Kids Beach Toy Set

🎨 Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Jumbo Sidewalk Chalk Set

💦 DIY Sprinkler or Water Table
Step2 Rain Showers and Unicorns Water Table
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Flower Sprinkler Toy

🍋 Make Lemonade from Scratch
Toddler-Friendly Juicer
Mini Glass Cups with Straws

🛶 Nature Scavenger Hunt
Nature Hunt Cards for Kids
Outdoor Activity Book

📽️ Outdoor Movie Night
Mini Outdoor Projector
Outdoor Blanket

🧺 Visit a Local Farmers Market
Reusable Kids Shopping Tote Bag

🎣 Feed Ducks or Pond Walk
Bucket Hat with Neck Cover for Toddlers

📸 Summer Scrapbook or Polaroids
Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera
Kids DIY Scrapbook Kit

🍦 Try a New Ice Cream Spot (or at Home)
Ice Cream Play Set (Play)
Ice Cream Mix

🏕️ Backyard Camping & S’mores
Toddler Play Tent (Indoor/Outdoor)
S’mores Maker Set

🧃 Make Homemade Popsicles
Popsicle Molds

🏀 Family Game Night (Outside Edition)
Water Balloon Set (No Tying)
Sponge Water Bomb Balls

✨ Fireworks or Fireflies
Bug Catching Kit with Magnifier & Jar
Glow Sticks Party Pack

Save this list, share it with a mom friend, and tag me if you check any off—I’d love to see your summer in action! 📸

From my sandy home to yours—thanks for being here 🌺