Top 20 End of Summer Bucket List for Kids (DIY Crafts & Fun Must-Do Activities!) Leave a comment
Hey mama! 🌞 Can you believe we’re already at the tail end of summer? As a mom of three who knows the bittersweet feeling of packing away swimsuits and pulling out backpacks, I put together our family’s ultimate End-of-Summer Bucket List.
These are fun, screen-free, memory-making crafts & activities that your kids will love — and yes, I found some perfect Amazon must-haves to make it extra special (just add your affiliate links!).
Let’s soak up these last sunny days together! ☀️
🧃 1. Backyard Tie-Dye Party
Create colorful shirts, socks, or tote bags!
🛒 Amazon pick: Tulip One-Step Tie Dye Kit
- The original One-Step Dye formula makes tie dye easy for all skill levels: just add water, shake, and apply!
- Create with every color on the spectrum: our color-fast dyes stay bright and bold with every wash!
- Just add water to bottles to activate dyes
✨ Why I love it: It’s kid-friendly, vibrant colors, and includes everything you need = less mess for mom!
🌼 2. DIY Nature Suncatchers
Collect summer flowers & leaves, press them, then create suncatchers.
🛒 Amazon pick: Clear contact paper + wood frames
✨ Why: Super affordable and keeps little hands busy while creating something beautiful for their windows!
🎨 3. Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival
Host your own mini neighborhood art show.
🛒 Amazon pick: Jumbo Washable Chalk
✨ Why: Bright colors, easy to wash off, big pieces perfect for tiny hands!
🔍 4. End-of-Summer Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things to find: red leaf, funny-shaped rock, butterfly…
🛒 Amazon pick: Reusable dry-erase scavenger hunt boards
✨ Why: Use them year after year & customize your hunt!
📸 5. DIY Photo Booth & Props
Perfect for silly selfies & family pics!
🛒 Amazon pick: Photo booth prop kit
✨ Why: Kids love dressing up & it captures memories before the school rush.
- Get the Perfect Party Selfies: These funny diy photo booth props are the perfect addition to your party photo booth. Inc…
- Inspire Creative Photos: With a variety of colorful props, your guests can capture the perfect shots. These family frien…
- Durable Cardstock for Longer Photoshoots: These photo booth accessories are printed on high-quality cardstock that won’t…
🌊 6. Homemade Ocean Slime
Cool, stretchy slime that looks like ocean waves!
🛒 Amazon pick: Elmer’s slime kit + blue glitter
✨ Why: Safe ingredients, easy instructions & endless sensory fun.
🍦 7. Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Set up toppings & let kids create masterpieces!
🛒 Amazon pick: Ice cream bowls + fun spoons set
✨ Why: Colorful, reusable & makes snack time extra special.
🍉 8. Watermelon Picnic & Seed Spitting Contest
Simple, silly fun — and delicious too!
🛒 Amazon pick: Outdoor picnic blanket
✨ Why: Waterproof & folds into a carry bag.
✂️ 9. Friendship Bracelet Making
Classic summer craft that never gets old.
🛒 Amazon pick: Embroidery floss kit with organizer
✨ Why: Tons of colors & keeps kids crafting quietly for hours!
🌳 10. DIY Bird Feeder
Use pinecones, peanut butter & birdseed to welcome feathered friends.
🛒 Amazon pick: Bulk birdseed + twine
✨ Why: Affordable & perfect for sparking kids’ love for nature!
🏄♀️ 11. “Last Splash” Backyard Water Day
Slip & slide, sprinklers, water balloons!
🛒 Amazon pick: Reusable water balloons + splash mat
✨ Why: Eco-friendly balloons & splash mat = fun without the waste.
🌠 12. Stargazing Night
Lay on blankets & watch for shooting stars.
🛒 Amazon pick: Kids constellation guide
✨ Why: Educational & magical under the summer sky!
🐠 13. DIY Painted Rocks
Turn rocks into ladybugs, fish, or kindness rocks to leave around town.
🛒 Amazon pick: Rock painting kit with paints & brushes
✨ Why: Everything included, non-toxic & so fun!
🍧 14. Make Shaved Ice or Snow Cones
Cool treat that feels like a fair day!
🛒 Amazon pick: Compact snow cone machine
✨ Why: Quick, kid-friendly & easy cleanup.
- FLUFFY, DELICIOUS SNOW CONES: Everyone loves the cool, refreshing taste of a classic snow cone treat. Nostalgia’s Counte…
- 20 SNOW CONES: Make up to twenty 8-ounce snow cones at a time to keep everyone happy with yummy snow in hand, whether it…
- PERFECTLY CUT ICE: The precise cutting made by the stainless-steel cutting blades in this machine work quickly and effec…
🏰 15. Build a Cardboard Box Fort
Raid your recycling & get creative!
🛒 Amazon pick: Decorative duct tape & craft paint
✨ Why: Transforms plain boxes into castles, rockets, anything!
🌻 16. DIY Painted Flower Pots
Let kids decorate pots & plant seeds for fall.
🛒 Amazon pick: Mini terra cotta pots & acrylic paint
✨ Why: Cute keepsakes that brighten up porches or windowsills.
📚 17. Outdoor Storytime & Picnic
Bring a basket of books & read under the shade.
🛒 Amazon pick: Kids camping chairs
✨ Why: Kid-sized, lightweight & foldable.
🏖️ 18. Beach (or Pool) Day Finale
Pack the sand toys & swim one last time before school bells ring!
🛒 Amazon pick: Mesh beach toy bag
✨ Why: Sand falls right out, keeps the car clean!
🍿 19. Backyard Movie Night
String up a sheet, grab popcorn & pillows!
🛒 Amazon pick: Mini projector + outdoor screen
- 【Upgraded 1080P HD Video Projector】To better meet your needs, we have upgraded the V08 home projector with our latest LE…
- 【Bluetooth 5.1 Function】With built-in upgraded speaker, you can enjoy a cinematic audio-visual experience without connec…
- 【Portable Projector Screen Included】The V08 mini projector includes a projection screen that is tailored to meet our cus…
✨ Why: Affordable family movie nights all year round!
✏️ 20. “Dear Summer” Scrapbook
Print photos & let kids draw or write their favorite memories.
🛒 Amazon pick: Blank scrapbook kit with stickers & markers
✨ Why: Hands-on keepsake to remember the summer fun forever!
🎉 Ready to make these last sunny days even easier?
I put together a FREE printable End of Summer Bucket List checklist just for you! 🏖️✨
Hang it on the fridge, pop it in your planner, or tuck it into your beach bag — so you and the kids can check off each fun DIY craft and activity as you go. ✔️
Let’s turn those “I’m bored!” days into colorful memories, giggles, and messy craft tables. 🌈💛
👇 Click here to download your FREE bucket list checklist! 👇
🧡 Let’s make these last days count!
Summer doesn’t have to fade quietly — let’s go out with giggles, glue sticks, sprinkles & sparkle! 🌟
Tip: Most of these activities double as creative downtime & bonding moments before the busy school season.
