Summer always seems to fly by, especially when you have a tween daughter. One minute she’s celebrating the last day of school, and the next you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies.
101 Fun Things for Tween Girls to Do This Summer
If you’ve ever heard, “Mom, I’m bored!” before lunch, this list is for you.
Whether your tween loves crafts, fashion, adventures, baking, sports, or hanging out with friends, these 101 summer activities will help fill those long sunny days with fun, creativity, and unforgettable memories.
The best part? Many of these ideas are inexpensive, screen-free, and perfect for creating the kinds of summer moments she’ll remember for years.
Let’s make this the best summer yet!
Outdoor Adventures
- Have a backyard picnic.
- Ride bikes around the neighborhood.
- Visit a local beach.
- Fly a kite.
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
- Watch the sunset together.
- Collect seashells.
- Build a sandcastle.
- Go roller skating.
- Try paddleboarding.
- Take a family hike.
- Visit a botanical garden.
- Walk your dog somewhere new.
- Explore a local park.
- Play mini golf.
- Visit a splash pad.
- Make sidewalk chalk art.
- Play frisbee.
- Have a water balloon fight.
- Run through sprinklers.
Creative Activities
- Paint flower pots.
- Make friendship bracelets.
- Learn how to crochet.
- Start a summer journal.
- Create a vision board.
- Decorate a scrapbook.
- Paint with watercolors.
- Tie-dye T-shirts.
- Learn calligraphy.
- Make beaded jewelry.
- Create your own stickers.
- Paint rocks and hide them around town.
- Design your own bookmarks.
- Make homemade candles.
- Decorate a canvas for your bedroom.
Fun with Friends
- Host a sleepover.
- Have a backyard movie night.
- Organize a lemonade stand.
- Play glow-in-the-dark games.
- Have a DIY pizza party.
- Make friendship necklaces.
- Host a spa day.
- Have an ice cream sundae bar.
- Play charades.
- Create a TikTok dance together (if age-appropriate).
- Make matching bracelets.
- Have a pajama breakfast.
- Host a board game tournament.
- Bake cookies together.
- Write each other letters to open at the end of summer.
Kitchen Fun
- Make homemade popsicles.
- Bake cupcakes.
- Decorate sugar cookies.
- Create a smoothie bar.
- Learn to make homemade pizza.
- Try making sushi.
- Have a cupcake decorating contest.
- Make chocolate-covered strawberries.
- Create fun mocktails.
- Cook dinner for the family.
Fashion & Beauty Fun
- Give each other fun hairstyles.
- Create a summer capsule wardrobe.
- Go thrift shopping.
- Have a fashion show at home.
- Paint your nails.
- Make homemade lip scrub.
- Organize your closet.
- Create cute summer outfits.
- Decorate sunglasses.
- Make personalized tote bags.
Reading & Learning
- Join the library’s summer reading program.
- Read a book under a tree.
- Listen to an audiobook.
- Learn a few words in a new language.
- Visit a museum.
- Watch a documentary together.
- Learn photography.
- Identify constellations.
- Start a book club.
- Learn to play chess.
Memory Makers
- Create a summer bucket list poster.
- Make a photo album.
- Start a memory jar.
- Take one photo every day.
- Write postcards to grandparents.
- Make a family time capsule.
- Film a “day in my life” video.
- Create a summer playlist.
- Collect ticket stubs and souvenirs.
- Print your favorite summer photos.
Random Summer Fun
- Visit a farmers market.
- Feed ducks (where permitted).
- Watch fireworks.
- Have breakfast outside.
- Watch clouds and find shapes.
- Go berry picking.
- Visit an animal sanctuary.
- Volunteer together.
- Make a giant bubble solution.
- Plan one surprise adventure.
- Create your own “Best Summer Ever” challenge and see how many activities you can complete before school starts!
Why Summer Bucket Lists Are Great for Tweens
Tween girls are at such a fun age. They’re becoming more independent while still wanting quality time with family and friends. Having a summer bucket list encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps reduce screen time without making it feel like a chore.
Some of the best childhood memories aren’t expensive vacations—they’re the little moments like baking cookies, laughing during a water balloon fight, watching a sunset, or staying up late talking during a sleepover.
As moms, those are the moments we treasure too.
Make This Summer One to Remember
You don’t have to do all 101 activities. Pick a few each week and let your tween help choose what sounds the most fun. Better yet, print this list and let her check off each activity as she completes it.
Summer isn’t about having a perfectly planned schedule—it’s about making memories, laughing together, and soaking up this special season before another school year begins.
Here’s to sunshine, adventure, and a summer your tween will never forget!
