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Summer bucket lists are a great way to keep kids busy and entertained, but what’s even better? A SERVICE summer bucket list for kids! This is a creative way to get kids thinking about, and helping others. If you haven’t read our post on why service is EXTREMELY important for youth, then check it out HERE.
Kids can get so bored in the summertime, so what greater way to keep them busy, than to serve others? After learning all of these summer bucket list ideas, you are going to be a pro at keeping your children engaged, and feeling fulfilled this summer.
You are going to learn tons of ideas on how to get your children serving others in the neighborhood, in the community, and at home. Print out this free printable HERE, hang it on the fridge, and let them go at it. There are so many simple ideas they can do on their own, and others that might need your help to organize. Also, check out THIS adorable journal for your kids to keep track of their service this summer. Let’s serve!
This post is all about a service summer bucket list for kids.
1. Mow the grass for elderly neighbors
This is a great way to serve someone who has a difficult time mowing their own lawn, or someone who is recovering from a surgery, or an illness.
2. Build a neighborhood library shelf or organize a book swap
If your neighborhood doesn’t have a library shelf yet, this is such a fun way to share books with others in the neighborhood. Just let everyone know that if they take a book, they must replace it with another book. This allows everyone to share their books with everyone else.
3. Start a parade for someone
Set up a neighborhood bike parade where all the kids decorate their bikes and then follow a designated parade route for the neighbors. We did a bike parade on my street one time and set up cones, so the kids just went around and around the cones. They loved dressing up and decorating their bikes, and the neighbors enjoyed watching and socializing.
4. Pull a neighbors’ weeds
This is a simple way to help out a neighbor. Grab some gloves, and a garbage bag, and pull weeds for a few minutes.
5. Bake cookies and deliver to a lonely neighbor
Who doesn’t love to bake cookies? Take some to a neighbor who is lonely, or going through a difficult time, or a friend you haven’t seen in awhile.
6. Go on a walk around the neighborhood and pick up trash
Grab some plastic gloves, and a garbage bag, and walk around the neighbor picking up trash. Invite some friends to go with you, and have some fun!
7. Visit and sing songs with the elderly and widows
Prepare a fun son, and go knock on an elderly’s door and start singing! They are sure to love it.
8. Volunteer to watch a neighbor’s house when they go out of town
If you know any neighbors who are going out of town, ask if there is anything you can do to help at their home. Could they use help with watering plants, walking a dog, feeding a pet, or getting their mail?
9. Walk the neighborhood dogs or let them out during the day while their owners are at work
Are the neighbors at work? Ask if you can walk their dog, while no one is home.
10. Visit with an elderly
Go knock on an elderly’s door and ask if they would like a visit. Simple as that!
11. Take meals to new moms
Is there anyone in your neighborhood that just had a baby? Ask them if you can bring them a meal.
12. Babysit for neighbors
If you are old enough to babysit, ask your neighbors if you are able to babysit for them.
13. Take a meal or treat to someone who is sick
Do you know of a neighbor who is sick? Bring them a meal or a treat.
14. Bring someone breakfast in bed
Get up early and make a simple breakfast for someone in your family, and serve it to them in bed.
15. Heart attack someone’s door
Cut out a bunch of hearts, or stars, or any fun shape, and secretly tape them to someone’s door. You can write nice messages on the hearts. Or click on the images below to a free printable.
16. Paint rocks and leave them around the neighborhood
If you’ve got paint, go out and find some rocks, or grab one of these kits below. Write some nice messages on them and leave them around the neighborhood.
17. Make paper flowers and give them to neighbors
Here is a cute paper flower kit you can grab, and make some flowers to deliver to someone and brighten their day.
18. Side walk chalk someone’s driveway
Grab some sidewalk chalk and secretly leave kind messages and fun pictures on your neighbor’s driveway and sidewalks.
19. Invite friends over to roast marshmallows
You may not think of it as a service, but inviting people over to socialize is a great service. People want to be included and feel important.
20. Go on a hike and pick up any trash that you see
Again, grab some gloves and a garbage bag and go for a hike, while picking up any trash that you might see. It’s a great service and a good way to spend time in nature.
21. Go to your local park and pick up any trash
One again, grab some gloves and a garbage bag and go to a local park and pick up any trash that you see there.
22. Go through your clothes, books, and toys and donate items you don’t need
This is a great way to declutter your home, while donating to a good cause.
23. Draw pictures for a local nursing home
Go to a local nursing home and bring them some pictures that you drew. You can also play games with the residents, just visit, or have a spa day. Bring some nail polish.
24. Make no-sew blankets, or stuffed animals for a local hospital
There are some simple sewing projects on-line that you could order and create, with the intent to give to someone else.
25. Write thank you cards for first responders
These cards would be so fun to make for someone. There is a scratch-off area, where you can write a personal note underneath.
26. Write letters to service men and women
Write a letter to someone serving in the military.
27. Walk dogs at a local animal shelter
Head over to your local animal shelter and ask if there is anything you can volunteer to do there.
28. Make birthday cards for foster kids
Contact a local foster home and ask if you can deliver homemade birthday cards to them.
29. Plant a garden, and share with friends
Plant a garden, and then teach someone else how to do it as well.
30. Donate cans to the food pantry
Gather some food cans and deliver to your local food pantry.
31. Go to a local park and hand out otter pops or water bottles
Head to your local park with otter pops and water bottles and hand them out to the children. Make sure and ask their parents first.
32. Invite someone new to play with you
Call someone new and invite them to play with you.
33. Hold the door open for someone
34. Smile at someone
35. Compliment Someone
36. Pick wildflowers for someone
37. Organize a spa day at your home
A spa day can be as simple as painting nails, or add a face mask and/or hair mask, and don’t forget the cucumbers for your eyes. Invite someone over, or do it for your family.
38. Make a poster for someone
This can be a thank you poster, get well, have a good day, happy birthday, a happy holiday poster, or really ANY poster!
39. Make a craft to give to someone
Make a fun and simple craft for your neighbors and deliver it to them. My kids love making things out of perler beads and delivering them to neighbors. What a simple, yet great thing to add to any summer bucket list for kids.
40. Make up a dance with friends and perform for family
41. Learn the sign language alphabet
42. Wash the car
43. Write a story
Write a story, featuring a friend/neighbor as the hero and then read them the story after it’s done.
44. Invite friends over for a picnic
45. Draw an obstacle course on your sidewalk for anyone to use
A couple of years ago, our neighbor made a huge obstacle course on their sidewalk for anyone to use, and we had so much fun jumping, running, crab walking, spiraling, and walking backwards, on their obstacle course.
46. Make friendship bracelets for your friends
47. Plan dinner for the family
48. Organize a game night for the family
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is one of our family’s favorite games. You can play with a ton of people, and each round is only a few minutes long, so it’s a quick game, with a lot of laughing. Each person draws a card to see which character they will be. The idea of the game is to find out who the werewolves are and vote them off, but be aware, because somebody may have switched your cards around!
49. Feed the ducks
Did you know that bread is apparently not good for ducks’ stomachs? Instead, feed them instant oatmeal, peas, corn, lettuce, bird seed, or pellets.
50. Make a birdfeeder
A birdfeeder would be a fun craft to hang in your yard, or to give to a neighbor to hang in their yard. It is also a fun little service for the birds!
There are so many unique ways that kids can serve others this summer, and this summer bucket list for kids is sure to get their creative juices flowing. Most of these ideas only take a few minutes to plan, but can make a big difference in someone else’s life. Keep your kids busy this summer, but also help them to develop a sense of purpose as they serve others in their neighborhood or community. Let’s serve!
This post was all about a service summer bucket list for kids, and how to keep your kids feeling engaged and fulfilled this summer.