Here's Your End of Summer Bucket List

Summer is just the best, with its laid-back, anything-goes mentality. No school means late nights for kids (whether parents like it or not!), and looser schedules mean more time to linger in the backyard playing the best outdoor games after an alfresco dinner under dreamy string lights. Those are just a couple of ways to while away those long summer days. Here, we've gathered a total of 24 unique, decidedly summer activities (a summer bucket list, if you will) to help you take full advantage of the good weather and good vibes of the season.

There are plenty of summer activities on this list that you might already do, like going to the farmer's market or making s'mores. But we've added some ideas that are likely new to you, like preserving those fresh farmer's market finds to enjoy all year round or volunteering in your community.

And although there are lots of things to do this summer near you, think about taking your summer show on the road with a camping, lake, or road trip. Once you've completed this totally enjoyable list of summer-themed activities, you can say so long to the season and, of course, see ya next year.!

Making popsicles in the summer is like baking cookies in the winter—something you have to do. Try using the season's freshest fruit for the ultimate flavor profile.

RELATED: 40 Homemade Popsicle Recipes

Whether you're 5 or 50, running through a sprinkler is just plain fun! And the best part? All you need is a hose and patch of grass to make this classic summertime activity a reality.

Spending the day surrounded by natural beauty is good for the soul, it's a fact. Browse your local botanical garden for fresh air and gardening inspiration galore. And if your city or town doesn't have one, a stroll through a park has the same affect. Bonus: Kids love it!

Skip that drive-through car wash! Pull out the garden hose, fill a bucket with sudsy water, and enlist some little helpers to get your ride squeaky clean. It's a great way to cool off from hot summer temps while being productive at the same time. Reward the car wash crew by taking your clean car on a spin to the ice cream shop!

Even if you have to borrow or rent it, a convertible is hands-down the most fun way to experience the open road. Whether for a day or a weekend (or longer if you're lucky!), consider a family road trip for a summer getaway.

It's a fact: Summer days are best spent in yogurt shops. What could be finer than free air-conditioning and an array of delicious toppings?

There's a reason every water park in the country has a "lazy river"—because floating a river is awesome. Whether you live near the Guadalupe in Texas, the Truckee in Nevada, or the Shenandoah in West Virginia, grab your tube and your cooler, and spend they day living by the motto "it's not the destination, it's the journey."

Channel your inner child and swap out the sedan for a cruiser of a different kind. The best way to enjoy a summer breeze is when you're footloose and fancy free, pedaling down a bike path. Our one suggestion: Swap out the flamingo float for a bike helmet.

Grab your hiking boots, a cozy tent, and all your camping gear and set out for an adventure in the great outdoors.

Make use of the pretty flowers you've grown in your yard all spring, or set out to a nearby flower farm to cut some fresh blooms. Once you're home, arrange them in a pretty Mason jar or a DIY flower arrangement.

Grab some skewers and get roasting! Use your marshmallows to make the classic treat or try another recipe like s'mores nachos or s'mores brownies.

Food just tastes better when you enjoy it outdoors.

RELATED: 88 Delightful Picnic Food Ideas

There's nothing better than an end-of-summer meal straight from the grill. Try out our best Southern barbecue recipes.

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Whether you're having brunch on a sailboat or wine tasting on a yacht, soak in the last bit of summer on a boat.

Enjoy your favorite film while embracing the warm weather and head to a drive-in or host a movie screening in your backyard.

Lobster rolls may be pricey, but they're definitely worth the splurge at least once this summer.

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Take a break from technology while getting a well-deserved dose of vitamin D.

Even if you don't travel very far, there's nothing like watching the sunset while surrounded by nature.

Give back to your community while enjoying the outdoors.

Even if it's just for one night, waking up in a new place is the ultimate indulgence following a busy week. Instead of visiting a B&B or hotel, try something a little quirkier, like a tiny house, a treehouse, or an Airstream.

RELATED: 7 Airstream Trailers You Can Rent for a Last-minute Summer Vacation

Get the freshest, in-season produce in your neck of the woods.

RELATED: 9 Ways to Shop Like a Pro at the Farmers' Market

When it's no longer at the farmers' market, you're going to wish you figured out how to preserve the freshness of your favorite summer fruit. Try this genius trick for freezing strawberries.

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Summer is the perfect season to hit the road and explore.

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Take a picture every time you cross something off of your bucket list. Then make a scrapbook with all of your summer memories.