Want to have the best summer ever but not sure where to start? Use our summer bucket list and fill this summer with some amazing activities. For each idea, we have put together multiple options so you can find one that works for your family.
From up in the air to down in the water, and everywhere in between, we have you covered.
Take your adventures this summer to new heights by checking off one of these flying high activities off the bucket list.
❏ Fly a kite
Catch a breeze and take the family out to fly kites. Centennial Park, Ellicott City, has free admission! There are several open areas perfect for kite flying. When your kids are tired of holding the string, there are excellent playgrounds, picnic pavilions and boats for rent.
Check out 5 more places to Fly a Kite!
❏ Hot Air Balloons
Go for a balloon ride and see the world from a different view at Delmarva Balloon Rides in Chester, or go to the Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival, July 30th, through August 1st in Cordova.
❏ Aerial Adventure Parks
Get up in the air on the ropes. Sandy Springs Adventure Park provides 15 trails in their aerial forest adventure for all levels. They also have a night time Glow Course that looks like an epic time for older kids and adults.
Fill summer with fun by filling your bellies with great food. Here are some ideas to do with some summertime food staples.
❏ Make your own Ice Cream or Popsicles
Get creative with this sweet treat. With endless combinations, find your inner Ben and Jerry’s. Check out the zombie popsicles molds we featured in our Favorite Summer Products.
❏ Eat crabs waterfront
A summer can’t pass by without enjoying a Maryland staple. Sit and relax by the water while enjoying some crabs at places like Stan & Joes in Galesville or Mike’s Restaurant and Crabhouse in Riva.
❏ Family Cooking Class
Expand your cooking skills and enjoy great food at a cooking class. Check out Taste Buds Kitchen for a cool cooking experience this summer for your kids or as a family.
Cool down and bring on the fun with activities that center around the water.
❏ Water Fight
Make your backyard the water war zone. Place super soakers, water balloons, or DIY Sponge Balls around different stations in your yard and let the brawl begin. Be sure to take before and after photos!
❏ Thrilling Water Slides
Make sure to add a little thrill to your water fun this summer at some of the best waterparks in the area. Chesapeake Beach Water Park and Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags provide fun for all types of thrill seekers.
❏ Pirate Ship Adventure
Explore the seas and find treasure on a pirate ship adventure. Chesapeake Pirates are sure to help your discover the fun while taking on some scallywags.
❏ Cruise the Chesapeake
See the Chesapeake Bay like you have never seen it before. Watermark in
Annapolis offers cruises from 40 minutes to full day excursions.
❏ Cool off at a Local Pool
Beat the heat at a local pool that have
more than your typical lap pool. Truxtun Park’s new pool and Splash Pad is sure to provide a day of fun in the sun.
It’s not always all work on a farm. Enjoy fresh produce and furry friends on the farm.
❏ Farmers Markets
Get amazing produce and products from local farmers at your farmer’s markets. Anne Arundel Farmer’s Market is open Saturday and Sunday through the summer.
Baltimore’s Farmer’s Market is well worth the trip to see all the vendors and hang around the hulahoopers.
❏ Farm Fun
Get up close and personal with farm animals. Wild Kid Acres in Edgewater give kids a chance to learn farm skills while having fun. Also, try Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA for a chance to cuddle with goats and play on some amazing and unique playgrounds.
❏ Farm Vacation
Looking for a more real experience? Plan your next vacation on the farm where you can lend a hand and give your family an
experience they will never forget. Verdant View Farm in Paradise, Pa is great place to enjoy the farm life and great food.
Star Gazing
Go far above and explore space with your family.
❏ Backyard Star Gazing
Star gaze in your backyard. Enjoy the stars on a clear night from your back porch. Don’t have a telescope? Download the Skyview Lite APP to find constellations with your smartphone.
❏ Star Gazing Hot Spots
Increase your star gazing power at places where light pollution is less of a problem. Shenandoah National Park and Sky Meadows State Park provide some of the best local spots to explore the stars.
❏ Planetariums
Learn more about the stars above at a planetarium. Maryland Science Center’s Davis Planetarium provides a variety of shows to explore space.
Embrace the outdoors for some memorable adventures, near or far.
❏ Backyard Camping
Don’t feel like going far? Make your backyard the campsite. Perks: bathroom is close by, plus if weather isn’t the best or
camping isn’t working out, move the crew back in the house. This is a great test run for your family before a real camping adventure.
❏ State Park Camping
State parks offer a wonderful camping
experience. Check out Breezy Point
Campground. Accommodating tents,
pop-ups and RVs, this campground features a half mile of sandy
beach, a playground, bath houses and a netted swimming.
❏ Glamping
If roughing it doesn’t appeal to you, take camping to the next level of comfort. Experience the wonderful world of glamping at Chincoteague Island KOA Resort. This KOA has plenty of beach cottages, but also offers 13 of what are the most Instagram-worthy accomodations in the region: Safari Tents.
❏ Canoe/Kayak
Get out on the water. Rent a kayak or
paddleboard at Quiet Waters and explore the South River.
Make play the focus of the day and find ways to be a kid again.
❏ Playground Hop
Using our Playground directory, plan
a playground hop to explore new
fun places. Pack a picnic and let the
kids burn off some of that energy.
Check out our Playground Hopping for playground hops to follow or some ideas on how to build your own.
❏ Ninja Obstacle Course
Take the play to the next level. A family day at an obstacle course like NinjaBe, is sure to bring out the smiles for everyone.
Build your own Obstacle Course at home.
❏ Amusement Park
Hit all the fun items on your list at an amusement park like Adventure Park USA. Ride roller coasters, race go karts and win at mini golf.
❏ Outdoor Theater
Catch a live performance outside. Annapolis Summer Garden Theater is presenting a musical revue for a few weeks in August.
❏ Drive-ins
Hop in the car and enjoy the movies
with this pastime tradition. Bengies Drive-in, in Middle River, gives your family a fun movie experience.
❏ Backyard Movie Time
Pull up a chair to watch a movie in your
backyard. Whether you use a projector
and a bed sheet or set up your tv and
firestick outside, just add popcorn and you can enjoy your favorite movie under the stars.
For a daily dose of summer fun, explore our 100 Days of Summer page or search our daily calendar of events.
