The Ultimate Bestie Bucket List: Fun Things to Do With Your Friends This Summer

Friendship, joy, screen-free fun.

Hey lovely! School’s out, the sun is shining, and you’ve got a whole summer ahead of you—hello, freedom! But after the first week of sleeping in, eating popsicles, and scrolling through your phone, you might start to wonder: what now?

If you’re ready for a summer packed with laughter, adventure, and memories you’ll never forget, it’s time to grab your squad and start checking off the Ultimate Bestie Bucket List, your go-to guide for friendship, joy, and totally screen-free fun. Because honestly? The best moments aren’t the ones you post online, they’re the ones you live in real life.

Why Screen-Free Fun Rocks

Let’s be real: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, they’re all fun. But sometimes, the most magical memories happen when you put your phone down and look up. When you’re making friendship bracelets, telling stories under the stars, or laughing so hard your cheeks hurt, you’re not just passing time, you’re building your own highlight reel. So this summer, make a promise to yourself to collect more moments, not likes.

Our Hey Doll! Promise

At Hey Doll!, we believe in the power of friendship and self-care. We’re all about confidence, kindness, and girl power. That’s why we put together this epic bestie checklist—so you and your friends can grow, glow, and make this the best summer ever. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

The Ultimate Bestie Bucket List

Print this out, stick it on your wall, or write it in your Hey Doll! journal. Every time you do one, check it off, snap a pic for your scrapbook (or your memories!), and most importantly, have fun!

1. Picnic in the Park

Pack your favorite snacks, a cozy blanket, and your besties. Find a shady spot at your local park, lay back, and soak up the sun. Pro tip: Make it a themed picnic (like “pink food only” or “fancy tea party”) for extra giggles.

2. Friendship Bracelet Swap

Get out your beads and string, and design bracelets for each other. The only rule? Everyone has to wear the bracelet they’re given all summer long! It’s a little piece of your crew, wherever you go.

3. Vision Board Night

Dream big together! Grab old magazines, scissors, and glue, and make vision boards of everything you want to do, see, and become this year. Bonus: add glitter, stickers, and your favorite quotes for a board that’s so you.

4. Snack Challenge

Think you can make the ultimate ice cream sundae? Set up a snack challenge! Each friend brings a mystery ingredient, and you have to use them all. Taste test each creation and vote for the winner.

5. Compliment Circle

Sit in a circle, and go around giving each friend a genuine compliment. You’ll be surprised how good it feels, inside and out! Want an extra challenge? Write them down so you can read them whenever you need a pick-me-up.

6. Movie Marathon (No Phones Allowed!)

Pick a series or theme, like “girl power classics” or “Disney favorites,” pop some popcorn, and watch together. The only rule: phones go in a basket until the credits roll!

7. DIY Spa Day

Face masks, nail polish, cucumber slices, the works. Turn your living room into a spa and pamper yourselves. Remember: self-care isn’t just for grown-ups.

8. Summer Scrapbook

Start a summer scrapbook together. Collect ticket stubs, polaroids, dried flowers, inside jokes, and more. By September, you’ll have a masterpiece of memories.

9. Water Balloon Battle

When the sun’s blazing, nothing beats a water balloon fight. Split into teams, set up a “safe zone,” and get ready to laugh (and get soaked!).

10. Book Club for Two (or More!)

Pick a book to read together. Meet up to chat about your favorite parts, wild theories, or what you’d do if you were the main character. Not sure where to start? Check out our Hey Doll! favorites like “Smile” or “Blended.”

11. Karaoke Night

Set up a “stage” (aka, your living room), cue up your favorite songs, and let it rip. Whether you’re a superstar or just having fun, it’s all about cheering each other on.

12. Themed Dress-Up Day

Pick a theme, decades, colors, characters, and dress up! Take silly photos, make a runway, or have a fashion show.

13. Sunrise or Sunset Watch

Set your alarm early (or stay up a little late), grab snacks, and find the perfect spot to watch the sky change colors with your besties by your side.

14. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of things to find, like a feather, a heart-shaped rock, or a four-leaf clover, and race to see who can collect them all first.

15. Cook-Off Challenge

Pick a recipe and cook it together! Whether it’s pancakes, pizza, or cupcakes, the fun is in the making (and the tasting).

16. Kindness Mission

Do something kind for someone else, leave uplifting notes around your neighborhood, bake cookies for your neighbors, or donate old toys and clothes.

17. Dream Wall

Paint, chalk, or sticky-note a wall or poster with dreams and goals for the summer. Big or small, they all count!

18. Backyard Campout

Pitch a tent, bring flashlights, tell ghost stories, and toast marshmallows—even if you’re only a few feet from your kitchen.

19. Memory Jar

Decorate a jar, and every time something awesome happens, write it on a slip of paper and add it in. At the end of summer, open the jar and relive all the best moments.

20. The Compliment Chain

Start a chain reaction, give a compliment to someone, and challenge them to pass it on. You never know how far your kindness will spread.

Why Friendship Matters

Here’s the truth: Friends are the family you choose. They’re the ones who celebrate your wins, pick you up when you fall, and make every day a little brighter. Studies even show that having good friends helps you feel happier, healthier, and more confident. So, when you spend time building real-life memories, you’re not just having fun, you’re growing your heart and your happiness.

At Hey Doll!, we believe a girl with a good friend can change the world, or at least her own. That’s why so many of our self-care boxes for girls include items you can share, swap, or enjoy together, from books to DIY crafts. Friendship is a superpower, and you’ve got it!

Tips for the Best Summer Ever

1. Try New Things:Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Try a new recipe. Learn a new game. The best memories come from unexpected adventures.

2. Take Turns Picking:Let everyone in your friend group pick an activity from the bucket list so everyone gets a chance to do what they love.

3. Unplug Together:Set a “no phone” rule during certain activities. You’ll be amazed how much more you connect when you’re not distracted by screens.

4. Be Kind, To Yourself and Others:Not every day will go perfectly, and that’s okay. The goal is to have fun, not to make everything Instagram-perfect.

5. Keep a Journal:Jot down your favorite memories, funny moments, or new things you learned. You’ll love looking back on them later.

Printable Bestie Bucket List

(You can copy this into your journal or print it out!)

The Ultimate Bestie Bucket List:

Picnic in the Park

Friendship Bracelet Swap

Vision Board Night

Snack Challenge

Compliment Circle

Movie Marathon (No Phones)

DIY Spa Day

Summer Scrapbook

Water Balloon Battle

Book Club for Two (or More!)

Karaoke Night

Themed Dress-Up Day

Sunrise or Sunset Watch

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Cook-Off Challenge

Kindness Mission

Dream Wall

Backyard Campout

Memory Jar

Compliment Chain

More Than Just Activities

Every item on this list is about more than just passing the time, t’s about building confidence, having fun, and making memories that last. Whether you’re chilling with your closest friends or inviting someone new to join in, you’re making the world a little kinder, one laugh at a time.

And remember: You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go somewhere fancy to have the ultimate summer. Some of the best days are the simplest ones, when you’re just being yourself with the people who love you most.

Need a Little Extra?

Looking for something special to jumpstart your bucket list? At Hey Doll!, we create curated self-care boxes for girls 10 to 15 packed with goodies for friendship, creativity, and confidence. From journals and books to crafts and treats, every box is designed to help you shine, inside and out. Whether you’re looking for the best subscription box for tween girls or a unique birthday gift idea for your BFF, we’ve got you covered.

Your Summer, Your Story

This is your summer, make it legendary. Get silly, get creative, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Ask your friends to join you, or invite someone who might be looking for a friend. Most of all, have fun and be kind to yourself. You deserve it.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your besties, print out your bucket list, and get started. The ultimate summer adventure is just a check mark away. And remember, stories can change your life, but the best ones are the ones you write together.

With sunshine and friendship,The Hey Doll! Team #Heydollstrong

PS: Have an idea for the bucket list? Share it with us! We love hearing about your adventures and cheering you on. Here’s to summer, friendship, and all the memories to come!