Bucket List Ideas: 50 Things To Consider for Your Bucket List

There is something about bucket lists that makes me feel excited and adventurous. Over the years I have made countless bucket lists, from things to do in the fall to weight loss goals I want to achieve in my weight loss journey. 

One simple search on Pinterest will take you down a rabbit hole of countless amounts of lists and ideas to put on your list. We also have a few bucket list posts here on GenTwenty. Today I’m combining all the different bucket list categories into one Ultimate Bucket List.  Add them all or choose a few to add to your own bucket list. Let’s get started!

Bucket List Ideas: What To Add To Your Bucket List

Seasonal

Different seasons have different activities associated with it. Many of these activities make great bucket list items. 

1. Spring: Start a garden – Where you live will determine the scale of your garden, but even just a few herbs or vegetables in your window sill would work here.
2. Spring: Gather your tribe and go wine tasting – With a little research and planning, this will make for a great day out with the girls.
3. Spring: Buy yourself the flowers, you deserve it – This is for you if you’ve never bought yourself flowers before.
4. Summer: Go to a water park – Nothing says summer more than a trip to an amusement park, especially when it happens to be a water park.
5. Summer: Go to a music festival – If you love live music this is a must, or so I’ve been told. This is on my personal bucket list and I can’t wait to experience this.
6. Summer: Go on a hike that leads to a waterfall – If you are not a fan of hiking, think of how beautiful it will be once you can see the waterfall. The pictures are what have me convinced that this is an adventure I want to take.
7. Fall: Have a fall photoshoot – I love a fun photoshoot, especially during fall. There are so many options for scenery during this time of year. Jump in a pile of leaves or go pumpkin picking, it all makes for great photos. If you’ve never done a fall photoshoot I’d definitely recommend it.
8. Fall: Go pumpkin/apple picking – This makes for a great day out with friends and/or family.
9. Fall: Host a Halloween themed movie night –This is for all the scary, horror movie fanatics.
10. Winter: Make Christmas cookies to give to neighbors/friends/family – ‘Tis the season for baking and giving, this activity accomplishes both of those.
11. Winter: Find a Christmas Light tour/town near you and go see the lights – There is something magical about Christmas lights. Instead of going for a drive hoping to see decorated houses, do some research to see if there are any neighborhoods in your area that have over-the-top lights and decorations.
12. Winter: Make someone’s Christmas memorable by giving back to those in need – Whether you donate your services by volunteering at a food bank, or your money by picking a child or elder off of an angel tree, you are making an impact.

Finances

While this category may not be the most fun part of a bucket list, it’s definitely an important one that shouldn’t be ignored. I’ve got many of these on my personal bucket list.

1. Pay off student loans – I think this speaks for itself. student loan debt is something a lot of struggle with. How amazing will that feeling of knowing they are all paid off feel?
2. Become debt-free – Student loans may not be your only source of debt. Our goal here is to live life with zero debt.
3. Buy a car with all cash – It is possible! Especially if you don’t buy a new car.  
4. Do a money saving challenge – If you need an idea for this one check out this post for a GenTwenty challenge you can do.
5. Start planning for retirement – This may be something you haven’t thought much about, I’ve definitely been guilty of this, but now is the time to start. We at GenTwenty have a lot of information to get you started.
6. Have your own side-hustle – Whether you start a blog, deliver groceries, or become a freelancer, they all are a great way to get some extra income.
7. Have an emergency fund – This is so important! I can’t tell you how many times I have needed this in the past. Emergency funds will help you stress less when things like an unexpected car problem, a hospital bill, or house repairs come up. 
8. Pay it forward in a big way – I’ve always loved watching videos and hearing stories of people paying it forward in big ways. This is something I aspire to do regularly in the future.
9. Do a no-spend challenge – If you’ve never done one before, or even if you have, put this on your list. You will learn a lot about your spending habits.

Travel

This category is probably one of the top categories that come to mind when you hear the phrase “bucket list.” There are so many beautiful places in this world, so why wouldn’t we all want to go explore. Don’t be afraid to dream big in this category.

1. Travel to New York City during the holiday season – Three words: Huge Christmas Tree.
2. Visit a place in the US that you’ve always wanted to go to – There are so many places that come to mind for me here. Where would you like to visit?
3. Go abroad and visit a country you’ve dreamed of going to – If you are reading this post when it is published this isn’t the best idea to do right now, however, you can start planning future travel plans.
4. Take a cross-country road trip – This would be fun to do with a group of friends, or maybe even as a family vacation.
5. If you don’t live near family take a trip to go visit them – Most of my family is close by, or within a few hours, but I know that isn’t the case for others. If you haven’t seen your family in a while plan a trip to go see them.
6. Pick a random place to travel to –Throw a dart at the map or write down some places to pick out of a bowl, you get the idea. 
7. Go to Disney World – Please tell me that I’m not the only 26 year old who hasn’t been, but desperately wants to go, to Disney World. The fact that this is still on my bucket list makes me sad. This Disney-loving girl is ready to experience Disney World.
8. Visit your old school – Whether it is your old high school or college, it’s a good trip to take. You’ll relive some memories and get to see what all has changed since you left.
9. Plan a trip with old friends – There is nothing like making new memories with old friends. Especially the kind of friends that you can pick up right where you left off regardless of how much time has past.

Misc.

In this hodgepodge of bucket list ideas you’ll find themes like career development, adventure, health, etc. These may not have a specific category all to their own, but they are still big bucket list items!

1. Run a (5k,10k,marathon) – There are races for almost everything these days. Find a fun race that gets you excited, or a race that benefits a cause you care about.
2. Earn a certification – Expanding your skills and leveling up in your career will give you a sense of accomplishment. It will also get you closer to completing some of those financial items on your bucket list. 
3. Do something exciting & adventurous like ziplining, skydiving, or bungee jumping – If you are an adrenaline junkie this will probably be at the top of your bucket list.
4. Get a tattoo – If you are into tattoos, or have always wanted one, this is for you. I’ve never gotten a tattoo but I do want a couple. That is if I’m brave enough to go through the pain.
5. Get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to – I love an excuse to dress up. Why not go the extra mile and make it memorable?
6. Start something you tried to pick up in the past – For me this is handlettering. What is a skill or a hobby you’d like to pick up again?
7. Plan a sunrise/sunset hike – I’ve always wanted to experience those breathtaking views of a sunrise or sunset that you see in photos for myself. 
8. Swim with a dolphin – Or you can insert whatever wild animal you’d like to meet. 
9. Go snorkeling – By now you can see I’m a sucker for pretty views. So, naturally snorkeling would make it onto my bucket list.
10. Try the diet you’ve been reading about (keto, Whole 30, etc.) – If you’ve been curious about diets like keto and whole 30, why not try it (as long as you clear it with your doctor and do your research)?
11. Learn how to play an instrument – If you haven’t touched an instrument since grade school music class, this is for you. I’ve personally wanted to learn either the piano or guitar. 
12. Write a “to be read when” letter to yourself – I did this a few years ago and have it hidden somewhere in my room. This is a letter to your future self. Think of it as a personal time capsule. You can choose whatever time frame you want, five years, ten years, maybe even thirty years, you decide.
13. Find out your family history – Spend some time talking to your parents and grandparents or go to a service like Ancestry 
14. Go see, or be in, a game show – A game show I’ve always wanted to be on is Family Feud, what about you?
15. Have a full spa day – I’ve never been to the spa but one day I want to go and have the full experience. I want the facial, mud bath, all of it. Until then I’ll settle for at home spa nights.
16. Go to a class reunion – It’s hard to believe we are at the age of high school reunions, but here we are. Many of you reading this have most likely had, or will soon be having your ten year reunion. If you haven’t yet, make plans to attend when the time comes.
17. Get a pen pal – If you like writing, and making new friends, this should be on your bucket list.
18. Buy front row tickets to a concert – I’ve been front row to some concerts at my college. Ever since then I want to feel that experience again.
19. Attend a live sporting event – If you have a favorite sports team, going to see a live game would be a great addition to your list.
20. Complete a workout challenge – Do something that physically challenges you. What I like about doing a workout challenge is that, by the end of it, you are able to see how much stronger you have become. I love doing Love Sweat Fitness challenges.

With that our Ultimate Bucket List is now complete. If you’ve never made a bucket list before, read back over these ideas. Are there any particular ideas that you find yourself getting excited about? These are the ones to add to your first bucket list.

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Next Steps

So often we make these lists in the moment, then tuck that list away and eventually forget about it. Let’s all agree that we are not going to do that this time, okay? 

After you’ve made your list pick the top five or so ideas that you feel you can check off first. Once you have your choices make a plan for how you are going to go through with it. Here is my game plan to give you an idea. 

Bucket list items I want to accomplish the last half of the year:

1. Go on a hike that leads to a waterfall.
2. Do a no-spend challenge.
3. Visit a place in the US that you’ve always wanted to go to.
4. Earn a certification.
5. Get a tattoo.

Action plan to complete these bucket list activities:

1. To start this I am going to research trails and waterfalls around my area. Then I will make plans with friends or family to go there.
2. I need to do a monthly overview of my budget and any events, holidays, etc. that are going on. Once that is done I can determine when is the best time to do a no spend challenge
3. This one I will have to play by ear, at the time I am writing this, to see how the coronavirus affects any travel plans. If everything is clear to go I will need to determine where to go, who to go with, and when to take the trip.
4. I’m actually already in the middle of this one. To complete the certification I will need to set aside some time each week to get it done.
5. The first step to this is to decide what I want and where I want it. Then I will research what the best place near me to get my tattoo.

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Hopefully this gives you an idea of what to put on your bucket list, and how to create a game plan to make these activities happen. We would love to know what is on your bucket list. Use the hashtag #gentwentybucketlist so we can see what you are checking off.

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