Looking for bucket list ideas and inspiration? Well this article might just be able to help with those! Below are 234 bucket list ideas with a range of categories to help you find what ideas would best suit your bucket list.
- What is a bucket list?
- Why should you have a bucket list?
- Popular bucket list ideas
- Unusual bucket list ideas
- Crazy bucket list ideas
- Bucket list ideas before you die
- Easy bucket list ideas
- Bucket list ideas that are free (or cheap)
- Bucket list ideas for summer
- Bucket list ideas for couples
- Bucket list ideas for teens
- Bucket list ideas with friends
- Bucket list ideas for retirement
- Bucket list ideas- further reading
What is a bucket list?
Before writing your bucket list you’ll probably want to know what a bucket list actually is. A bucket list is essentially an activity or experience that you would like to have and/ or do at some point in your lifetime. Bucket list ideas often include visiting certain destinations and experiences outside of your day-to-day activities.
Why should you have a bucket list?
There are many reasons why people choose to write a bucket list, these reasons can be personal or simply because, why not? One of the most popular reasons, however, is to help provide the owner with a sense of achievement and ensure they’ve made the most out of their lives. A bucket list could help to motivate you to step outside of your comfort zone and give you a sense of adventure and fulfilment. Keep reading for some intriguing ideas that might suit your bucket list.
Popular bucket list ideas
Here are some of the most popular bucket list ideas that might just appeal to you too. You’ll find some great examples of adventures and experiences that are definitely worth adding to your bucket list, and I’ve made sure to include some of my favourites too!
- Skydiving
- Visit the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Learn a new language
- Experience New Zealand’s Fjords
- Visit the most southern point in the UK, Lizard Point
- Swim with dolphins
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
- Visit the Taj Mahal, India
- Enjoy the Disneyland Parks
- Swim in the Maldives crystal clear water
- Visit Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day
- Get tickets to the Olympics
- Visit every continent
- See the Mona Lisa
- Christmas shopping in New York
- Get a henna tattoo in India
- See the Northern Lights
- Ride on the Orient Express
- Walk on the Great Wall of China
- Explore the Amazon Rainforest
- Experience the Aurora Borealis in Norway
- Discover the Forbidden City
- Learn to drive
- Start your own business
- Go backpacking, or flashpacking, in Europe
Unusual bucket list ideas
Below are some of the more unusual ideas for your bucket list, with a wide range of interesting and fascinating ideas that you might not have heard of before. So don’t forget to consider stepping outside your comfort zone and include some of these unusual bucket list ideas.
- Catch fireflies on a boat in Bohol
- Apply to be an extra in a movie
- Sleep on a floating bed in Canada
- Camp at a sand dune
- Swim with fish
- Get a fish pedicure
- Try eFoil surfing
- Spend the night in an igloo
- Make origami in Japan
- Try Cosplay
- Parachute with your dog
- Stay in a cabin on top of a mountain
- Rope swing into a cave pool
- Stay in an underwater hotel
- Jump in a pool fully clothed
- Go volcano boarding in Nicaragua
- Try indoor skydiving
- Watch a film in another language
- Get a sun tattoo
- Enjoy drinks at an ice bar
Crazy bucket list ideas
Would you consider yourself to be a thrill seeker? Well, you’ll probably find this section most intriguing. Here, I would like to show you some of the more ‘crazy’ bucket list ideas that are sure to get your heart racing. It’s important to consider a range of experiences and activities in your bucket list to help ensure you’re getting the most out of it.
- Climb Mount Everest and/or Mount Kilimanjaro
- Climb a Volcano
- Ride the Gelmerbahn in Switzerland
- Enjoy dinner in the sky
- Experience the cliff walk in China
- Swim with sharks
- Go skinny dipping
- Dare to experience the Cage of Death in Australia
- Hold a tarantula
- Attempt the Sydney Harbor Bridge climb
- Fly a Helicopter
- Complete the City Climb in NYC
- Skinny dip
- Get a tattoo
- Ride the fastest and/or tallest rollercoaster
- Hold an alligator
- Walk on glass
- Attempt an extreme sport
- Train in fire eating
- Go on a mud marathon
- Hold a falcon
- Attempt an Escape Room
- Dive in the Great Blue Hole, Belize
- Try Flyboarding
- Have a snake around your neck
- Meet the President of the US or Prime Minister of the UK
- Go rock climbing
- Book a last-minute holiday
- Try surviving a night or two in the wild
- Go bungee-jumping
- Skydive from a hot air balloon
- Visit a nude beach
- Try paragliding
- Ride the longest zipline in the world
- Take part in the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling contest
- Drive a Jet Ski
Bucket list ideas before you die
Here are some of the top ideas for your bucket list! Many of these ideas are accessible throughout your life, with a range of activities and experiences to suit everyone, no matter your age or ability. These are ideas that are a must before you die, so be certain to include some of these ideas in your bucket list.
- Visit all the world capitals
- Dine alone
- Visit all 50 states in the USA
- Do a charity walk
- Explore Petra’s ‘lost city’
- Learn how to play a musical instrument
- Helicopter ride over Central Park, NYC
- Visit all 7 continents of the world
- Experience Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
- Take the Eurostar from the UK to France
- Collect one of each currency
- Witness bioluminescent water
- Ride a rollercoaster
- Go on the Biokovo Skywalk in Croatia
- Experience the cliff walk in China
- Fly in a private jet
- Admire the Statue of Liberty
- Climb the Stairway to Heaven
- Visit all the national parks in your country, or in the world!
- Research your family history
- Try to conquer your biggest fear
- Visit every country on one continent
- Pay for something for a stranger
- Win an award
- Stay in a hotel of all ratings 1-5 stars
- Organise a fundraiser
- Witness the Salmon Run
- Become a travel influencer
- Explore Route 66 in the USA
- Learn to ride a bike
- Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Attempt wingsuiting in Switzerland
- Book a holiday with a surprise destination
- See the Easter Island Statues
- Compete in rally racing in Australia
- Search for the Loch Ness monster in Scotland
- Touch Antarctica
Easy bucket list ideas
Unlike my previous list, below are some of the easier options that you might be interested in. These ideas are perfect for adding more accessible goals to your bucket list, but are also ideal for those who would prefer a more relaxed bucket list.
- Volunteer somewhere new
- Start an experiences journal
- Go camping
- Learn how to use chopsticks
- Try leg painting
- Create a travel mood board
- Have a photoshoot
- Order room service
- Have a turndown service
- Make a time capsule
- Make a family travel collage
- Go on a Staycation
Bucket list ideas that are free (or cheap)
Looking for a bucket list on a budget? Look no further as the following are some great bucket list ideas that are totally free or super cheap. These ideas are great for those looking for a cheaper bucket list or maybe even sticking to a budget, such as students.
- Go stargazing
- Start a podcast
- Start a YouTube channel
- Get Ordained
- Try sledding
- Read a new book
- Experience a religion
- Milk a cow
- Get lost, then find your way home without any technology
- Build a campfire
- Write a song
- Go on a hike
- Create your own world record
- Dance in the rain
- Donate your old clothes
- Learn sign language
- Go to the cinema alone
- Try being a tourist in your own city/town
- Make a flower bracelet
- Donate blood
- Become an organ donor
- Sing karaoke
Bucket list ideas for summer
What better time to tick ideas off your bucket list than in the summer. For this category, I have researched some bucket list ideas that are best suited to the summer, helping you to enjoy the sun whilst making memories! Whether at home or abroad, there are multiple fascinating bucket list options for you to enjoy during the summer. Continue reading to find out more.
- Walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
- Relax on the black sandy beach in California
- See Japan’s cherry blossoms
- Try surfing
- Go fruit picking
- Clear water kayaking
- Plant a tree
- Enjoy a teahouse trek
- Take part in the Tour de France
- Go to a beer festival
- Go scuba diving
- Swim in one of Canadas many lakes
- Go whale watching
- Bath in the Dead Sea
- Enjoy a picnic in the park
Bucket list ideas for couples
A bucket list doesn’t have to only be for yourself. Why not write a joint bucket list with your significant other? I have included below some of the best bucket list options for couples, from romance to adventure, there’s a range of bucket list ideas to help bring you and your other half closer together.
- Romantic boat ride on the Grand Canal, Venice
- Experience a sunrise and sunset in Africa
- Book a secret holiday for your other half
- Go oyster harvesting
- Get married
- Visit a Christmas market
- Enjoy a meditation retreat
- Ride a camel in the desert
- Stay in Giraffe Manor
- Go grape treading
- Go glamping
- Write vows
- Fly in a hot air balloon
- Enjoy some French cuisine under the Eiffel Tower
- Name a star after each other
- have kids
- Go on multiple honeymoons
Bucket list ideas for teens
There is no real right or wrong age to start a bucket list, therefore, I believe it’s important that I researched and included some bucket list examples which appeal to a variety of age groups. For this section, I would like to show you some great examples of bucket list ideas that would appeal to teenage viewers. There really is something for everyone!
- Go Paintballing
- Attend a ball
- Meet your favourite singer
- Go trampolining
- Tie-dye a shirt
- Go 24 hours without internet
- Get a degree
- Go sandboarding
- Have a water balloon fight
- Become an exchange student
- Host an exchange student in your home
- Start a travel blog
- Try paddle boarding
- Try horse riding
- Learn how to cook
- Take a gap year to travel
- Climb a tree
Bucket list ideas with friends
Why spend your life ticking off bucket list ideas alone when you can do it with your friends. You could choose to separate your bucket list into sections, for example, with some ideas to complete on your own, some with your significant other, and others with your friends.
- Go on a safari
- Try snorkeling
- Get tickets to a festival
- Go crazy golfing
- Picnic on the beach
- Visit Thorpe Park for Fright Night
- Host a pool party
- Go down a rainbow slide
- Visit the Uluru rock in Australia
- Trampoline sleepover
- Go on a shopping spree
- Experience Thermal Baths in Budapest
- Get a matching piercing
- Book a trip to Las Vegas and experience their famous casinos
- Explore a cities hidden gems
- Host an international cuisine night, everyone brings a different food
Bucket list ideas for retirement
As I mentioned previously, bucket lists aren’t limited to any age and can be suitable for anyone, no matter their age. Hence, I felt it was important to include some options that would be accessible for an older demographic, such as those in retirement. Keep reading to find out some great bucket list ideas for when you’re older, or maybe some recommendations for your grandparent’s bucket list.
- Publish a travel book
- Fly First Class
- Go to Wimbledon
- Afternoon Tea at the Ritz
- Enjoy Michelin Star food
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
- Sponsor people or animals in need
- Create a photo calendar
- Go wine tasting
- Take a pottery class
- Move abroad and/ or purchase a home overseas
- Donate to a charity every month
- Make a scrapbook
- Take an authentic art class
- Discover a family recipe, new or existing
- Get a Post Pal
- Experience a Broadway Musical
Bucket list ideas- further reading
If you enjoyed this article on bucket list ideas I am sure that you will love these too-
- 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
- 21 Types of Tourists Around The World
- 75 Quotes About Vacation To Get You Excited For Travel + Vacation Captions For Instagram
- Which countries are in the European Union? + interesting facts!
By the way- do you have any other bucket list ideas to add? Leave them in the comments below!