The Introvert’s Ultimate Summer Bucket List

Summer is just around the corner, and with it are the invitations to barbecues, the intensity of summer concerts, or trips to bustling theme parks with the kids.

But what about the introvert?

For many introverts, summer offers the hope of something more tranquil and reflective. Many of the typical summer bucket list activities can feel overwhelming to introverts who recharge from solo activities. With that in mind, I created this summer bucket list specifically for introverts who want to have an unforgettable summer – without all the socializing!

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

The Introverts Ultimate Summer Bucket List

#1 – Make Your Own Summer Reading List

Highlight your summer with adventures of the literary variety! Choose some must-read books to accent your summer or challenge yourself to a specific goal (5 books for the summer or even 5 books per month!). Extra fun points if you read your book outside on a hammock or by a quiet pool or body of water!

Not sure what books to read? Check out the favorite books of each Myers-Briggs® personality type!

#2 – Stargaze

Reconnect with nature, reduce stress,  and spark your creativity by stargazing. This tranquil summer activity can spark inspirations, ideas, and reflections while relaxing your body. In fact, a Finnish study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology states that spending 15 minutes in nature can help you feel refreshed and lower cortisol levels. Just remember, you might need the bug spray as well!

#3 – Eat popsicles

If you’re the nostalgic type, you’ll love revisiting the refreshing chill of a popsicle during the summer months. You can even make your own popsicles if you want to try something creative and individualized to your preferences!

#4 – Start a Journal

Did you know that keeping a journal helps to relieve stress, improve your writing, boost your memory, and inspire creativity? Pick up a summer-themed journal and jot down all the inspirations, thoughts, and experiences you collect over the summer!

#5 – Create a Backyard Sanctuary

Pick a small corner of your yard to turn into your own beautiful haven. Plant flowers you love to look at and/or smell there, hang up a swing from a tree branch, and put out a little table covered in candles. Do whatever you can to make this small space a private retreat in the natural world! You can read there, meditate, or simply take a nap!

#6 – Make Your Own Bird Feeder

If you’re like me, you love to help out the feathered friends in your neighborhood. Give them a pleasant place to perch and snack in your backyard! Not sure how to make a bird feeder? Check out this page that has 13 ways to make your own!

#7 – Paint a Picture

I don’t care if you’re featured in a museum or stick figures are a challenge for you, paint something!! Painting is a great way to experiment with creative ideas, symbols, and reflections. It also strengthens your memory, relieves stress, and even improves critical thinking skills!

#8 – Camp in the Backyard

Enjoy the adventure, tranquility, and natural beauty of camping outside! You don’t have to travel far to have a fun camping experience. Get out the fire pit (if you have one), roast some marshmallows, and play some super-chill music while you watch the fireflies dance around you in the night.

#9 – Blow Bubbles

Hearken back to your childhood with this fun, low-cost activity. If you have kids this can also keep them entertained for a while without making you break a sweat! If you want to get extra artistic with your bubbles, get a giant bubble wand and make life-sized bubbles that will fill you with awe!

#10 – Visit a Local Library

Browse the shelves of your local library to find new literary escapes and possibilities! Libraries are quiet, air-conditioned, and filled to the brim with books you can take home free of charge. What more could an introvert ask for? If you don’t feel like leaving home, you can also check out books on Kindle Unlimited or with Overdrive (if you have a qualifying library card!)

#11 – Stop by a Farmer’s Market

Browse your local farmer’s market to find unique new flavors and smells! This also gives you the chance to support your local farmers, crafters, and bakers! Many farmers markets offer artisanal breads, raw milk, local honey, fresh fruit, veggies, or lush, fragrant bouquets!

#12 – Make a Summer Feel-Good Playlist

Are there any songs that make you feel the joy and excitement of summer? Make a playlist of all your favorites to listen to during car rides, road trips, or morning walks!

#13 – Have Your Own Summer Movie Marathon

Create your own customized summer playlist of meaningful movies. Here are just a few quintessential summer films you might enjoy!

• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
• I Know What You Did Last Summer
• Stand By Me
• How Stella Got Her Groove Back
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Adventureland
• The Notebook
• Now and Then
• Thelma and Louise
• Bend It Like Beckham
• Independence Day

You can find more summer movies for your marathon here!

#14 – Grown Your Own Herbs

Grow some aromatic herbs either inside or outside your home! It’s as simple as spending a few dollars at a local nursery or buying a pack of seeds for less than $1! Accent your pasta dishes, soups, salads, and more with these delicious herbs and have the pleasure of making something grow!

#15 – Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Nothing makes summer feel like more of a celebration than dancing to your favorite tunes! Turn on your summer playlist and dance around your room without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Dancing improves cardiovascular health, boosts your mood, enhances cognitive performance, and improves coordination and agility!

#16 – Spend Time in Nature

Henry David Thoreau said, “We can never have enough nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of inexhaustible vigor, vast and titanic features, the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying trees, the thunder-cloud, and the rain.” Getting outside this summer doesn’t have to mean crowded pool parties. Take some time to enjoy nature in solitude! Walk along the beach, take a hike up a pine-filled mountain, or merely sit in your backyard and gaze at the birds. Spending time doing this can reduce anger, fear, stress, and increase pleasant feelings. Being in nature can also reduce blood pressure and muscle tension!

#17 – Make (or Buy) an Ice Cream Sundae

Go on a grocery shopping spree and gather ingredients for the ultimate ice cream sundae! Pineapple, marshmallow crème, chocolate or caramel syrup, strawberries – the sky is the limit! Bring it all home, start up one of your favorite movies, and create an ice cream concoction that is totally your own. Or if you’re feeling less adventurous, just hit up a local ice cream shop for something chilly and delectable!

#18 – Fly a Kite

Kids aren’t the only ones who like to have fun! Take a kite out for a flight this summer to relive a joyful childhood experience. To make it extra exciting, fly your kite at a local beach (preferably a quiet one).

#19 – Have a Pajama Day

Schedule yourself a totally lazy day this summer and vow not to get out of your pajamas (unless it’s for a cozy, hot bubble bath). Watch your favorite movies, read a favorite book, drink hot tea, and lounge around without a care in the world!

#20 – Build an Epic Sandcastle

Think building sandcastles is only for kids? Think again! Test your sculpting abilities this summer and make a complex, stunning sandcastle. For inspiration check out these epic sandcastles!

#21 – Go to a Drive-In Movie

Want to enjoy popcorn and a film without facing crowds and congested screenings? Go to a drive-in movie to enjoy a summer blockbuster sans the people!

#22 – Bake Something with Berries

Summer is berry season, so take some time to appreciate these delectable superfoods! Make a blueberry cobber, strawberry shortcake, or some raspberry gelato! There are hundreds of mouth-watering berry recipes online to try out!

#23 – Grow a Plant

Plant sunflowers, daisies, or carnations this summer to add some color and fragrance to your yard! Or if you’re wanting something more edible, try planting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or squash! Gardening gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin D while boosting your mood, combating loneliness, and even decreasing your risk of dementia.

#24 – Watch the Sunrise

Get up early one summer morning to watch the beautiful pastel masterpiece of the sun rising. Doing this surrounds you with natural beauty while increasing your productivity, providing mental clarity, and giving you inspiration for your day.

#25 – Build a Puzzle

Turn on one of your favorite audiobooks (or some serene classical music) and conquer a challenging jigsaw puzzle! This can be a great way to unwind after a busy day. Plus building puzzles helps improve spatial reasoning, memory, problem-solving ability, productivity, and can even improve your IQ! See more benefits of building jigsaw puzzles here: 10 Surprising Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles.

#26 – Make Sand Art

Remember being a kid and pouring different colors of sand into a bottle and proudly showing your mom? Why not enjoy this same pastime again! You can create a beautiful piece of art for your home by dyeing your own sand and mixing it creatively.

#27 – Go Kayaking or Canoeing

Enjoy the great outdoors on a solo kayaking or canoeing trip, or bring one of your close friends! Kayaking or canoeing are low-impact ways to improve cardiovascular fitness and improve muscle tone! Plus they can be either calming or invigorating, depending on how you tailor your trip!

#28 – Go On a Solo Road Trip

Pack up your gear, fill up your gas tank, and embark on a solo adventure! Road trips are a great way to see the natural beauty of the world around you and hit up some out-of-the-way attractions. The time in the car gives you a chance to self-reflect, play your favorite tunes, and experience a deeper sense of inspiration and wonder in the world around you! For inspiration check out this list of 10 Solo Road Trips in the USA!

#29 – Draw with Sidewalk Chalk

Create a sidewalk or driveway masterpiece with an inexpensive pack of sidewalk chalk! This is a fun way to revisit your childhood while testing your expanding creative abilities!

#30 – Soak in a Bubble Bath

Enjoy a luxurious bubble bath this summer to reduce stress and improve your mood (or invite a better night’s sleep!). Surround your bathtub with candles, sprinkle in some bath salts, and play some soft music to improve the whole mood.

#31 – Help the Bees

Bee populations are on the decline, but you can do your part to improve their livelihood this summer! Plant some annuals in windowboxes, grow sunflowers, or plant some edible herbs like basil, lemon balm, or oregano to keep them coming back! You can also allow material from dead branches and logs to remain as nesting sites to utilize.

#32 – Order Pizza and Watch a Movie

When you need a relaxing night in, order pizza delivery and watch a favorite movie! This is a great way to decompress and have a little escape from the stressors of daily life.

#33 – Eat Watermelon

Nothing says summer like the juicy deliciousness of watermelon. This refreshing fruit is packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Magnesium! It also contains compounds that can prevent cancer, improve heart health, lower inflammation, and relieve muscle soreness! Find out more here: Top 9 Health Benefits of Eating Watermelon. Oh, and to make it more exciting, practice spitting the seeds as far as you can in the backyard 😉

#34 – Complete a Coloring Book

Turn on your summer playlist or a thrilling audiobook and complete an adult (or kids, who’s judging?) coloring book! Surprisingly, coloring in a coloring book reduces stress and anxiety, improves motor skills, and improves sleep and focus!

#35 – Take a Class

Get inspired and learn something new this summer by taking a class, either online or in-person! There are language-learning classes, cooking classes, animating classes, gardening classes – the sky is the limit!

#36 – Have a Picnic

Whether you picnic at a park, the beach, or even on your living room floor, picnics are a fun way to shake things up! Pack wine, cheese, and a favorite book to enjoy this idyllic summer experience.

#37 – Make Street Corn

Corn on the cob is one of those quintessential summer snacks that we all love. Test your culinary abilities by grilling some street corn this summer. I guarantee you’ll want to make this recipe more than once!

#38 – Unplug for 24 Hours

Take 24 hours to unplug from all things with screens. You’ll be surprised what you find to do when you’re not distracted by social media, candy crush, or the news! You might find a creative activity to enjoy, notice some natural wonders in your own backyard, or read that book you’ve been eyeing for weeks!

#39 – Read Poetry by Candlelight

In the dusky evening hours, what better way to enjoy the romance of summer than to read poetry by candlelight? For the best effect, read it outside where you can see the moon and be surrounded by fireflies (or mosquitos, but let’s be optimistic!)

#40 – Drink Herbal Tea

Concoct an herbal tea and enjoy sipping it while relaxing either inside or outside your home. Herbal teas have loads of health benefits and they can also reduce your stress levels and help you calm down after a strenuous day.

#41 – Go Barefoot Outside

Sometimes just being barefoot in the natural world can be comforting and refreshing. Feeling the ground beneath your feet can help you feel stable, connected to nature, and more in touch with your body and the physical world around you. Just don’t go barefoot in Wal-Mart, okay? I don’t trust those parking lots.

#42 – Do Yoga Outside

Enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors while improving your strength and flexibility this summer! If you’re a beginner to yoga (like I am) you can often find videos on Amazon Prime or even YouTube!

#43 – Climb a Tree

Test your strength and enjoy a new perspective on the world around you by climbing a tree! This summer activity is surprisingly challenging but rewarding. There’s something romantic and thrilling about nestling on a branch, looking through the leaves, and seeing the world from a higher view.

#44 – Go Fishing

Many introverts love the tranquil, idyllic experience of catch-and-release fishing. This calming outdoor activity is a great way to unwind after a busy week. It also improves your patience, concentration, and gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin D and fresh air!

#45 – Skip Rocks

Head to your nearest pond and test your rock-skipping abilities! It may seem like a silly activity, but it’s one of those quintessential outdoor challenges you have to try at least once in your life.

#46 – Get a Snow Cone

Refresh your senses with one of these chilly, summertime treats after a long, hot day. Tasting one of these is like traveling back in time to your childhood!

#47 – Learn a Brand New Skill

Want to learn 50 words in a new language? Want to learn to dance to one of your favorite songs? Maybe you want to learn how to play a new musical instrument! Pick a new skill and practice it for at least 10 minutes each day. You’d be surprised how much progress you can make!

#48 – Run Through a Sprinkler

There’s something deeply satisfying and refreshing about running through a sprinkler. You seriously never get too old for this! Or if you’re a mom and you need some time to catch up on your favorite book, set out a lawn chair and let your kids run through the sprinkler while you read!

#49 – Watch the Sunset

Wind down from a busy day by watching the sunset! Take some photos, listen to some music, and enjoy the satisfaction and gratitude that flows through you. No matter how much money you have or how old you are, anyone can enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of an orange sunset.

#50 – Improve Your Community

Volunteer your time and effort to make the world a better place. You don’t have to do anything drastic, although sometimes that’s a great idea! You can simply pick up trash at a local park or beach, donate items to a homeless shelter, or even volunteer to spend time with animals at your local animal shelter!

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you have any summer activities you absolutely love that aren’t on this list? Let us (and other readers) know in the comments!

Find out more about the introverted personality types in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!