What is on your bucket list?
These bucket list ideas are not only beautifully inspiring, but also creative. And they will give you all the encouragement you need to expand your horizons. Dream a little bigger friend!
Bucket List Meaning
But first, what is a bucket list? It is a list of all the ideas you want to do before you die. Because, here’s the thing, you only get ONE shot at this life. Why not live it to the max? Why not use your energy to do things that excite and invigorate you?
Categories to Consider:
(NOTE: travel is at the end on purpose. Yes, aspire to travel to amazing places. But challenge yourself to take the other categories to heart as well.)
Contents
Simple Bucket List Ideas Before You Die
First, these bucket list examples are easier to do and build momentum.
See your favorite singer in concert
Ride a subway
Ride a train
Go to a play
Visit a local dinner theater
Attend a music festival
Go to the symphony
Have a white Christmas
Take photos underwater
Take photos of a changing season in nature
Jump off a diving board
Ride in a taxi
Ride in a boat
Dance in the rain
Get a live Christmas tree (or cut down your own)
Spend your birthday in an unforgettable place
Go to a rooftop bar with live music
Experience a piano bar
Visit a jazz or blues bar
Bowl a strike
Get some laughs at a comedy club or event
Dress up for Halloween
Take a personality test
Sing karaoke with a friend
Sit front row at an event that means the world to you
Watch a 3D movie
Go to a drive-in movie
Jump in a pool with your clothes on
Go camping for a week
Read an excellent book, then watch its movie
Challenge & Learning Activities
These bucket list ideas will test your limits and help you grow.
Set a world record
Run a 5k
Run a 10k
Run a 1/2 or full marathon
Complete a full triathlon
Learn to fly
Learn to play the piano
Learn to play the guitar
Learn a second (or third) language
Complete a reading challenge
Learn chess
Learn Karate
Learn Ju Jitsu
Attend a personal development conference
Give a keynote speech
Do the Polar Bear Plunge
Visit every baseball (soccer, football, etc.) stadium in America
Go to every national park in America
Learn archery
Learn to shoot a gun
Take a self-defense class (and know how to defend yourself)
Read a book a week
Learn CPR
Learn the Heimlich Manuever
Learn how to cook
Learn how to budget
Perfect an excellent poker face
Learn to take amazing photos
Learn to knit or sew
Learn how to properly use chopsticks
Learn how to change a tire
Learn how to meditate
Learn how to speak well in front of a crowd
Learn to code
Learn how to blow glass
Learn to juggle
Learn to drive a stick shift
Learn to skateboard
Learn to walk on stilts
Learn how to meal plan (and do it consistently)
Get a bachelor’s degree
Get a master’s degree
Get a PhD
Swim in all four major oceans
Learn to make your own (beer, wine, soap, etc.)
Make a candle
Get Lasik eye surgery
Invest in braces or Invisalign
Related Challenge Posts:
- Challenge: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
- Fun Couples Challenge Ideas
Meaningful Bucket List Examples
These are the most feel-good ideas for your list.
Fall in love
Start a family
Create a family tradition you love
Have the health and energy to play with your grandchildren
Start a charity or foundation
Give a large sum of money to a cause you believe in
Write a thank you note to someone who has inspired you
Plant a tree
Rescue an animal
Adopt a child
Send a care package to someone
- like this care package for new moms, or 12 days of Christmas gift
Help someone else with their bucket list
Loan money through Kiva.org or Acumen
Leave a $100 tip
Give blood
Volunteer in a soup kitchen
Donate coats the kids grow out of
Vote in an election
Go on a mission for church
Host a foreign exchange student
Buy someone a full meal or groceries
Become an organ donor
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Throw someone a surprise party
Mentor someone who needs it
Pay for someone behind you in line
Donate your hair
Forgive someone you need to forgive
Re-connect with an old friend
Give away your favorite book to 5 friends
Leave love notes for your kids
Self Care & Beauty Bucket List Ideas
The activities on this list are fun, but also remind you to take great care of yourself.
Get a professional massage
Have a spa day (get the whole works!)
Get a blowout
Write a love note to yourself (or do a self love challenge)
Try acupuncture
Get fitted for a bra (then buy a nice one)
Meditate regularly (read a mindfulness book to help!)
Download a meditation app
Do a digital or social media detox for an entire week
Go to a meditation retreat
Attend a wellness weekend
Spend an afternoon in a hammock
Go to a yoga retreat
Keep a regular gratitude journal
Invest in luxury bed sheets
Say daily loving affirmations
Try eyebrow threading
Try a bikini wax
Indulge in a regular Self Care Sunday
Create a consistent self care routine
Find a swimsuit you LOVE
Find a little black dress you LOVE
Learn Transcendental meditation
Try cupping therapy
Try Cyrotherapy (or cold showers)
Do a girls weekend with your friends, sister, or mom
Take yourself on a date
Relax in a mud bath
Get a professional pedicure
Get up early for “me time” every day
Nail down the perfect morning routine
Nail down your best night routine
Related Wellness Posts:
- Try the Free Self Care Bingo
Health Ideas for Your Bucket List
Next, these examples for adults will take your health to the next level.
Maintain your ideal weight
Eat a salad every day (or most days)
Eat a vegetable with every dinner
Ride an electric bike
Try a tandem bike
Try a SoulCycle class
Try a Zumba class
Try hot yoga
Take a kickboxing class
Give up an addiction (to sugar, caffeine, stress eating, etc.)
Create a consistent exercise routine
Walk 10,000 steps a day
Only drink water for 5 days straight
Hold a 90-second plank
Do 25 pushups
Complete a bike ride of ______ miles
Complete a marathon with someone (by each doing separate miles)
Invest in a gym membership or at-home workouts like Peloton
Do a Glow Up Challenge
Find a healthy copycat to an indulgent restaurant favorite
Go vegetarian (or Paleo, Keto, etc.)
Go vegan
Cook all your meals for two weeks
Floss every night
Wear face sunscreen every day
Stop eating after dinner
Try a 30 day health challenge for a specific health habit you want to improve
Creative Adventure Bucket List Ideas
Now, it’s time to shake off routine and experience life!
Go hang gliding
Go ziplining
Ride a horse
Hike a mountain
Swim with dolphins
Sail a boat
Go paintballing
Climb a volcano
Go cave exploring
Go canoeing
Go kayaking
Dip your toes in a natural spring
Go scuba diving
Go snorkeling
Go snowboarding
Learn to ski
Learn to surf
Ride in a hot air balloon
Ride a super scary roller coaster
See a whale while whale-watching
Have a beach bonfire
Go whitewater rafting
Drive a race car
Ride on a motorcycle
Participate in an axe-throwing competition
Do a color run
Do a bubble run
Go on vacation ___ (# of times) a year or for ___ (#) amount of weeks per year
Climb a rock wall
See a famous ballet
Go to a World Series Game
Go to the Superbowl
Go to a famous aquarium
Go to a famous planetarium
Win a bet at the horse races
Play cards at a famous casino
Ride a segway
Go fly fishing
Ride bikes through a city
Stay in a houseboat for a night
Tour a haunted house (See Halloween Bucket list ideas)
Study abroad
Jump off a cliff
Go bungee jumping
Go skydiving
Go indoor skydiving
Ride on a jet ski
Go mountain biking
Go water tubing
Go water skiing
Go geocaching
Pet an elephant (or another exotic animal)
Do a body shot
Ride a mechanical bull
Go parasailing
Go body surfing
Ride in a helicopter
Go rollerblading
Food & Drink Inspiration
Food unites and energizes us, so why not try something crazy for your bucket list ideas.
Create your signature cocktail
Create a Starbucks copycat drink
Learn to make mom’s famous recipe
Learn to cook a chicken
Learn to properly taste wine
Find an all-time favorite wine
Tour a distillery
Do a real tea testing
Try New York-style pizza (or Chicago-style)
Eat lobster from Maine
Find your favorite sushi place
Bake a pie from scratch
Eat gelato in Italy
Participate in a progressive dinner
Try sake
Find a food truck you adore
Eat oysters
Eat caviar
Eat roasted pig at a Luau
Eat fancy fondue
Make homemade ice cream
Try sashimi
Try truffles
Eat dandelions
Make a killer _______ (paella, chocolate cake, etc.)
Eat escargot
Try frog legs
Eat alligator
Eat octopus (or squid)
Try a real authentic gumbo
Eat kimchi
Try kombucha
Drink a martini
Order a drink in an ice bar
Try English fish & chips
Taste chocolate of the highest quality
Eat a beautiful French pastry
Eat fish that you catch yourself
Try food from _______. (A dish from a country you’ve never eaten)
Do a tasting at a chili cookoff
Eat dinner at the best restaurant in town
Drink out of a coconut
Find out which is the best cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory
Eat at a farm-to-table restaurant
Check out my favorite bucket list ideas in the video!
Then, read on for so many more examples!
Cozy At-Home Bucket List Ideas
Now, make your living space a dream home you love.
Live in your dream home
Make your bedroom an oasis
Create a cozy reading corner
Add a piece of beauty to every room (artwork, plants, stunning photography)
Have the cutest (and yet practical) coffee or tea station
Get fresh flowers every week for your kitchen
Build a home library
Plant a garden
Add a fountain to your home
Create an inspiring in-home office
Create your coffee table photobook
Paint a piece of art for your home
Get rid of all your junk mail
Purge your home to only include things you love or are useful
Related Post: Things to Do on a Rainy Day (or otherwise stuck inside)
Career & Wealth Inspiration
The following items pertain to a financial life based on abundance, purpose, and freedom.
Become a leader (or expert) in your field
Retire early
Own your own business
Invest in a rental property (or 10)
Invest in (or buy) a vacation home
Buy your dream house
Buy your dream car
Hire a housecleaner
Earn 6 figures
Write a book (or write a NY Times Best Seller)
Get published
Write a children’s book
Fly first class
Find a mentor
Earn $_____ per year
Receive an award for your work
Create a passive income
Have an emergency fund
Find work you love
Make a will
Flip a house
Save for kids’ college
Save for kids’ weddings
Have a (near) 800 credit score
Max out your IRA
Start a scholarship fund
Be debt-free (or no debt besides a house)
Be a self-made millionaire
Complete a spending freeze (for a week or month)
Ride in a private jet
Teach a class or workshop about your field
Relationship Bucket List Ideas
Host a regular game night
Create a family motto or mission statement (make a flag too!)
Make a secret handshake with someone
See something that you’ll remember for a lifetime (a natural landmark, monument, etc.)
Renew your wedding vows
Complete a 1,000-piece puzzle with someone you love
Create your family cookbook
Wear matching T-shirts with your friends
Create a tradition that’s unique to your family or friends
Have a dance-off
See a drive-in movie with someone you love
*Find many more:
- Family bucket list ideas
- Couples bucket list ideas
Unique Bucket List Examples
These ideas are a little bit crazy or unusual, but also a whole lot of awesome.
Go to the Olympics
Dye your hair a crazy color
Get a tattoo
Name a star
Get a DNA test done
Witness a solar eclipse
Attend a gala
Attend an art gallery opening
Go skinny dipping
Haggle in a market
Become an extra in a movie
Get on a reality TV show
Be featured in an article or magazine
Go to a book signing of your favorite author
Attend a Renaissance festival
Watch a space shuttle launch
Attend a car show
Go to a rodeo
Be a contestant on a game show
Get into a live studio audience spot
Take a pole dancing class
Meet Oprah (or another amazing person)
Watch a meteor shower
Ride on top of a double-decker tour bus
Get a caricature drawing done
Go on a big shopping spree
See a complete sunrise
See a complete sunset
Attend a murder mystery dinner
Meet the President
Get a palm reading done
Make something good enough to sell
Try a paint and wine class
Go off the grid completely for a week
Go on an electric car road trip across the country
Find a 4 leaf clover
Get ordained
Finish a crossword
Sleep in an overnight train
Ride in a tractor
Stand at the crossroads of two separate states
See a Cirque de Soleil show
Get an autograph from someone you admire
Attend a Kentucky Derby
Watch a Wimbledon championship match
Attend a PGA golf tournament
See the US Air Force Thunderbirds
Attend a live TED TALK
Buy the ingredients for an entire meal at a farmer’s market
Eat an entire meal based on what came out of your garden
Play matchmaker
Write a poem or song
Try a gummy
Smoke a hookah
Get hypnotized
Win a “best ugly sweater” award
Go to ComicCon
Be inside a submarine
Walk inside an igloo
Have a cool wine collection/cellar
Have a spice night (wreath night, craft night, etc.) with friends
Related Posts:
- Vision Board Quotes to Inspire
Fun Travel Bucket List Ideas
Next, find incredible bucket list ideas for places to visit and vacations.
Set eyes on the Northern Lights, Iceland
Experience Hogwarts at Universal Studios, Florida
Take the kids to Disney World, Florida
Go to a Broadway show in New York
Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Experience the Taj Mahal, India
Walk along the Great Wall, China
View Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Go to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York
Attend the International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico
See the Eiffel Tower, Paris
Attend a bullfight in Spain
See Buckingham Palace, London, England
Lay on the beach in San Diego
Visit Denali National Park in Alaska
See Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru
Visit the Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza) in Yucatan, Mexico
See the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Listen to live music in Austin, Texas
See the world’s most beautiful Tulip garden in Amsterdam
Explore Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
Experience the natural beauty of New Zealand
See the Redwood trees in California
Go to Vancouver, Canada
Visit Glacier National Park, Montana
Hit the casinos in Los Vegas, Nevada
Go to the islands of Santorini, Greece
Go to Cape Town, South Africa
See the ruins of Petra, Jordan
Take a walking tour of Charleston, South Carolina
Enjoy the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Go to Bali, Indonesia
See the colorful domes in Moscow, Russia
Wander along the coasts of Ireland
Walk the Red District in Amsterdam
See a tango in Argentina
Sit next to the Nile River in Cairo Egypt
Visit the elephant sanctuary in Thailand
Explore Hawaii
Check out the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas
See the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
Ride a gondola in Venice, Italy
Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Participate in Mardis Gras, New Orleans
See the breathtaking mountains in Switzerland
Set eyes on Niagara Falls, New York
Visit the White House in Washington D.C.
See Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park
Drive up the Pacific Coast Highway in California
Partake in a large wine tour of Napa Valley, California
Visit the Space Center in Houston Texas
See the Roman ruins in Croatia
See at least one coral reef
Go on a spontaneous road trip for a week
Go on an international cruise
Stay at a luxury 5-star resort
Attend a professional European soccer game
Go on a Caribbean cruise
Now, Get Started!
What are your top 10 bucket list items? What bucket list ideas are you going to check off FIRST?! And what can you cross off this week? I’d love to know!
More Epic Bucket List Ideas from HHI…
(All seasonal bucket lists include one for kids & a separate one for adults)
- The Spring Bucket Lists
- Best Summer Bucket Lists
- The Ultimate Fall Bucket List
- The #1 Winter Bucket List
- Dreamy Holiday Bucket List