Summer Bucket List for Empty Nesters: 15 Ideas to Laugh, Love, and Reconnect

When our kids were little, summers felt magical—not because everything was perfect, but because we were intentional about making memories together. I loved being with my kids, and looked forward to having them home for long stretches of time. Each year, my kids and I would sit down and create a summer bucket list filled with simple joys: trips to the park, ice cream outings, sprinkler days in the backyard, slumber parties in the living room, late-night movies, and lazy days in our pajamas. It wasn’t about checking off every single thing—it was about making sure we prioritized quality time before the school year started again.

Now, the house is quieter. No more little shoes by the door or sticky popsicle fingers on the counter. These empty-nest summers feel a little more still... sometimes even a little lonely, if I’m honest.

But I keep reminding myself: an empty nest isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new one.

The truth is, it’s really easy in this season to fall into routines—filling our schedules with work, errands, and distractions—and forget to nurture the relationship that started it all: our marriage. Being intentional with our time together as a couple is just as important as it was when we were intentional as parents. It is how we rediscover each other, reconnect, and begin writing this next chapter hand-in-hand.

That’s why I put together this summer bucket list—not as another to-do list, but as a gentle invitation to laugh more, explore more, and create new memories together. I hope it sparks a little fun, a little adventure, and a deeper connection with the person who’s been by your side through it all.

Here’s to making this season one to remember.

An important note to make here, before we get started, is that these are suggestions. Have fun making them fit you as a couple. They can be added or subtracted to. It’s about putting intentional thought into your summer. Enjoy!

1. Have a retreat or hide away day. Have your favorite music playing in the background. Remember, it’s about connection, so make sure the music resonates with the both of you. Light a candle with a scent that brings back memories or meaning for you as a couple. Get a book, maybe you will want to read the same book and have discussions after a certain number of chapters, or maybe you will each want to read a book you just haven’t had the time to get to. Turn off the phones, and make sure there is no interruptions. This is a day to relax, side by side.

2. Plan a early morning or late evening date to watch the sun either rise or set. The sky’s the limit here (pun intended!). You can keep it simple—just sit on your balcony or porch holding hands—or you can bring along your favorite coffee, a cozy blanket, and a playlist you both love. Let it be peaceful, playful, or romantic—whatever feels like ‘you’.

3. Find a cute, cozy, new to you coffee shop! We live in middle Tennessee, and there’s no shortage of cute little coffee shops here—but wherever you are, take the time to explore someplace new. It’s a fun, inexpensive, and easy date. And if coffee’s not your thing, try a tea room or a bakery you’ve never visited.

4. Create a recipe from your childhood. You can make this two different dates where you take turns, or you can each create a recipe on the same night. Make sure you take the time to tell the story or memory that goes along with the dish—what it reminds you of, who made it for you, or why it stuck with you. At the end remember to eat it with a heart of gratefulness for the journey.

5. Host a laid-back back-yard party with friends. When my kids left, so did my reason for having “play dates.” Invite some of your old friends—chances are, they’re missing their kids too. Order pizza, have ice cream for dessert, and serve everything on disposable dishes. Simple, fun, and no cleanup stress required!

6. Remember what it was like to be a kid and visit an amusement park. Let’s be honest—those rides can be a little rough on our bodies these days. But go anyway. Go for the funnel cake, the fun environment, the shows, and walking around holding hands, talking about memories from your childhood. It’s not about the thrill rides—it’s about the fun of being together in a playful place.

7. Spend the day on the water. Rent a boat, go to the lake and fish, lay out on the beach, jump in your pool—whatever “water” looks like for you, and whatever your budget allows, your summer bucket list must include it. There’s something about sunshine and water that brings out our playful sides, no matter how old we are.

8. Go to a local farmer’s market and make dinner only from items you find at the market that day. You’ll have fun exploring the market, and it’s a creative adventure working together in the kitchen. Try something you’ve never cooked before—or maybe splurge on the fresh baked bread or the homemade pasta you wouldn’t normally buy. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s fun.

9. Participate in some self-care together. My husband and I love getting massages. It’s a special thing we do once in a while—especially after family reunions or long plane rides! It’s a great way to relax and recharge together. And when you do it as a couple, it eliminates any guilt and encourages each other to take care of your own needs. Another fun self-care idea: pedicures together. (Yes, guys can enjoy them too.)

10. Take the time to learn something new together. Summer is a great time to take a class outdoors or try something fresh. My husband and I recently signed up for a five-week golf lesson, and it’s been so fun watching him enjoy it—and even better getting to learn side by side. This idea is endless: photography, languages, pottery, painting, pickleball—tailor it to your personalities and how much time you realistically want to commit.

11. Take a summer trip, big or small. We’ve always been big travelers, and summer just seems to hold a little extra magic for exploring. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to an Airbnb on the beach, a full-blown vacation, or a simple road trip to a town you’ve never visited, summer is the perfect time to get out of your everyday routine. Traveling together gives you a chance to see new things, escape life’s realities—and often, see each other in a fresh way, too. The trip doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s about having fun and connecting, wherever you go.

12. Volunteer together for a summer project. One of my favorite things about volunteering with my husband is that I get to see this soft, giving, servant-hearted side of him that I sometimes take for granted in daily life. Summer often brings unique opportunities to serve—outdoor events, kids’ summer programs, food drives, or helping local nonprofits with special projects. Serving together not only blesses your community, but strengthens your relationship in beautiful, unexpected ways. Don’t overthink it—just show up, together, and watch how it brings you closer.

13. Write each other a letter. This is one of my favorite ideas on this list. Take some quiet time on your own to write a letter to your spouse, sharing what you love and appreciate about them now, in this season—not just who they were “back then.” Include your hopes for the future, for this new chapter of life. To make it fun, set a time when you’ll exchange the letters. Maybe you plan a picnic, grab dessert somewhere special, or go for an evening walk before swapping them. Whatever you do, make it meaningful. Let this be a moment to remember.

14. Attend a local festival. Festivals can be such a fun way to experience something new—and they vary so much depending on where you live. Here in Tennessee, a local festival could be anything from the CMAs to a blueberry festival on a local farm. Whatever it is, festivals are lively, full of great people-watching, and a wonderful way to support your community. Let yourselves get caught up in the fun of it—try the fried food, buy something silly from a vendor, or dance to the live music.

15. Recreate your first date (or something close to it). Recreating your first date might be a challenge if the restaurant doesn’t exist anymore or if some of the details have faded (hello, memory loss—I get it!). But the point isn’t a perfect recreation—it’s about capturing the spirit of it. Go somewhere new but dress up the way you might have for that first date. Talk about how nervous or excited you were, laugh about how far you’ve come, and enjoy creating a new memory that honors the one that started it all.

Seasons change, and life keeps moving forward, but that doesn’t mean the fun or the connection has to stop. In fact, this season of empty nesting might just be one of the richest yet—if we’re intentional about it. These bucket list ideas aren’t about being busy for the sake of busy—they’re about laughing together, dreaming together, and making sure we don’t forget what makes us work as a team.

Here’s to writing the next chapter with intention, curiosity, and love—one sweet summer memory at a time. Whether you check off one idea or all of them, I hope this summer brings you joy, adventure, and a little spark of that first-date excitement all over again.