Are you a graduating senior ready for the future? Will you be missing the people you grew closest to? Do you want to make your last summer most memorable? Well, lucky for you, Class of 2025, there are 25 activities, festivities, and hobbies for you to take on with either your friends or family, to ensure that your last summer as a high schooler will be unforgettable!
- Airbnb trip/senior trip
- Book a week or weekend-long trip out of the state with your friends or family! A quick getaway from home with the best people in your life. This could be either out of the country to Asia, Europe, or the Caribbean, or someplace closer like California, Oregon, or Canada!
- Vacation
- Plan a vacation with your family or some close friends out of the country while you’re still young and free! Some popular vacation destinations are Hawaii, Cancun, Las Vegas, Japan, New York, and many more. I’d recommend getting a summer job and looking for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and planning an itinerary now!
- Lakehouse
- Rent out or stay at a friend’s lake house for a few days to experience freedom, the sun, and crisp water with no stress on your shoulders. By looking on the Airbnb website, you can access many potential houses in Olympia, Mt. Rainier, and Hoodsports.
- Boat days
- If you have a family member or friend who owns a boat, or money to rent one, now’s the best time to take advantage of the Washington lakes while you still can! Stay out all day on the water, swim, paddleboard, and tube without the fear of sharks getting to you! For someplace local, try Lake Washington, but if you’re willing to visit new places like Baker Lake or Lake Chelan.
- Beach trips
- Go explore the PNW coast, set up tents, or rent out a house to enjoy the ocean and wind. Other than water, your group can host bonfire nights, play beach volleyball, or visit a local country club for some pickleball. For some adventure and memories, try Ocean Shores, or a beautiful scenic place, try Kalaloch Campground, where you can visit Ruby Beach during the day.
- Scrapbook making
- A cheaper alternative to an eventful summer can be making a scrapbook from the whole year! This could be a way to record all the events from this year, or a plan to record future memories. Either take pictures and print them out at your local drugstore, or use Polaroid pictures and tape them with Washi tape. This is the perfect time to check out Joanns cheap deals for binders, papers, stickers, flowers, and other decorations to use.
- Dorm shopping
- If you’re a senior attending college, but not sure how to start your transition, the summer is the perfect time to start packing and dorm shopping at local malls like Southcenter, Bellevue Square, or University Village! Check out freshman tips for college and dorm essentials on TikTok.
- Camping
- Spend 3 days out in the wilderness, connect with nature, and bond with your friends and family. Plan out food, have late night talks, swim in the lake, and it can’t be complete without roasting s’mores over the campfire. Some of the best places are Denny Creek Campground, Beckler River Campground, and Scenic Beach Campgrounds.
- Outdoor movies/drive-in movies
- Many new movies and shows are coming out, like Lilo and Stitch, Superman, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Ginny and Georgia, Squid Game, and Ironheart. So what better way to host a movie marathon than attending drive-in movies like Marymoor Park and Blue Fox, or a cheaper alternative, host one in your backyard!
- Make a summer bucket list
- If you have some goals for yourself this summer, write them down on a poster summer bucket list! Get your friends, markers, and ideas ready to check off for this summer, and make sure to check out Pinterest for some ideas.
- Rollerblading/skating
- Put on your kneepads and neon clothes because it’s time to go roller skating! This can be done at arenas like Southgate and El Centro, or out at parks or city streets like Barbie and Ken. Not only will you get good exercise, but also a good view and a nice tan.
- Trampoline sleepover
- Your washing machines need to be ready for this one because you’ll need a bunch of blankets, pillows, and your trampoline to host a friend’s sleepover under the stars! Provide snacks, food, and drinks so you don’t go starving, but projectors, cards, and board games for entertainment!
- Amusement parks (Silverwood/Wild Waves)
- Looking for some thrill this summer? Go visit an amusement park close by, like Wild Waves or Silverwood (located in Idaho). They both have water parks and amusement parks for a great experience of roller coasters and a cooling sensation. Make sure to check their websites as tickets will go on sale soon.
- Road Trips
- If you have a car, gas, snacks, and a GPS system, get on the freeway and see where the wind takes you! Go visit different cities and spend days with your friends and family on the road, experiencing new places. Whether it’s traveling up North to an outlet mall, or to the East for some camping and wilderness fun, you’ll be sure to have a time of your life.
- Game works/arcade night/bowling/golf
- Nothing is better than a classic night out with friends playing arcade games, bowling, or mini golf! The best places for this are Game Works, Family Fun Center, or Top Golf, and for those who like the nighttime fun, these places open late and have food provided!
- All nighter (karaoke, baking, games, etc)
- You should start cleaning your house if you are planning to host a night with your friends with karaoke, baking, and games for something calm yet eventful! Try blind karaoke, or the “Blind, Deaf, Mute” baking challenge with your friends, it’ll sure keep you up all night, it’ll be a night you won’t forget.
- Graduation pictures in front of your college
- If you didn’t get a chance to take senior photos, what’s a better way to make up for it than graduation pictures? Clip the accomplishments you’ve gained all 4 years, bonus points for having it in front of your attending college! Photographers don’t need to be crazy expensive either, since digital cameras are trending now, grab your sibling or mom to help.
- Bonfire/campfire
- For some nighttime events, go out to the beach and get a bonfire going while you roast hot dogs or marshmallows, talk with your friends, and bundle up in cozy hoodies and blankets. If you stay up late enough, you might even be able to see the sunrise.
- Nighttime bike rides
- Making your summer the best it can be doesn’t need to be crazy or out of the ordinary. Even a late-night bike ride with your friends under the stars will not only make great memories, but also a good workout; ride where the wind takes you.
- Pottery making/paint pottery
- Calling all creative minds, go visit a pottery shop to paint or even sculpt your pottery! It’s calming and fun. Places like Studio 2 You and Creatively Yours Bellevue are some local places that will bring in a memorable time.
- Water Balloon/water gun fights
- Go to Costco and buy the jumbo bulk size water balloons and water guns to use at the park. Bring your friends and some water for a cooling day out in the sun. Whether it’s in your backyard or at Coulon Beach Park, no way is better to cool off this hot summer with some water!
- Go on hikes/see a waterfall
- Want to get some exercise for your summer body? Go take a hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as these are the peak times for weather, and bonus points if there is a waterfall to see at the top. Popular places are PooPoo Point Trailhead and Rattlesnake Ledge, they even have lakes to swim in after.
- Visit new cities
- Either get a plane ticket or a car to visit cities you haven’t yet seen. These can be in Washington, like Vashon Island or Bainbridge, but if you’re feeling adventurous, go out to different countries like Mexico and Canada, both are not too far but will get the job done.
- Learn to paddleboard/surfboard
- Paddleboarding has gotten more popular these days, so now there is an excuse to buy one and learn on the water! If you’re out by the ocean or on vacation, learn to surf from local surf shops by the beach!
- Go fishing
- Want to unleash your inner child? Go find a friend with a boat or even take a seat at the dock, as you’ll spend quite a few hours fishing and chatting. Make sure to get a fishing license, and to have fun, fishing doesn’t need to be so serious. And if you’re lucky enough, perhaps you’ll have something good for dinner tonight!
You have two months to spend this summer school free, so take advantage of the time you have and complete as many of these 25 activities! Hopefully, you’ll be able to add a handful of these ideas to add to your bucket list! Open to the class of 2025 and students of all classes!
