250 Inspiring Bucket List Ideas To Accomplish in Your Lifetime
Must-see places and challenging experiences to try.
No matter your age, most of us have ideas of things we would love to do in our lifetime. Some of those things could be basic goals and others might be a little more adventuresome or challenging. Instead of letting those thoughts or goals just ramble around in our brains, it's a good idea to formalize the ideas into a bucket list. That way, whether you want to learn a different language or hope to witness a blood moon, writing those bucket list ideas down will help you to get them accomplished.
It's first important to understand what a bucket list really is and what types of things you put on it. You may have some preconceived ideas about this, however, you'll be happy to find out a bucket list can consist of much more than just heart-stopping thrills that stare death in the face. Something as simple as reading a classic could be a challenging and rewarding experience for you.
If you find yourself staring at a blank piece of paper with no idea what to even consider as a goal, no worries! We have put together a whopping list of 250 bucket list ideas that you may want to consider for yourself.
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What Is a Bucket List?
A bucket list is a list that is made up of a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. These will usually consist of things that someone has never done before but hopes to do before they die. It's a way of keeping track of what is most important to you and identifying the milestones and experiences you hope to have.
What a bucket list is not, is a list of tasks. A chore or to-do list is a totally separate list.
How Do You Make a Bucket List?
There is no hard and set rule for what goes on a bucket list. In fact, each person's bucket list will probably be totally different than another person's. Some people are way over the top with adventure-seeking. They may include "scary" things like tightrope walking, which might make another person nauseous just thinking about it.
Many people think that a bucket list needs to contain only very remarkable accomplishments. However, any new experience that is important to you should be included on your bucket list. If it is a goal that you have before you die, then it is absolutely a bucket list item.
What Is Number One On Most People's Bucket Lists?
According to a survey done by YouGov, the number one item on most people's bucket lists is "getting healthier." In fact, 41% of adults surveyed came up with that response. Here is the list of the three most common responses within all age groups.
Get healthier/lose weight - 41%
Travel to an exotic location - 35%
Achieve a wealth goal - 29%
There were some slight variations in the top three between Gen Z'ers and Baby Boomers. Gen Z'ers had achieving wealth as number one, followed by getting healthier and then a tie with owning a home and getting married. Baby Boomers, on the other hand, responded with getting healthier as number one, followed by traveling and then changing someone's life for the better.
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Challenging Bucket List Ideas
Everyone likes a challenge. Once the challenge is accomplished, it feels so worthwhile and rewarding. Think of anything that interests you, even if it feels intimidating, and write those things down.
Run a marathon
Drive a race car
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Write a book
Learn to cook
Learn to bake
Try a DIY home project
Make your own wine
Brew your own beer
Learn kickboxing
Learn yoga
Get physically fit
Go ziplining
Create a video that goes viral
Try axe throwing
Learn archery
Learn to paddle board
Climb a mountain
Try ice climbing
Visit all 50 states
Get on a live tv show
Scuba diving
Ride a mechanical bull
Go kite surfing
Learn to rollerblade
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Thrilling Bucket List Ideas
If you love thrill and adventure, this section is full of ideas that will get your heart pumping.
Ride a rollercoaster
Go sky diving
Go parasailing
Go bungee jumping
Go water skiing
Go snow skiing
White water rafting
Take a hot air balloon ride
Ride in a helicopter
Go surfing
Ride a motorcycle
Drive a side by side
Ride a dirt bike
Go snowmobiling
Ride a horse
Explore a cave
Bike down a volcano
Visit the Grand Canyon
Rent a dune buggy
Swim in a hot spring
Attend the Olympics
Attend the Super Bowl
Travel on a train
Fly in a plane
See a waterfall
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Sporting Bucket List Ideas
Some of you may be hunting or sports enthusiasts. In that case, you may have specific goals for each category. Each specific goal can be its own bucket list item.
Moose hunting
Deep sea fishing
Deer hunting
Bear hunting
Duck hunting
Turkey hunting
Learn fly fishing
Fish the Great Lakes
Predator hunting
Learn to golf
Play a team sport
Go rock climbing
Take a float plane to a remote area
Play a game of paintball
Hunt for elk
Hunt an animal from another country
Play tennis
Play racquetball
Play pickleball
Play padel
Play volleyball
Play softball
Play baseball
Play soccer
Play football
Travel Bucket List Ideas
Most of us have some type of travel interest. There is no end to the travel goals that you might have. This section highlights some popular ideas that can lead to many more specifics or further destinations.
Go on an African safari
Go on an Alaskan cruise
Visit another country
Visit a tropical island
Visit all seven continents
Visit a rainforest
Go to an aquarium
Visit a science museum
Go to Hawaii
Stay on a yacht
Stay in a luxury hotel
Stay in a cabin
Sleep in a tent
Stay at a bed and breakfast
Visit a castle
Travel through the mountains
Visit the East Coast
Visit the West Coast
Visit Yellowstone National Park
Visit New York City
Visit Los Angelas
Travel in a riverboat
Take a taxi
Ride the Subway
Take a friendcation
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Popular Bucket List Ideas
We tend to all start with some common goals in life such as going to college or getting married. This is a good place to start when coming up with your own list.
Have fulfilling friendships
Go to college
Get married
Buy a house
Fall in love
Have a fulfilling career
Have kids
Retire early
Be your own boss
Start a garden
Find a church
Build a dream home
Buy a vacation home
Send kids to college
Volunteer somewhere
Accomplish a goal
Travel somewhere new
Learn photography
Attend a formal event
Ride bike trails
Meet a celebrity
Master a video game
Get paid to travel
Order room service
Play the stock market
Fun Bucket List Ideas
Do you like to have fun? Here are some things that you might enjoy trying.
Go sailing
Go snorkeling
Pan for gold
Go beachcombing
Go camping
Go canoeing
Go kayaking
Go wine tasting
Go boating
Swim with sea turtles
Swim with dolphins
Learn to ice skate
See the Northern Lights
View a rocket take off
Take an airboat to see alligators
Go to a concert
Go to symphony
Go to a play
Ride a skateboard
Ride an electric scooter
Ride in a limo
Do a flip on a trampoline
Bike down a volcano
Attend a rodeo
Ride in a horse and carriage
Bucket List Ideas For the Mind
Stay young with bucket list ideas that challenge your brain. Here is some food for thought to get you started.
Read a classic
Learn another language
Take a class
Learn an art
Learn to play an instrument
Play chess
Learn a new card game
Read the Bible in a year
Learn how to code
Learn how to drive a stick shift
Take up a new hobby
Learn to dance
Play sudoku
Put together a 1,000-piece puzzle
Memorize scripture
Learn to line dance
Learn calligraphy
Take singing lessons
Go to an art gallery
Read a biography
Learn history
Learn a new skill
Put together your family tree
See a ballet
See an opera
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Bucket List Ideas for Health
Some of these ideas for health-related goals may seem like New Year's resolutions. However, they are great to add to a bucket list as they will enrich your life.
Become physically fit
Eat healthy
Meditate
Reach your goal weight
Conquer a fear
Eat a new food
Go oyster hunting
Start an herb garden
Chop firewood
Join a book club
Be a mentor
Own a pet
Do a charity walk
Learn CPR
Make a positive change in someone's life
Start a charity
Visit a beach
Unplug for a week
Teach a class
Sponsor a child
Vote in an election
Write a poem
Write a song
Start a journal
Unique Bucket List Ideas
Have you ever thought of chasing a storm or sending a message in a bottle? Think outside the box a little as you are putting together your list.
Chase a storm
Own a piece of Tiffany's jewelry
Own investment real estate
Stay at an all-inclusive resort
Partake in a progressive dinner
Do the polar bear plunge
Own an original piece of artwork
Rope swing into the water
Send a message in a bottle
Start a blog
Whistle with two fingers
Bowl a strike
Dive off a high diving board
Fly a kite
Go ice fishing
Play badminton
Dye hair
Get a pedicure
Get a manicure
Take a mud bath
Have a house cleaner
Flip a house
Attend a pig roast
Drink expensive wine
Participate in a parade
Creative Bucket List Ideas
Creating something can be a rewarding challenge for most people. If you have any interest at all, you can easily take a class to learn just about anything.
Make a career out of a hobby
Build a sand castle
Learn pottery
Paint something
Make jewelry
Learn to sew
Learn to knit
Learn to crochet
Make stained glass
Learn woodworking
Start a collection
Invent something
Make a balloon animal
Make a model car
Act in a play
Learn glass blowing
Decoupage something
Design a website
Complete a cross-stitch piece
Tie-dye a T-shirt
Make a scrapbook
Make a candle
Learn origami
Make soap
Refinish a piece of furniture
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