A 90s Analog Summer Bucket List
Put your phone down and get outside! I don't want to see you back home til the streetlights are on!
When I was a kid, back when the internet was in its infancy, before social media feeds or algorithms or short-form video content existed in the general public consciousness, I spent hours and hours by myself, whiling away the days during many a Midwestern summer break.
I made crafts, I painted, I ran around in the sprinkler outside, I rode my bike, I attended summer camps, I ate popsicles in the hammock until my mouth had a giant red ring around it. But mostly, I read. Voraciously, constantly.
Now, of course, I spent time inside. I watched cartoons and later, Disney Channel originals and MTV music videos. I talked to my friends on the phone. I stayed up way past my bedtime watching reruns of sit-coms I was too young to really understand.
But still. Most of my childhood was lived off of screens. I either made my own fun, or I sat there, bored.
There’s been a lot of chatter online this year about analog living, and while some of it certainly borders on performative, I think it stems from a communal exhaustion surrounding screens, algorithms, social media, and the inescapable constant background hum of information.
So I wanted to share a bucket list full of nostalgic summer fun, no screens required. Whether you’re looking for date night ideas, solo adventures, or stuff to do with your kids, I’ve got you covered.
Have a bonfire.
I love sitting around a bonfire as the night falls and the temperature slowly drops, breathing in the smoke and watching the sparks dance. And also eating a lot of s’mores. Like, a LOT.
Sit by a lake.
There’s a small lakefront beach in my tiny hometown with a little ice cream window that’s been there since the 60s probably, and as a kid I loved getting one of those Flavor Burst soft serve cones in the fluorescent green apple flavor and sitting on the swings overlooking the lake. Bliss.
Tube down a river.
I’m the least athletic person I know, but even I enjoy tubing down a (calm!!!!) river with a cooler tied between your tubes, just having a grand old time. It’s been about two decades since I did it, mind you, but the thought is always there.
Ride a bike.
Nothing makes me feel like a kid again faster than riding a bike. Ideally you would be riding the bike to go get an ice cream cone or go swimming at the lake but I’ll leave it up to you. (Side note: I still really want this retro pink bike).
Go to the library.
Spending hours on end in the public library was such a staple of my childhood summers. And aside from books, don’t forget that libraries always have tons of resources available, and lots of fun events for both kids and adults. It’s a great option on a rainy day (or if you’re like me and allergic to summer, a sunny day).
Pick some fresh berries.
Picking your own blueberries or strawberries is such a quintessential summertime activity. I lowkey kind of hated it as a kid (because there was HEAT and BUGS) but now it’s something that I think sounds lovely. There are few things in life better than a perfectly ripe strawberry at peak season.
See some fireworks.
I feel like people fall into two camps: either “eh, you see one firework you’ve seen ‘em all” and “fireworks are cool no matter what” and I am firmly in the latter camp. Something about watching a fireworks show always makes me feel like a little kid again. When I first moved to Chicago, you could see the fireworks from Navy Pier off of our roof deck every single night all summer long, and it was magical every time.
Have a picnic.
Get a blanket, a book, and some girl dinner and you’ve got yourself a grand old time. Last summer my coworkers and I all trekked to Millennium Park downtown for their Movies in the Park series to watch Pride and Prejudice, and we packed all sorts of charcuterie and snack-y goodies from Trader Joe’s and chowed down. It was so lovely.
Go for a long walk without your phone.
No podcasts, no playlists, no Strava, just you and nature (or as close as you can get to it wherever you live). Spend time observing the world around you instead of trying to drown it out. You never know what you might see. (Last week I saw a squirrel daintily sipping out of a puddle on the sidewalk and it made me a bit emotional. Though that may be the PMS talking).
Grow some herbs.
You don’t need a big garden plot to grow some fresh herbs – you can just put a little pot on your windowsill and have fresh basil, oregano, thyme, or dill all season long! Nothing beats picking a few leaves of basil to top off your dinner with.
Visit the farmer’s market.
Head to your local farmer’s market to grab some farm-fresh seasonal produce. Summer is especially perfect for peaches, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries, corn, zucchini, watermelon, and peas. Perfect for making a delicious summer salad, one of my greatest joys in life.
Watch a movie outside.
Get a cheap-o projector (or a nice one if you’re committed) and a white sheet and have a screening of something fun. Do not forget the popcorn, blankets, and pillows.
Go to the mall.
Nothing says 90s/00s summer break like hanging out at the mall. Do your best to find one that’s not all sad and dying, if you can. Have a pretzel, do some window shopping, see a movie, live it up!
See an outdoor concert.
I definitely prefer outdoor concerts to being crammed into a giant auditorium, if I had to choose. And while I would much rather have an assigned seat, there is something to be said about packing a picnic blanket or folding chairs and camping out to get a good spot on the lawn. Monumentour 2014 lives large in my memory.
Go to a county fair or street festival.
I love love love a county fair. Give me a demolition derby. Give me some saltwater taffy. Give me elephant ears and funnel cakes and corn dogs. I want to walk around with a walking taco and see the SIGHTS.
Go to a drive-in movie theater.
Allegedly there’s a drive-in theater somewhere near me and I desperately want to go. It sounds like such a fun, nostalgic thing to do, and also reminds me of Grease. Pack some blankets and pillows and some snacks and make it an event.
Eat outside.
Last summer we got a little bistro table and chairs for our back porch and eating outside always feels so nice and refreshing. Except for the bugs. I don’t love that part.
Make friendship bracelets.
Was anyone else the de facto bracelet maker in their group of friends? Once I learned that chevron stripe pattern, it was all I could do. But there are so many cute kits, whether you want the classic embroidery floss or the beaded Taylor Swift ones.
Tie-dye a shirt.
I feel like I was always tie-dying something as a kid and that practice really fell off into adulthood. Probably due largely in part to a less-frequent participation in group activities like summer camps, but STILL. You have free will, you can tie-dye anything at any moment. (But you might want to start with a kit if you’re out of practice).
Go to a skating rink.
I want to go roller skating SO BAD and apparently there’s going to be a retro roller rink opening on Navy Pier all summer, so you’ll find me there. I loved going to the one sad roller rink nearby my hometown as a kid. I think we only went a few times, but it was always so fun (and pro-tip: they’re less aesthetically pleasing, but inline skates are way easier than the classic four-wheeled ones).
Eat at an old-school diner.
This one might take some planning, but eating at one of those cool old school diners (ideally one of those ones in an airstream trailer) is so summer-coded to me. If you can’t find one, then just go to a Steak and Shake or something. Same vibes.
Do a wine tasting at a vineyard.
I’ve still never done a true wine tasting, and I really want to! Going to a beautiful vineyard and trying all sorts of tasty wines sounds like a lovely afternoon. Though I’ve heard from friends that you definitely want to make sure to pack some snacks or head to a restaurant quickly so you’re not completely trashed by accident.
Watch a sunset.
When was the last time you actually sat and watched a sunset? It’s beautiful! Just unplug and enjoy the show nature has for you.
Go mini-golfing.
Regular golf? I could not care less. Add some windmills and crazy trick holes, and I’m so there. I love mini-golf, I don’t know why. I think because it’s kind of impossible to be good at it, truly. It’s just a lot of fun to do as a group.
Go stargazing.
One thing I miss the most living in the city is being able to see the stars. When I was back home a few weeks ago, one night we could see a ton of constellations and three whole planets! I love standing outside on a warm summer night just gazing up at the stars.
Camp in your backyard.
I remember when I was really little, my dad and I would sometimes pitch a tent in the backyard and sleep outside during the summer. It usually involved a bonfire, s’mores, and catching fireflies in a jar to use as a nightlight, and I loved it.
Draw with sidewalk chalk.
The best thing you can do is to draw a hopscotch board (grid?) on the sidewalk and then watch people who pass by try to do the hopscotch as they go on their way. It’s very adorable to me.
Have a barbecue or cookout.
Have a classic “everyone bring a dish to pass” potluck cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers, brats, or something more elaborate if you’re feeling fancy. Bonus points for lawn games like bocce ball, cornhole, or horseshoes.
Make a summer playlist.
Need some inspo? Here are some of my favorites:
Make some homemade ice cream.
And no, I don’t mean with a Ninja Creami (though if you have one of those, I’m jealous and also can I come over?). You only need a few basic ingredients to make homemade ice cream in five minutes flat, and you can get as basic or complex as you want with toppings and mix-ins.
Read a book outside.
One of my favorite parts of summer as a kid was the local library’s summer reading challenge.
Want some summer reading recs? Enjoy these great roundups from some of my Substack pals:
So that’s that! I personally am looking forward to a (semi) unplugged summer full of friends and family, tasty food, and lots of good books. What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Parenthetical is a publication for women who dog-ear pages, overthink their seasonal wardrobe, and want to make their ordinary days more magical. Paid subscribers get access to the full resource library, plus The Well-Designed Life curriculum.
Epic list!! Now I need to drag out the friendship bracelet supplies!
amazing list! will attempt to do some of these even if I'm in the city 🥲