Bucket List

What is a bucket list and how do you create one? Use our free bucket list template to create a bucket list that will transform your life!

Either print a blank bucket list template from the selection below or use our bucket list maker to create a printable list of things that you would like to do.

Word / PDF

The PDF version is typeable. If you want to change the category titles then use the Word version.

DIY Bucket List Templates

Blank Template with Border – 101 Different Designs.

Print Template

1. Click on the button with your planner size.
2. Select your background design (101 designs available). To change the background, go to “select border” and choose any design. There are many different categories of borders. For example, if you want to make a cute bucket list then select a border from the selection of cute backgrounds.
3. Select the checklist template (many options available. Click on planner inserts then “checklists”). Before you download the template, decide how many bucket list items you will have and choose the list that looks long enough. Then change the title.

You can change the background and customize each template with your name. You can also type the list online before you print it.

You can now either print the list and add the bucket list items by hand, or you can; add the list before you print (click on the “A” icon to add an item and drag it to the correct position).

Bucket List Bullet Journal

What is a Bucket List?

Bucket List Meaning: A list of all of the things that you want to achieve or do during your lifetime. Creating a bucket list is a fun and motivating way to set goals and prioritize the experiences you want to have in your lifetime.

Why Create a Bucket List?

Life is often hectic, and many of us are in survival mode most of the time. We don’t usually take the time to think of all of the things that we dream of accomplishing. Creating a bucket list can also help you prioritize your efforts to ensure that you are working towards the goals that are important to you and not only those that require your urgent attention.

Creating and pursuing a bucket list can add excitement and purpose to your life, helping you focus on what truly matters to you and encouraging you to make the most of your time.

How to Make a Bucket List

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a bucket list:

1. Set Aside Time: Find a quiet and relaxed environment where you can brainstorm and think about your life goals and desires. It could be a cozy corner at home, a park, or a coffee shop.
2. Reflect on Your Passions and Interests: Start by thinking about the things that truly make you happy, excite you, or spark your curiosity. Consider your hobbies, interests, and what you’ve always wanted to try or learn.
3. Identify Your Values: Think about your core values and what matters most to you in life. Your bucket list should reflect your values and what you believe will bring fulfillment.
4. List Different Categories: To organize your list, create categories such as travel, personal growth, career, family, adventure, and more. This will help you cover a wide range of experiences.
5. Dream Big: Don’t limit yourself when brainstorming. Let your imagination run wild. Include both small and large goals. Remember, it’s called a bucket list for a reason – it should contain things you genuinely aspire to achieve or experience.
6. Be Specific: Instead of vague goals like “travel more,” get specific. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do there? Specify destinations, activities, and even timeframes if possible.
7. Prioritize: Once you’ve listed everything you can think of, go through your list and prioritize. Which experiences are most important to you right now? Which ones can you realistically work on in the near future?
8. Break It Down: Some goals may be large and overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps. This makes it easier to work toward them incrementally.
9. Set Deadlines: Assign target dates or timeframes to your goals. Having deadlines can motivate you to take action and make your bucket list more achievable.
10. Share Your List: Consider sharing your bucket list with a trusted friend or family member. They might have insights, suggestions, or even want to join you in pursuing some of your goals.
11. Review and Update Regularly: Life changes, and so do your priorities. Periodically review your bucket list and make updates as needed. Add new goals, remove ones that no longer resonate with you, and adjust deadlines if necessary.
12. Start Taking Action: The most crucial step is to start working on your bucket list. Pick one goal at a time and take steps toward achieving it. Remember that the journey toward your goals can be just as rewarding as reaching them.
13. Celebrate Achievements: When you accomplish a goal from your bucket list, take time to celebrate your achievement. It’s a reminder of what you’ve accomplished and can motivate you to keep pursuing your dreams.

How do you decide which things to put on a bucket list?

• Firstly, add the things that you have always wanted to do but never got around to doing.
• Think of the cool things that your friends or family have done that made you envious.
• If you were told that the world was coming to an end, what would you like to accomplish before then?
• Travel – make a list of places that you would like to visit or landmarks you would like to see.
• Are there any people that you would love to meet?
• When you think of the perfect life a famous person might have, what do you think makes it perfect?
• Crazy bucket list ideas – what is crazy for one person might seem dull for another. Add one insane thing that you think will be fun to try, but you most probably wouldn’t even try it if it wasn’t on your list, for example, have a food fight
• Funny bucket list ideas – do something ridiculous and childish like replacing the sugar with salt or play a funny, harmless trick on someone.
• Relationship – is there anything that you want to do with someone special, for someone or to improve your relationship?

Read the ideas below to get more ideas and see more examples.

Bucket List Ideas

Travel

These are the things I have already done and recommend:

• Walk through Grand Central Station, New York
• See a Broadway musical
• ​Visit the Palace of Versailles in France
• ​Drink Beer at Oktoberfest in Germany
• Visit the ancient city of Kyoto in Japan
• Sleep on a houseboat in Holland or Belgium
• ​Ride in a Gondola in Venice, Italy
• Visit the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
• Visit the Taj Mahal in India
• Visit the Great Wall of China
• Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Go on a road trip
• Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
• Live in a different country for at least 6 months (I lived in Japan)
• Swim in the Dead Sea in Israel
• Visit the White House
• Visit the Iguazu Falls in Brazil / Argentina
• Eat Paella in Spain

These are the things I haven’t done yet but want to do:

• See the Northern Lights
• Visit Hawaii
• Visit the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
• Go island hopping in Greece
• Go to Mardi Gras, New Orleans

Sport and Fitness

• Is there a sport you would like to learn? Examples are swimming, tennis, squash, and baseball.
• Is there something that you are currently physically incapable of doing but would like to be able to accomplish one day? Examples are a triathlon, a marathon, a half marathon, 150 sit-ups, a 3-minute plank, and 30 push-ups.
• Is there a mountain that you would like to climb?
• Is there an extreme sport that you would like to try? Examples are skydiving, bungee jumping, get a scuba diving license.
• Is your BMI in the normal range? If not, one of your goals could be to reach a healthy BMI.
• Attend the Olympics
• Learn a martial art

Helping Others

• What can you do to make a difference in other people’s lives? Examples are finding a way to help someone without them knowing about it, making a bag of care packages and dropping them off at a homeless shelter or somewhere where they will be appreciated, donating an organ, or tutoring someone in need.
• What is the most memorable thing you can do for someone else? Examples are volunteering somewhere, giving an anonymous donation to someone in need, and helping someone unemployed find a job.
• Rescue a dog or any animal from an animal shelter
• Feed a homeless person

Miscellaneous

• Mud wrestle
• Catch a fish
• Write a love letter
• Go to a yoga retreat

Education

• Do you want to further your education? Examples, are getting a degree, doing a course, and studying something you have always wanted to explore.
• Make a list of the skills or hobbies that you would like to learn or try: for example, knitting, origami, pottery, yoga.
• Do you want to learn a new language or maybe X words in a new language?

There is no such thing as the “best bucket list.” What might be important to someone is not necessarily as important to others. Your list should contain the things that are most important to you. It is your life and your list!

Should you Modify your Bucket List over Time?

Yes, it’s perfectly okay and often advisable to modify your bucket list over time. Life is dynamic, and your goals, interests, and circumstances can change as you grow and evolve. I think that it is important to ask yourself why you want to change it. If your priorities have changed and the goal is no longer important to you then it’s not a problem to modify your list. However, if you are afraid to leave your comfort zone then you might want to reconsider modifying your list (see how to leave your comfort zone).

Here are some reasons why you might want to modify your bucket list:

1. Changing Priorities: As you go through life, your priorities may shift. What seemed important to you in your 20s might not be the same as what you value in your 40s or 60s. It’s essential to align your bucket list with your current values and desires.
2. New Interests and Passions: You might discover new interests or passions as you gain life experience. These newfound interests can lead to new goals and experiences you want to add to your list.
3. Completed Goals: As you work through your bucket list, you’ll accomplish some of your goals. Celebrate these achievements and then consider adding new ones to keep your list fresh and motivating.
4. Changing Circumstances: Life events, such as career changes, family dynamics, or health issues, can impact your ability to pursue certain goals. You may need to modify your list to accommodate these changing circumstances.
5. Realistic Assessment: Sometimes, you might realize that a particular goal is not as important to you as it once was, or it may no longer align with your life’s trajectory. In such cases, it’s perfectly reasonable to remove or replace it with something more relevant.
6. Adaptation to Current Abilities: Your physical or financial capabilities may change over time. Adjust your bucket list to reflect what you can realistically achieve given your current situation.
7. Evolution of Dreams: Your dreams and aspirations can evolve as you gain wisdom and experience. Embrace these changes by updating your bucket list accordingly.
8. Inspiration from Others: Interacting with friends, family, or role models might expose you to new experiences or goals that resonate with you. Don’t be afraid to incorporate these inspirations into your list.

Your bucket list is a reflection of your desires and should evolve as you do. It’s a tool to help you make the most of your life and find fulfillment, so it should always reflect your current aspirations and values. Periodically reviewing and modifying your bucket list can keep it exciting and relevant, ensuring that it continues to motivate and inspire you.

Bucket Lists that You Can Make

Since the title can be customized, you can use these templates for many purposes such as a:

• Summer bucket list (we have a specific template with a summer theme)
• College bucket list (things you want to do before graduation)
• Couples bucket list (a bucket list for couples can include romantic and fun things to do together to ensure that your relationship does not become too routine and boring)
• Best friend bucket list (if you are lucky enough to have a best friend who is willing to do crazy things with you that others won’t even consider then make a list of all of the fun things that you want to do together)
• High school bucket list (things you want to do before graduation)
• Travel bucket list (with a list of places you want to visit or landmarks you want to see)
• Senior year bucket list
• Teenage bucket list (things you want to do before you turn 20)
• Spring break bucket list
• Movie bucket list (all of the movies that you want to see)
• Adventure bucket list (make a list of all of the adventures you want to go on to exotic places or exciting activities such as hiking mountains, treks, sailing, going to sites that are difficult to reach, or even a treasure hunt)