25 Simple & Cozy May Bucket List Ideas (+FREE Printable!)
Slow down and find joy in everyday moments with these 25 simple & cozy May Bucket List Ideas to help you unwind this month. Plus, grab the FREE printable bucket list + bingo card to make it extra fun! ✨
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It’s May! It’s officially my birthday month, which gets less and less exciting the older I get 🤣 This year, I’m taking a trip up the California coast to Mendocino so I’m super pumped about that!
May also means that spring is in full swing, and summer is just right around the corner! Life just feels a little easier during the spring and summer, don’t you think?
In this post, I’m sharing my free printable May bucket list + bingo card to help you make the most of this month. We’ve got Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day to look forward to! Memorial Day always feels like the unofficial start of summer, so I look forward to the long weekend every year!
I love celebrating the seasons & holidays, and making a monthly bucket list helps me live each month with intention and do all the simple, cozy, seasonal activities to relax and enjoy life even after the 9-5 grind.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place! You can use this bucket list to plan a fun activity to do after a long day at work, on Friday night, or the weekend. There’s no pressure – do as much or as little as you like! ☺️
I even have a FREE printable bucket list that you can print out or use on your phone! To make things extra fun, I also made a printable bingo card that you can turn into a game or use as an activity advent calendar!
🌸 For even more self-care ideas, download my FREE printable list of 101 Self Care Ideas!
🎀 All Monthly Bucket Lists
Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!
Free MAY BUCKET LIST
Join my email list to get the FREE printable May bucket list + bingo card sent straight to your inbox! As a bonus, I’ll also send you a brand new bucket list every month full of cozy seasonal activities! 💖
🌼 Seasonal & Holiday Fun
1. Have a Star Wars movie marathon
May 4th is Star Wars day, which makes it the perfect time to binge watch the Star Wars movies! Or if you’re a massive Baby Yoda fan like me, it’s a great time to catch up on The Mandalorian too. Feel free to go all out with themed snacks if you’re feeling extra!
2. Plan a Memorial Day BBQ
I don’t know about you, but I consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of summer! Kick things off with a Memorial Day BBQ or cookout with friends and family. You don’t have to plan anything fancy – even a small gathering can make the weekend feel special!
3. Plan a Mother’s Day brunch
Planning a Mother’s Day brunch is a great way to show mom, grandma, and all the aunties a little appreciation! Just keep things simple with a few easy dishes, coffee, tea, or mimosas. You can even make the dishes ahead of time to make things even easier!
4. Put together a teacher appreciation gift
Show your favorite teacher some appreciation with a simple gift like a handwritten note, gift card, or some homemade desserts. You can also get kids involved by having them draw a picture, make a craft, or write a message on a card.
5. Watch the Kentucky Derby
Tune into the Kentucky Derby and turn it into a fun at-home event! Click here to see all the viewing options. You can even go the extra mile by dressing up and making themed drinks & appetizers.
6. Make a Mexican-inspired dish for Cinco de Mayo
Make your favorite Mexican recipe for Cinco de Mayo! You can bring it to a party or add it to your weekly dinner plan. It doesn’t have to be fancy, there are so many 5-ingredient recipes to choose from!
🍓 Cooking & Festive Bites
7. Create homemade infused waters
I always struggle to get enough water into my daily routine, but making infused water is an easy way to make it a little easier. Just add sliced fruit and/or herbs to a pitcher and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. Some of my favorite additions include lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, and oranges. It’s so refreshing and super hydrating!
8. Bake a simple strawberry dessert
Strawberries are usually at their peak around April through June, depending on where you live. Spend a day making some simple strawberry desserts like a pie, shortcake, or even some strawberry cupcakes!
9. Make a fresh spring salad
Get some spring greens, produce, and herbs from the farmer’s market to make salads for lunch or dinner this month. They’re light, fresh, and perfect for warmer weather.
10. Mix up a spring mocktail or cocktail
Why spend over $10 on a seasonal cocktail or mocktail when you can make your own at home?! You don’t need anything complicated – just some citrus fruits, herbs, and sparkling water will do! I love making a fancy mocktail on weekends after a long week at work, but you can make them for a party too.
11. Cook with spring produce
There are so many easy recipes you can make with spring veggies and herbs, and it’s also a great opportunity to support local farmers and farmer markets! Here are 26 simple 5-ingredient spring dinner recipes to get you inspired!
12. Eat dinner outside (al fresco style!)
Take advantage of longer, warmer summer evenings by eating dinner outside! Sure, you can eat outdoors at a restaurant, but it’s just as fun to eat a special homemade meal on your patio or porch. If you need some inspiration, check out these 35 easy pasta dishes that you can make with 5 ingredients or less!
🪴 DIY & Creative Hobbies
13. Press flowers
Collect a few flowers during your morning walk or hike, and press them between the pages of a notebook or journal. It’s a simple, relaxing activity that doesn’t require any special supplies. Here are 4 simple ways you can get started with pressing flowers!
14. Make a homemade Mother’s Day gift or card
A handmade gift beats a store-bought one any day of the week! It’s a great way to show mom, grandma, or your favorite aunt how much you appreciate them. It can be something simple like a handmade card, a small craft, flower arrangement, or even some baked goods!
15. Buy a bouquet of peonies
Next to tulips and daffodils, peonies are one of my favorite spring flowers! They brighten up any corner of the house and they smell divine. I even saw a tulip-peony hybrid at Trader Joe’s this month! Pick up a bunch from the store or farmers market and put them in a vase to perk up your living room.
16. Do a “paint-by-numbers” kit
A paint-by-numbers kit is an easy way to get creative, even if you’re not an expert! You don’t have to stress about making a Picasso-level painting – just follow the guide and paint in between the lines. It’s relaxing and low-pressure, especially after a long day at work or school.
17. Make a Memorial Day craft
Honor our veterans by making a simple Memorial Day craft this month! You can even consider making a card or small homemade gift for local organizations to send to veterans. Some organizations even allow volunteers to write letters to share with local vets, which is a great way to thank your hometown heroes!
18. Make a wind chime for your backyard
Creating a wind chime is a fun weekend project to decorate your outdoor space! You can use simple materials like string, beads, or small objects to make a wind chime. Here are 20 DIY wind chime ideas to get you started!
🛼 Outdoor Activities & Adventures
19. Go on a scenic hike
Enjoy the spring weather and go on a hike! You can check out the local hiking trails near you, or make a road trip out of it. It’s a great way to enjoy the spring air and also get some exercise in.
20. Visit a botanical garden
May is a great month to visit a botanical garden since many flowers are in full bloom. It’s a relaxing activity you can do solo or with friends and family!
21. Try birdwatching
Okay, hear me out. Birdwatching is actually pretty relaxing activity! You can simply sit outside and notice the birds in your backyard. Or you can go on a local nature trail or hiking to observe the different species of birds in your area.
22. Explore a local nature trail
Speaking of nature trails, May is a great month to take a stroll along a local trail near you! I love going on nature trails because they’re typically more relaxed than a full-on hike. You can take a walk, go on a jog, or even take a bicycle ride on bike-friendly trails.
23. Plan a weekend trip to the lake
Being by the water is so calming and relaxing! I love taking a mini weekend trip to a lake town during May, especially because it’s usually too cold up here to go to the beach in May. Make sure to pack some snacks, drinks, and a blanket you can sit and relax on. Here’s a list of 101 travel-friendly snacks you can take with you!
24. Stroll along wildflower fields
This one is going to depend a bit on where you live, but in many parts of the country you can spot wildflowers in May. It’s fun to just frolic along the wildflower fields and they also make beautiful photos too!
25. Plan a backyard garden party
You can do so many different things with this one! You can have friends or family over for a backyard dinner party, an afternoon tea party, a cookout, or even a planting/gardening event. Keep it simple with quick appetizers, some spring mocktails, and your favorite spring playlist.
Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!
Free MAY BUCKET LIST
Join my email list to get the FREE printable May bucket list + bingo card sent straight to your inbox! As a bonus, I’ll also send you a brand new bucket list every month full of cozy seasonal activities! 💖