Summer Bucket List: 26 Creative Things to Do with Friends

Summer has a way of making everyone a little more social, a little more playful and a lot more keen to say “yes” to plans. If your group chat is buzzing and you’re on the hunt for things to do that go beyond the usual brunch-repeat cycle, you’re in the right place. This list is made for the friends who love chatting while making something with their hands, sipping a drink and leaving with a story (and maybe a handmade keepsake). From hands-on art and craft workshops to low-pressure creative hangs, here are 26 fun, feel-good ideas to add to your summer bucket list. 

1. Spin some clay at a pottery wheel throwing class

There’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition over whose bowl is most… bowl-shaped. Wheel throwing classes are perfect for friends who love getting messy, laughing at wobbling clay and proudly taking home something imperfect but personal.

We recommend… This clay and sip class in Sydney, perfect for friends who want to catch up over some wine and clay. 

2. Unwind at a paint and sip class with your favourite people

Classic for a reason. A paint and sip workshop lets you catch up, pick up a brush and enjoy a wine (or two) while being guided step by step. Zero pressure, lots of laughs and ideal for late summer evenings.

3. Craft a stained glass suncatcher

For a craft that truly belongs in summer, stained glass suncatchers are having a moment. In a beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll cut, foil and assemble colourful glass pieces designed to catch the light. It’s creative without being rushed, surprisingly satisfying and perfect for friends who love making something beautiful they’ll actually use. 

Tip: Hang it in a window, and you’ll get a little reminder of your summer catch-up every sunny morning.

4. Take your friends to a floral arranging workshop

Fresh flowers, good company and a bit of creativity? Yes please. Flower arranging classes are perfect for friends who love aesthetics, Instagram moments and taking home their own flower arrangements. 

5. Enjoy a wine tasting experience

Swap crafting for a deliciously social summer activity. Casual wine tasting experiences are a great way to gather friends, sip something new and learn a few tricks from experts. These experiences often include guided tastings with small plates or cheese pairings, making it feel like a mini celebration. It’s relaxed, interactive and perfect for a sunny afternoon or evening catch-up.

6. Learn resin art

Resin art is mesmerising to watch and surprisingly therapeutic to make. Mix and pour resin and watch as the colours form together into fun and unique patterns. By the end of the class, you can take home your own unique coasters, trays or cheeseboards, perfect for adding a pop of summer to your home. 

Planning a charcuterie board party? 

Before the party, gather your friends and make a resin charcuterie board together. In this Brisbane workshop, you can pick out your favourite colours, so it’ll be fun to see how everyone’s boards turn out! 

7. Get hands-on with a clay hand building session

Hand building pottery is more free-form than wheel throwing and perfect for chatty groups. Make mugs, vases or abstract creations while you catch up properly with your friends. 

8. Try a jewellery making workshop

Perfect for beginners, jewellery classes are a sweet way to create something meaningful together. You could bead colourful bracelets, shape silver clay rings, try your hand at silversmithing or even make sparkly resin jewellery. Whatever your style, you’ll walk away with pieces you actually want to wear (and show off!).

9. Host a DIY craft night at home

DIY craft night at home is a great way to bring all your friends over and do something different together. Pick a simple craft like pottery painting, set out supplies and let everyone create at their own pace. Bonus points for a shared playlist and themed snacks. 

Keen to learn more? 

Scroll through our craft box ideas to help you plan a fun party with your friends! 

10. Learn to cook something new

From handmade pasta to dumplings, cooking classes are a crowd-pleaser. Instead of a meal, turn a simple lunch or dinner into a fun experience to do with friends this weekend. After all, the more the merrier (and all the more to share around!). 

11. Sign up for a cocktail making class

Shake, stir and taste your way through summer with a cocktail making class. It’s interactive, social and much more fun than sitting at the bar. 

12. Take a beginner’s art class

No experience needed—just curiosity. Drawing, watercolour or acrylic painting classes are great for friends who want to try something new and connect with their creative side (everyone has one!). 

Not sure which style to try? 

Watercolour painting is perfect for beginners— it’s the most forgiving! Simply mix the paint with water and let it flow onto the page. If this piques your interest, head with your friends to this botanical watercolour painting class in Perth. Who knows, it might just inspire a new hobby among the group!

13. Make your own skincare or soaps

Natural skincare or soap making workshops are a hit with friends who love self-care and sustainability. The best part? You’ll go home stocked up with beauty goodies to use at home. 

14. Dream big and hype each other up at a vision board workshop

Summer is the perfect time to reset. Vision board classes give you space to reflect, dream and support each other’s goals.

If you’re all about manifestation, you should try… This vision board manifestation workshop in Sydney to help inspire you in the new year. 

15. Soak up the sunshine on a photography walk

For friends who love documenting everything from iced lattes to beach days, a photography walk is a fun way to see your city with fresh eyes. Our photography classes combine gentle guidance and instructions with wandering, chatting and snapping photos together. It’s social, creative and gives you a stack of summery photos to look back on (and post!).

16. Build tiny green worlds at a terrarium workshop

If your group loves plants but struggles to keep them alive, terrariums are the answer. These low-maintenance mini gardens are a fun, calming activity, perfect for winding down in summer. Bonus: they give you a fun project to connect over—from watering reminders to celebrating new growth!

We think you might like… This mindful terrarium making workshop in Melbourne, where you can make your own moss terrarium!  

17. Design unique summer accessories

Create something you’ll actually use all summer long. Screen printing or fabric painting workshops let you design your own totes, beach bags or bucket hats. These classes are playful and beginner-friendly—and you’ll walk away with something practical that reminds you of that day every time you use it.

18. Bring blank ceramics to life at a pottery painting session

If you’re looking for fun things to do with friends, take them to a social pottery painting class! You’ll first be guided by a friendly teacher, then you and your group can have plenty of time to decorate pre-made ceramics while you catch up, snack and sip.

19. Customise your own perfume

Perfume making workshops—like blending a light summer perfume, roll-on scent or room mist—are ideal for warm-weather catch-ups. We offer beginner-friendly scent experiences where you experiment, laugh at surprising combinations and leave with something that instantly transports you back to summer with friends.

Got a group of friends who love staying on top of the trends? Pinterest predicts perfume making and bespoke scents are going to be all the rage in 2026.

20. Plan a crafty picnic

Take your creative energy outdoors and plan a crafty picnic with friends! Bring sketchbooks, watercolours or air-dry clay to the park for a low-key summer hang. 

Tip: Make it extra fun by asking everyone to bring their favourite dish, perfect for grazing while you draw, colour and create.

21. Learn modern calligraphy

Calligraphy classes are surprisingly soothing and very satisfying. Perfect for friends who love stationery, lettering and mindful activities. Hint: The perfect gift for a bullet journal girlie!

22. Piece together something beautiful at a mosaic art workshop

You might not think it but mosaic art is a fun summer craft that is easy to do! Gather your friend group and get stuck into learning a new skill, where you can make your own Turkish mosaic lamp, coaster or tray. 

23. Put down your phones and learn sewing for beginners

If you want to do something other than bed rotting on the weekend, head to a sewing workshop with your friends and finally understand how a sewing machine works. It’s great for helping you take your mind off things and instead create something with your hands. By the end of the class, you’ll be stoked with what you made!

Tip: Sewing is a great way to build your own analogue bag that you can enjoy anywhere—simply bring sewing needles, thread and a DIY project you're working on the next time you're stuck on the train.  

24. Indulge in chocolate making together

For those who have a sweet tooth, chocolate making classes are pure joy! You’ll learn how to temper, mould and decorate chocolate and by the end, take home a whole bag of delicious treats to share (that is, if you haven’t eaten it all!). 

If you’re planning your next friends' hangout, try… This Belgian chocolate making class in Adelaide. Sweet, delicious and absolutely fun to do!

25. Host a rotating ‘skill swap’ day

Each friend teaches something small—whether it’s braiding hair, latte art or basic drawing. It’s casual, collaborative and surprisingly fun. 

26. Book a group workshop day and make it an event

Turn one creative class into a whole summer hangout. Pick an art and craft workshop—like painting, cocktail making or pottery—and build a day around it with lunch before or drinks after. Framing it as a ‘friends creative day’ makes it feel special without needing a big reason, and it’s a fun way to lock in time together before summer slips away.

Make summer 2026 one to remember

The best things to do with friends aren’t always the loudest or most expensive—they’re the moments where you’re laughing, creating and spending time together without distractions. Whether you book a hands-on class or host your own creative hang, these summer activities are all about connection, creativity and shared memories. So rally the group chat, pick a date and start ticking off your summer bucket list—one crafty catch-up at a time.