Summer always seems to fly by! Between vacations, weekend plans, and everything in between, it’s easy to forget the simple things you wanted to try. That’s where a summer bucket list comes in, and this year, we’re making it fun, colorful, and creative with Tombow products!
Whether you’re a planner person, a journaler, or just someone looking for a low-pressure way to track your summer goals, these five styles will inspire you to make a list that’s as bright and bold as the season itself. Here’s how to get started!
What You’ll Need:
- Dual Brush Pens – Bright, blendable color with a brush tip for lettering and a fine tip for details.
- MONO Drawing Pens – Clean, crisp lines for doodles, layouts, and outlines.
- Shop all Tombow products and get everything you need to bring your summer list to life!
1. Bingo-Style Bucket List
Make your summer goals feel like a game. A bingo board is a great way to visualize all the things you want to do, and actually follow through! Draw a 5×5 grid and fill each square with an activity! Keep it simple (“try a new recipe“) or more ambitious (“take a weekend road trip“). Then color in the squares as you go. You can even add tiny doodles in the corner of each box!
Try this! Use a different color theme for each row, like ocean blues, sunset pinks, or citrus brights.
💡 Bonus Tip from @AmmieYall: Share your board at the beginning of summer and again at the end.
2. Journal Checklist
If you’re already in the journaling community, then this one’s for you! Keep your summer bucket list contained in a clean, checklist-style spread. Add headers, colorful bullet points, or icons for each task. Use Tombow Dual Brush Pens for bold lettering, MONO Drawing Pens for fine lines, and add light shading or watercolor-style backgrounds for extra flair.
Try this: Highlight your top 3 goals and break them down into smaller tasks on the next page.
💡 Bonus Hack from @FromCarola: Poll your Instagram followers: “Which goal should I start first?”, to get your audience involved!
3. Illustrated Poster
This version doubles as room decor and a motivation board. Grab a blank sheet and start with a title like “My Summer Bucket List.” Use hand lettering and summer-themed doodles (think: sunglasses, waves, fruit, fireworks) to build your layout. It’s fun, visual, and something you’ll actually want to hang up!
Try this: Mix brush lettering with print-style fonts using different Tombow marker tips for contrast.
💡 Bonus Tip from @PenPal.Isal: Post your finished poster in your space, tag @tombowusa, and ask your followers: “What would you add?”
4. Creative Lettering Composition
This style puts the spotlight on your lettering. Instead of listing your bucket list items in a straight column or grid, each activity becomes its own bold, hand-lettered moment. Use different lettering styles, colors, and effects to make each item pop; think thick block letters, script fonts, outlines, shadows, and more! Pair the text with small, simple icons to add a visual cue, like waves for “Miami Beach” or a martini glass for “Happy Hour.” It’s a great way to practice your lettering skills and create a fun visual list you’ll want to keep on display.
Try this: Use one Dual Brush Pen for the outline and a second color to fill in or shadow each word. Vary the size of each item so the layout feels balanced but not too uniform.
💡 Bonus Hack from @emchidesign: Share a close-up of your favorite lettered phrase and ask your followers which one they’d want to recreate in their own style!
5. Illustrated Journal Spread
For a more reflective and creative take on your bucket list, try turning it into a journal spread! Instead of just writing a list, use your sketchbook or dot-grid journal to mix words, watercolor, and illustrations. This style captures the vibe of summer, not just the tasks. You can keep it loose and word-based, like a page full of summer-themed words, or split it up by themes like camping, beach days, or travel! Illustrate simple icons like tents, stars, trees, and fire pits with Dual Brush Pens!
Try this: Pick one theme (like camping or beach adventures) all fill the page with related words, colors, and doodles. Use another page to document the experience once you’ve done it.
💡 Bonus Tip from @Studio.Katie: Share a side-by-side of your bucket list page and a follow up page showing what you did. It’s a great way to show your audience how you bring your plans to life!
Show Us Your Summer List!
Your Turn! How are you making your bucket list this year?
Snap a photo or take a short video, tag @tombowusa, and use #tombow and #tombowusa so we can see your style. We might even feature you on our channels!
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