Teenage Bucket List: 20 Things To Do Before You're 20!

Huff Post Teen Prom

TEENAGE BUCKET LIST: 20 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 20!

THE HUFFINGTON POST – BY HANNAH ORENSTEIN

There’s a reason that teen movies are so full of awesome adventures and misadventures – being a teenager is the perfect time for those fun, crazy things you would (probably) never do as an adult. You only live once (#yolo) and you’re only a teenager once, so make these years of friends and freedom count. Before you officially enter adulthood and turn 20, create a teenage bucket list of all the things you want to do and experiences you’re dying to have. Always wanted to take a road trip, participate in a flash mob or have a Hollywood-worthy kiss? Now’s the time to make it happen. See how many items you’ve accomplished – or that you still need to check off your list!

This is just our bucket list – so what’s on yours? Do you have any crazy, unforgettable memories that you want to make before you turn 20?

TAKE A ROAD TRIP

Pile into a car with your best friends and hit the road! Whether you pick a destination beforehand or go where the road takes you, you’ll have a blast.

HAVE AN EPIC KISS

Whether it’s in the rain like Allie and Noah, upside down like Spiderman and Mary Jane, or on prom night, go in for a Hollywood-perfect kiss with someone who deserves it!

TRY A FOOD YOU CAN’T PRONOUNCE

You never know – it might end up being your new favorite!

RECORD A COVER OF YOUR FAVORITE SONG AND POST IT ON YOUTUBE

It might lead to fame and fortune (a la Justin Bieber), or it could lead to a silly afternoon in front of your computer and a couple comments on YouTube. The only way to find out is to try it yourself and see!

GO SKINNY DIPPING

Go skinny dipping on a warm summer night with your friends. Just remember – leave your phones at home. This is one album you don’t want on Facebook!

PARTICIPATE IN A FLASH MOB

Totally crazy? Sure. But should you do it? Of course!

FALL IN LOVE – AND GET YOUR HEART BROKEN

Going through a major breakup or getting your heart broken is always a painful experience, but it makes you realize that you’ll come out the other side okay – and maybe even better than before.

SLEEP UNDER THE STARS FOR ONE NIGHT

Nothing is more beautiful than a night under the stars. Head into the woods for a weekend of camping ands savor the sights!

PULL A (FUN) ALL-NIGHTER

You’ll probably have to pull an all-nighter (or two) by the time you turn 20 to finish studying for a test or writing an essay. So it’s only fair to spend a second all-nighter – after a nap, of course! – full of fun with friends until dawn to reward yourself for a job well-done.

GO ELECTRONICS-FREE FOR 24 HOURS

If the thought of 24 hours without your cell phone, laptop and iPad makes you break into a cold sweat, cutting out electronics for a day could be a beneficial technology detox for you. Attempt to enjoy the break! You might find it surprisingly refreshing.

VOTE

This one’s a biggie. After you turn 18, flex your political power by voting in local, state-wide and national elections. You might be surprised how good it feels to voice your views.

HAVE A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER

You never know what you might have in common with the woman sitting next to you on the bus, the guy waiting in line behind you at the grocery store, or the couple sitting on a bench near you at the park.

GET A PASSPORT, AND TAKE IT SOMEWHERE!

Even if you don’t have the budget for a big post-graduation Eurotrip, everyone should still have a Passport. It doesn’t take too much time, effort or money to get one made, and you’ll have it for all your future travels for the next 10 years. In the meantime, whip it out as your form of identification on your next train or bus ride.

LEARN TO PLAY A SONG ON AN INSTRUMENT

Always wanted to learn to play “Blackbird” on the guitar or “The Scientist” on your brother’s keyboard? Make it happen. With a few weeks of lessons, a teach-yourself manual or even just YouTube tutorials, you can experience a different side of one of your favorite songs.

GET A JOB. ANY JOB.

Even if you can’t stand your summer job at the mall, the experience of having responsibility to an employer and making your own money is an essential part of the passage to adulthood. For better or worse, your first job is something you’ll never forget – so don’t wait until you’re out of college to get one!

WRITE A LOVE LETTER TO YOURSELF. OPEN 10 YEARS LATER

Profess your undying love – to yourself. Purely for the purpose of celebrating you, write a letter filled with all the things you love and appreciate about yourself. It’s a nice self-esteem boosting activity, and when you’re older, you’ll love the reminder of what made you are so awesome as a teen.

LEARN TO HAVE A BASIC CONVERSATION IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Ever wanted to don a beret and have a conversation en francais, like a real Parisian? Make it happen! Get an audio guide or Rosetta Stone and learn to have a basic conversation in the language you’ve been dying to learn, whether its Swedish or Swahili. You never know when you might use it!

DANCE IN THE RAIN

There’s something about the act of dancing freely – and being caught in a major downpour – that makes you feel alive like almost nothing else does. So instead of running for cover the next time it starts coming down, start your own impromptu dance party and feel the rush!

GO TO A MOVIE OR DINNER BY YOURSELF

It might feel intimidating to go to a movie or out to dinner by yourself at first, but it builds tons of confidence.

LEARN TO COOK YOUR FAVORITE MEAL

Before long, you’ll be living away from home and craving your favorite home-cooked meal. Spend some quality time with Mom or Dad in the kitchen – they’ll be happy to teach you to cook for yourself!