Summer is unquestionably the best time to have fun. You have so much free time to do whatever you want. There are times when you just want to sleep in the summer. I’m telling you now, don’t.
You’ll regret not using your summer to do fun things. Before you know it, you’ll be back in school and waiting for it to be summer again.
But what can you do to keep yourself occupied? Keep reading to find out what eight things you need to add to your summer bucket list.
1. Go camping
I love camping with my family. We used to go to this campsite by the beach every summer and it was the best. I used to look forward to it every year.
Camping can be fun to try if you’re on vacation. Instead of opting for a drab hotel stay, you can try something new and exciting, like staying in a tent under an array of stars.
Many places have campgrounds with a variety of campsites nearby. As I said before, we used to stay at a campground right by the beach. You may prefer to stay in the mountains or by a lake. All you have to do is type “campsites” into the search bar and Google will do the work for you.
But maybe you don’t have the funds to do it. In that case, stay home. You don’t have to go very far to camp. Your backyard could just as well be used as a campsite. You don’t need much either. All you need is a tent, a sleeping bag and you’re ready for adventure.
2. Have a picnic
This one is actually on my personal bucket list.
Instead of eating another boring meal indoors, why not go out and have a picnic? Picnics can be a fun way to spend time outdoors. It can also be a fun way to spend time with good friends and family.
You really don’t need to know how to cook. If you can whip up sandwiches, you’re good to go. Simply serve them with fresh fruit and your lunch will be fantastic. You can also order dishes from your favorite restaurant if you want and add them to the menu.
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Don’t stress! You don’t have to do much. Just grab a blanket, your basket (or your cooler) and head outside. Then all you have to do is relax and enjoy!
To make things even more fun, you can even grab your laptop and watch a movie.
I will say that some necessary items are insect repellent and sunscreen. You are going to be out for a while. Watch out for mosquitoes, ants and any other hungry people who want to share your meal.
3. Read a book in the park
Reading can be a good way to disconnect from technology and the other things in life. Life and social media can be so negative that it’s always a good idea to try and disconnect for a while.
So why not pick up a good book and lose yourself in a world that is not yours?
Reading in the park can be fun to try. You can get out of the house and get your vitamin D while catching up on reading. If your school is enforcing summer reading, this could really help you get a head start.
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If you don’t like to read, close your eyes (for imagination purposes) and try listening to an audiobook. Now, if you’re doing this, remember to really try to engage your imagination. Imagine the characters and settings the reader shares with you.
You should also try to set a goal for how many books you want to read over the summer. Make sure you have a variety of titles to shoot. It can get boring if you only stick to one genre. If you like contemporary romance, read a historical romance novel.
One of my reading goals is to read non-fiction titles and autobiographies. I’m not usually a fan of these, but I want to try something different.
Try stepping out of your comfort zone and reading something you wouldn’t normally read. Although it may be boring at first, the book you pick up may surprise you. If you don’t like to read, I promise you that once you find the right book, you won’t want to put it down.
4. Make popsicles
Popsicles are a summer staple. While it’s probably easier to go to the store and buy some, it’s definitely more fun to make your own. This way you can add ingredients you like and you are more aware of what is going into your popsicle.
If you really like to eat popsicles, you can always make a bath of them at the beginning of the week and have one every day or every other day.
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Some possible ingredients include blackberries or any type of fresh fruit. You can also add honey, yogurt, or even cucumbers or mint. You can basically make the popsicle any way you want!
I loved taking pots of yogurt and putting them in the freezer. After a while it’s like a Go-GURT. Now a Go-Gurt was the real deal when I was growing up. If you don’t know what it is, Google may be able to help you locate the nearest grocery store so you can try one.
5. Go swimming
Whether in your garden, a public swimming pool or a lake, swimming is a must in the summer.
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Swimming is a fun way to cool off in the summer heat. It’s also a fun way to exercise.
Swimming burns a lot of calories and builds muscle strength and endurance. But on top of all these great health benefits, swimming is also a lot of fun.
6. Create an album
It’s time to get out some pretty papers and pretty photos. It’s time to scrap.
I’ve never tried scrapbooking, but I’ve always wanted to. It seems like the perfect way to remember things and events that happened. The fun part is that you can design your album yourself. If you have a strong sense of design, you might really appreciate it.
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All you have to do is gather the necessary supplies. You can easily find them at an arts and crafts store. Then you sit down somewhere comfortable and get to work. It’s similar to creating a vision board which can also be fun to try.
If you are going on vacation, you should take some great photos that you like. Then you can dedicate a page or even an entire book to this holiday. If you prefer to keep track of an entire year, take the time to take great photos throughout the year. Once you have them all set and in your scrapbook, you can revisit them anytime and remember the good times you had that year.
7. Take a road trip
Is there a place you would like to go, but haven’t been there yet? Well, summer is the perfect time for you to do that.
Go on a trip to the beach, to the city or, if you are ambitious, try to take a trip to the opposite coast of your country. (For example, if you live on the west coast, head to the east coast and vice versa.)
Personally, I think road trips are fun. It’s just you, your friends, good music and the road.
You can plan fun activities to do during the trip. For example, you can do karaoke and sing along to some of today’s biggest hits (or oldies. It’s really whatever suits your vibe). You can also plan stops along the way at some of the biggest attractions (for example, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota or the Golden Gate Bridge, California).
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This summer, grab some of your best friends and hit the road. If you don’t have your license yet, ideally one of your friends does. Alternatively, try a family road trip. These are almost always fun too.
8. Learn a new skill
Have you wanted to learn something new? Whether it’s cooking or playing the guitar, now you have the time to do it. There are so many places where you can learn these things at a relatively low cost or even for free.
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One of my favorite apps to use is Skillshare. They offer a variety of free courses ranging from business and design to writing and drawing. There is also a paid version which unlocks a wider range of courses to choose from.
Another app you can use is YouTube. There are tons of free videos that can teach you how to play the piano or how to make pasta.
Summer can be the perfect time to sit back and relax. You know how to stay home curled up on your couch and binge watch Friends. But summer is also the best time to go out and have fun. After a while, we won’t have any more summer holidays.
Unless you become a teacher. Then you have summer vacation for the rest of your career.
Otherwise, try to enjoy the summer holidays as much as you can. Start by making a to-do list and incorporate these eight fun things you need to do.
Comment below which of these eight things you are most looking forward to trying!
