Summer is nearly here, and with that, it’s time for another bucket list! If you live in a climate like mine, this is the time of year to get out there, explore, spend plenty of time outdoors, and plenty more time with friends and loved ones before the weather starts to cool down again. If it’s not too hot out, it’s also a great time to spend some quiet time with nature. No matter how you like to spend your summer, here are some ways to make the most of it.
Note: I also have a spring bucket list post, and many of the ideas there are still applicable now, especially if you’ve had a late spring. Be sure to check it out as well for more inspiration!
Take a day trip. (Or a few.)
One of the funny things about my area is that if you go about 30 minutes in any direction, you end up in what looks like a completely different state. When I started realizing this I started making more day trips, and spending time in new towns and exploring the area. I love eating brunch on a new main street, getting lost in an independent bookstore, or taking a stroll in the park.
If your preferred destination is just out of reach, make it a weekend trip! Plan out all the sights you’d like to see and activities to do. I’d love to do this with some historical cities nearby. Take a look at what’s in your area!
Plan a summer reading list. Stick to it!
Although having summers off is now a thing of the past for me, summer reading will always have a place in my heart – especially because of the time spent reading in the sun! This summer, make a list of books to read. Maybe it will be some unread books on your shelf. Maybe there are some new releases you’ve heard of. You might also try a pre-made challenge where you have to check off books that meet certain criteria. (My local library is doing this now – winners get gift cards!)
Although your summer might be busy, there’s more downtime than you think to pick up a book and read. Have a book for the beach, a picnic, road trip, or for the time spent with air conditioning! (Or when the power goes out because everyone is running air conditioning). If you’re trying to get in the habit of reading more, here are my tips!
Have a movie night under the stars.
I’ve always wanted to get an outdoor projector and have a movie night outdoors. Maybe even set up the Nintendo and play a few rounds of Mario Kart! In reality, we’d all get some nasty mosquito bites. But if you don’t have to worry as much about this, this is a fun idea to keep your summer festivities going after dark. You could also make some s’mores and popcorn over a campfire!
Speaking of campfires…
Have you ever done a s’mores bar? Instead of making the standard sandwich, make a bar with toppings and customize your treats! Put on some chocolate syrup and lay some crushed graham crackers or sprinkles over it. You could do this with whichever toppings you want (or if you want to do different types of food, as well).
Make a summer playlist.
Whether you’re on the beach, going to your next destination, playing sports, or having a BBQ, have a fun playlist prepared that everyone will love. With my past summer memories, music always comes to mind. The songs you play this summer have the power to prolong good memories for a very long time!
Have a mid-year-reflection.
Have you set any resolutions this year? How are they going? Would you like to tack on additional goals? If your current resolutions aren’t working out, how can you fix that?
It’s completely normal to lose track of our goals if they’re in the long-term (such as over the course of the year), so why not think back on the resolutions you made in January? And if you’d like to set some new goals, remember that it’s never too late to start your new year’s resolutions!
Go to a concert.
It’s concert season, and music is one of my go-to events in the summer. Check out what shows are in your area – especially outdoor concerts! And if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, check out what’s going on locally. Lots of times you can catch a concert at your local library or park, many of which are free!
Go to the beach, lake, etc.
I’m sure you expected this one since it’s a go-to for summer. (And a perfect time to bring a book, too.) Whether you go to relax, bring lunch, or toss the frisbee with friends, there’s plenty of ways to keep the beach days enjoyable.
Play some rec. sports.
If you’re especially looking to meet new people, see what kind of rec. sports you can sign up for in your area! They typically range from just for fun to competitive, so you don’t have to worry if you end up not being that athletic.
Summer is also the perfect time to get some friends and loved ones together for some outdoor games! Wiffleball, frisbee, badminton, volleyball, and so many others are great additions to a BBQ or just a regular get-together. If your group isn’t all that athletic, there are some other less-intensive games out there you can enjoy. Kan Jam is like frisbee, but without the running around. You can also play standing games like cornhole, or even break out portable games like Catchphrase if you want to sit down and relax.
Go to a drive-in movie.
I want to do this so bad. If there’s a drive-in near you, or one that pops up near you for a limited time, do it! This would be such a unique way to spend one of your evenings.
Have a stay-cation.
Why leave your home? Set up your own personal paradise in your backyard. Don’t forget the lemonade!
Go to a baseball game.
If there’s a game that you want to see that’s a little far away, it’s more reason for a weekend trip to explore a new town. Even if you don’t know the sport that well, sporting events are still fun when you go to the stadium.
Host a pool party, BBQ, or summer dinner party.
Another summer must! Whether big or small, summer parties incorporate so many elements that you just can’t have (or are harder to implement) with indoor parties. Not only do you have so many outdoor activities to choose from, but you can also have fun with planning colorful summer-y drinks for a refreshing cooldown.
Visit historical sites in your area.
Are there any monuments, restorations, museums, or landmarks in your area? Take some time to visit them! This is a great way to learn more about where you live and the town’s history.
Visit an amusement park or fair.
You may not have a huge theme park near you, but take a look at local fairs! Many times seasonal fairs will pop up and can be a great opportunity to go if you otherwise don’t have amusement parks on the regular.
Visit a nature trail.
Depending on your area many days might be too hot to go, but if it’s cooler out one day, consider going to a trail and take in the sights! Many times your local listings will provide lists of all the parks and trails you can visit – you’d be surprised at how many there are! Especially if you’ve got a lot going on, this is a great way to re-connect with nature and reflect if you need to.
Go to the movies.
If you’ve got plans that are squashed by the weather, it’s always good to have a rainy day backup. I think the movies are a great option. When it’s sunny, you may want to take advantage of that before the season’s over, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the summer films. If you love to soak up the sun, nights and rainy days are the perfect opportunities for you to go to the movies – and when you walk out of the theater, you won’t be blinded by the sun!
Get soft serve / frozen yogurt.
In my area, March / April is everyone’s favorite time of year because it means all the ice cream and ice shops are open for the season. And during the summer, ices and froyo are everyone’s go-to cooldown activity. Sometimes the objective is to go just for froyo, and other times, it’s nice to get some after a long day of fun. It’s up to you!
Since froyo trips can get pretty pricey, you can also try setting up an ice cream bar at home! Get some ice cream (or make your own), and get all your favorite toppings. If making ice cream or soft-serve becomes your thing you could get an ice cream maker too.
Try a new fitness activity.
For a while, working out was not fun at all to me – that is until I found something I enjoyed! And while I found what I love, it’s still fun to see what else is out there. Whether you want to take a class, or watch a fitness video and learn along at home, why not try something new this summer? Or, you could get back into an activity you used to do! This summer, I want to get back into yoga and try some new sequences. I’ve also always done yoga inside, so this summer I’d like to try outside as well. Leave a comment if you’re going to try something new too!
Have a picnic in the park.
Make some sandwiches (or buy some) and bring some drinks and dessert. This is a fun way to have a relaxing day and enjoy the outdoors. Bring some games or a book, too.
Have a vegetable garden.
Even if you didn’t plant seeds earlier in the year, you can pick up some plants from your grocery or home improvement store and get started now! Pick up what you’d like and plan some recipes around them. If you’re looking for something that will produce a large harvest, we’ve had a lot of luck with cherry tomatoes, but be warned – that’s because they will grow out of control if you let them! Plus, the tomatoes that fall off (or get carried away by squirrels) will pop up as new plants next year!
Join a meetup.
Take a look on websites like Meetup or local listings where you can find people coming together over things they enjoy. Want a book club? There’s a meetup for that. Like to walk on the beach? There’s one for that too. See what’s out there, get out there, and make new friends!
Journal your experiences.
A spread that I’ve included in my bullet journal this year that I really love is my memories page. It’s a spread that I like to add to and look back on. Consider doing this monthly, or for your summer. And when you’re feeling low, you can look back and reflect on all the fun things you did!
Remember to relax.
For a lot of reasons, we tend to burn ourselves out trying to do everything over the summer. For one, if you’re in school, it’s the one time to take advantage of having an open schedule. If you live in a four-season climate, it’s your one chance in the year to not feel stranded inside because of the cold, snow, and ice. That in itself leads to the feeling that you should be taking advantage and doing lots of things.
But to add to that, people often feel all of these things due to social media as well. People become more active online this time of year, and with that, the comparison trap really takes effect. This can lead to a lot of negative feelings, and pressure to “compete” against what you’re seeing online. Always keep in mind that social media can often be a facade. Not only that, but you should also enjoy life and do things at your own pace. If you don’t want to spend every weekend doing something, you should not feel the need to.
Remember to take breaks. Remember to relax. And as always, remember to take time to do things for you when you need to. It doesn’t matter what other people are doing. What matters is that you’re enjoying the time that is meant to be enjoyed, and living in the moment.
If you were looking for fun ways to spend your time this summer, I hope this list gave you inspiration. If you’re looking for unique experiences, remember to check out your local listings. What’s your favorite way to cool down over the summer? Let me know below.
Sincerely,
Julie Anna
