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School is out, and summer is here! No more school drama, assignments, and late-night studies. All the stress and worry have been worth it, and now you get to relax this summer.
You can't wait to start this season strong, hanging out with friends, having fun, and staying out late. However, sometimes doing the same routine every day can become draining. Staying inside watching TV or playing video games becomes boring for you, and you feel the summer days stretch longer. Here are 8 activities that can get you into the summer mood, making those summer days memorable.
1. Summer Picnics
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The trendy "summer picnic" aesthetic has recently become popular, with many girls posting the extravagant-ness of their picnic. However, yours doesn't have to look perfect and elegant to be considered a picnic. Invite a few friends over and have it in your backyard.
Play some games, dance and listen to music, or maybe take pictures. You don't need to have typical things like a charcuterie board and exotic fruits. What I love about picnics is that there is no set location for them. You can have it in the park, beach, or even on your lawn. All you need is food and some friends to share it with. So grab your friends, make some food (or buy it), and have a fun time making memories and enjoying each other's company.
2. Exploring
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The best thing to come out of summer is all the adventures and memories you made and had. How can you have new adventures if you're stuck at home being a couch potato? Don't waste the day — explore, and go beyond your comfort zone.
Now I know what you might be thinking: I don't have enough money to travel outside of my state or country. You don't have to even travel to have an adventure. Try that new restaurant that you've been wanting to try for a long time but didn't have the chance to. Go and explore a new city in your state. Grab some friends and go camping. You don't need to travel to have a good time. You make adventures by seeking them out. So go out, explore, and go beyond your front door.
3. Reading
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If you're the type of person that would rather spend the entire day inside instead of sweating in the hot sun, reading is the perfect activity for you. I can personally tell you that school has made me want to stop reading because of the excessive amount of textbook reading. However, the textbook trauma will not get in the way of my summer reading.
I have no idea why, but summer reading is such a vibe. There's something about sitting outside in the shade or by the pool, reading and being fully immersed in the pages of a book.
If you're like me, you've been procrastinating, glancing at the book you bought at Barnes & Noble a year ago. You let it sit on your shelf, collecting dust. It all depends on the type of book you're reading.
If you pick a book that interests you, you'll like reading it. Otherwise, you'll dread it and it might take longer to finish it. So light your scented candle, make yourself that cup of coffee, and find your comfort reading spot. Do whatever you need to do to motivate yourself to read. Whether it's for 15-20 minutes or 1-3 hours, you're going to learn to love reading. Finish that book this summer, you can do it!
4. Movie Nights
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This doesn't necessarily mean that you always need to go to the movie theaters. You can have a makeshift movie theater at home. You could have a backyard theater with pillows and blankets, or have it in your living room, or at a friend's house.
Binge-watch your favorite show or favorite series that you have been waiting to watch ever since school ended. Have fun with it, make some concessions and snacks, or order your favorite food. As long as you're enjoying the time you're spending with your friends, it doesn't matter what you watch.
5. Water Days
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A summer staple is having water days. Whether it's the beach, lake, or pool, water days are an essential part of summer. The water is refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.
The best part of swimming is that later, when you're drying out or eating, it's the absolute best feeling. Spend time with your friends this summer by taking them to the beach or out to the lake. Go to a friend's house, and enjoy their pool, make a day out of it. So take out the inflatables, set up the water sports, and enjoy the pool, lake, or beach this summer!
6. Late Night Drives
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I don't know about you, but I find that late-night drives and adventures bring the best summer vibes. Not knowing where you'll end up at the end of the night makes the summer memorable. For one night, you could just be chilling with your friends in the car, blasting music, and talking all night.
The next, you could end up at a friend's house laughing till you cry, or at a diner eating pancakes and waffles at 1 am. You don't even need to bring your friends if you don't want to. You could drive and park at your favorite comfort spot, and listen to your favorite music. You never know where you'll end up on a late-night drive. But I'm sure it will make your summer even more memorable.
7. Paint & Bake
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Painting is always a great way to grow creatively, even if you're not the best painter or artist. Many crafts are great for beginners and don't require any expertise in the arts. Some crafts have tutorials that guide you step by step, and for others, you can trace or find inspiration from the internet. What I'm trying to say is that anyone can craft, it doesn't have to look perfect.
I've realized that sometimes the most unique pieces of art are made by mistake. After all, you might like the result of your art. But what is art without some snacks?
So, bake some cookies and prepare some snacks to have a more enjoyable time. Painting and baking is whatever you want it to be. As long as you're having fun with your friends and are satisfied with the result, I think this activity is a perfect way to start the summer.
8. Other Outdoor Activities
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If you want to be bold this summer, try some lesser-known summer outdoor activities. Some of these activities include:
- Going to an arcade
- Go-kart racing
- Going to an amusement park
- Bowling
- Mini-golfing
- Bonfires
- Karaoke
- Drive-in theater
- Pottery
- Attending the state or county fair
It doesn't even have to be on this list. As long as you're out there exploring and seeing what's beyond your front door, that's all that matters.
Conclusion
This summer I challenge you to try something new. Go somewhere you've never been before. Make new memories with the same old friends, or even meet up with friends you haven't seen in a long time.
See the sunrise, watch it set. Be open to new experiences and adventures. Because before you know it, you might not get the chance to when school starts. For some of you, this is senior summer, the last summer before the final chapter of high school. For others, this is the last summer before starting college. So stop scrolling on your phone, turn off the TV, and go and make new memories. There's a world out there waiting for you, so go out and explore it!
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