Fun in the Sun- Ten Activities to Try this Summer

Written by Maureen Lynch

Who is ready for summer break? I know I am. If you guys are anything like me, you are already planning out all the things you want to do over break. I know most people will be going home to jobs, or babysitting, or what have you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some time for yourself! So, while you are counting down the days, I wanted to share with some fun summer activity ideas that are cheap and won’t take up your whole day.

1. Go for a hike/walk!

This is a completely free activity, especially if you are just taking a stroll around the neighborhood. If you want to go out somewhere, state parks are great places to go even if you have to pay to park. So, grab your friends or family and walk in the park. If you want to make a day trip out of it, you can make a picnic.

2. Make a photo album!

For those of you who are a little more creative, and are looking for a project, take some pictures. It gives you an excuse to plan some fun things to do with friends, and it’s an easy hobby to pick up and put down as you please. If you don’t feel like buying a photo album and printing pictures, there is always Instagram!

3. Go camping, even if its just in your own backyard!

I am not a big fan of camping, but I do think if its your jam, it’s a great way to get out of the house for a few days. Take some friends and camp go on a little camping trip this summer. If you aren’t that adventurous (and you have plenty of bug spray) you can set up camp in your own backyard. You can sleep under the stars with your friends, and if you get bored, you can always just move the party inside.

4. Create a Summer Reading List!

If you are not super outdoorsy and you love books, why not create a summer reading list? I loved these as a kid, and reading is a great way to keep your mind busy without even leaving the couch. If you aren’t a big reader, you can make a summer movie list!

5. Draw on the sidewalk!

Sidewalk art is always a fun activity, and chalk is decently cheap. If you are feeling creative this summer, you can head over to Michael’s and spend the afternoon decorating your driveway. If you do decide to do this, definitely take a picture and share it! I am not an artistic person, so I will be interested to see if any of you come up with a cool design.

6. Have a cookout!

This is an idea for all the foodies out there. If you feel like trying your hand at the grill, a cookout is a great way to get your friends together. If you don’t want to do all the cooking yourself, you can always make it a potluck! I am trying to get better at cooking, so this is going to be something I try. If you don’t really want to cook anything, you can always make a fire and do s’mores!

7. Go to a museum!

I know, its summer and no one wants to do anymore learning, but going to a museum is a great break from doing nothing. I have great memories of going to museums with my family over summer break, and its still one of my favorite things to do as an adult.

8. Become a Local Tourist!

If you are getting bored of your hometown, you can always take a day trip. Driving to the next town over, or a town you don’t usually frequent could be a fun way to change up the scenery. I love going to bookstores with my friends in the summer around the state. If books aren’t your thing, you can always find a new restaurant to try, or take a walk on the beach.

9. Go Geocaching!

Geocaching, for those who are unfamiliar, is an outdoor recreational activity where you use GPS to find hidden treasures. Its like a massive scavenger hunt! You can get a geocaching app in any app store for any device, or even look up local sites on the computer.

10. Learn a new skill!

Last year, I took my own advice and learned how to apply makeup. I had been looking to step up my makeup game, and I finally took the time to do it. Learning a new skill is a nice summer project, and it doesn’t have to be something intense. Maybe try your hand at origami, or journaling, or baking, whatever. Just have some fun with it!

I hope everyone has a great rest of their semester. Look out next year for new posts from Le Provoc and if you are interested in joining the staff, reach out to me at my Assumption email. Good luck on finals and don’t forget to have fun this summer!