Summer is my all time favorite season for so many reasons. The sun is shining bright, the ocean temperatures are warm enough to swim in, and the amount of daylight hours extend into the night. I have been told that California natives are spoiled with our weather (I am not denying that), but summertime is by far the best time of year. If you are wondering how to spend the next summer season, here are some budget friendly and fun things to do during summer that won’t break the bank!
Enjoy a beach picnic
You don’t have to convince me twice to throw some things together for a beach picnic! It is a great way to change up the scenery of your kitchen table and instead enjoy a meal in the fresh air. Pack up your picnic basket and head to your local park or beach to relax and indulge in some picnic munchies. Maybe even bring a book or deck of cards to enjoy passing the time.
Make a 4th of July decoration
4th of July tops the list as my favorite holiday. It has all the fun without the pressure of buying gifts. Patriotic Americans will dress up in red, white, or blue; everyone puts out their American flags to wave tall; and the smell of barbecues reaffirms that the summer season has begun. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to create a patriotic craft to display in my home to celebrate the 4th of July. For craft inspo, read my post: How to make 4th of July crafts for home decorations.
4th of July craft ideas:
- Red, white, and blue wreath
- Table centerpiece
- Lawn sign
- 4th of July banner
- Painted wooden firecrackers for tableside
- Painted wooden stars
Go camping
When the weather is warmer, it is so much more comfortable to go on a camping trip. Camping is the perfect way to disconnect from the world and the lack of wifi gives you a valid excuse to not respond to your work emails or text messages. Though camping may not be as glamorous as staying in a hotel, it is a much more affordable option and it will still leave you feeling refreshed after getting in that fresh air.
Tip: plan your camping trip during a meteor shower so you can see the night sky light up at night with shooting stars!
Renew your exercise routine
Summertime means longer days of daylight. What better way to make use of that daylight than to get outside and get some exercise in. I know, I know, exercise may seem like a chore, but just remind yourself of those long dark winter days when you wish you could have gone outside!
Creative ways to exercise
- Try out a new hiking trail after work
- Take a stroll along the beach and watch the sun go down
- Walk to your favorite coffee store and treat yourself to a beverage as your reward
- Find stairs with a view; the view will make it more enjoyable!
- “Play” on the nearby park’s jungle gym. Do pull-ups on the monkey bars, do squats having the slide as your touching point, climb the kiddy rock wall, or simply do laps around the park.
- Try rollerskating in your neighborhood or on the beach boardwalk- it is fun and a great workout. Don’t forget a helmet!
- Sign up for a fun 5k- there are mud runs, bubble runs, and even paint runs!
Host a bonfire
Sitting near a bonfire always takes me back to my high school days when I would get dropped off at the beach to hang with my friends near the bonfire. We would always end up in a sugar coma from the s’mores we ate…and till this day I still over do it. What can I say, some things don’t change.
You can either host a bonfire in your backyard if you have a fire pit or you can snag one at your local beach. Bring a radio to play some tunes, pack some games to play around the fire, and don’t forget the munchies!
Take a road trip
If taking a vacation is not in the budget this year, taking a road trip is the perfect alternative. Road tripping to a new destination gets me out of my bubble and always satisfies a little bit of my wanderlust. Look up nearby national parks to road trip to for the day or maybe you can visit a nearby tourist attraction.
My favorite day trips in Southern California have been to :
- Death Valley
- Calico Ghost Town
- Seaport village in San Diego
- Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles
- The danish town of Solvang
My favorite road trips that have taken up a full weekend include:
For more ideas on where to escape to, you can find more weekend getaway guides here.
Find a drive-in movie
The summer air makes me want to stay outside all day and night. Finding a drive-in movie is one of those things that I love to do to keep the fun going into the night. Drive-in movies are hard to come by nowadays but here is a website you can check out to see if there are any near you: Drive-In Movies Near You.
Can I take a moment to say how I can’t believe there aren’t more drive-in theaters?! Every time I go to a drive-in, the tickets are always sold out and it seems like everyone always has the best time! Make a snack pack to indulge in during the movie, pack some pillows and blankets, and change into your jammies to watch the movie!
Create your own summer cocktail
Fun things to do during the summer doesn’t always require an activity. Sit back and sip on something…the summer heat is calling for a refreshing cocktail or mocktail! Put your mixologist skills to the test and craft up a new drink to enjoy on a hot summer day.
Here are a few cocktail ideas for you to try at home!
- Strawberry Daiquiri
- Summer Sangria
- Grapefruit Paloma
Learn a new water sport
Summer is all about letting your carefree spirit shine! Trying a new water sport will be the highlight of your summer, and who knows, you might make a new hobby out of it!
- Learn to surf
- Try stand up paddleboarding- summer bod here you come!
- Hop on a jet ski
- Go white water rafting
- Head to the lake and water ski
Make homemade ice cream
You don’t always need an ice cream maker to make ice cream at home. An ice cream maker certainly comes in handy and can whip out larger amounts in bulk, but I always make mine the old fashioned way. Rock salt, a coffee can, and the ingredients are all you need. Enjoying ice cream on a warm summer day is the perfect summer activity.
Attend a summer concert in the park
One of my all time favorite things about summer is going to the summer events held by my city. I love going to the free summer concerts they host for the community. Check out your local community center and see what calendar of events they have scheduled. If they don’t have summer concerts, perhaps they host a chili cookout, movie under the stars, or food festival!
Leave a comment!
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I hope this list inspires you to create some fun and find bliss this summer. I would would love to hear what is on your summer bucket list!
7 Comments
What creative ways to spend the summer! I want to go to a summer concert and listen to some music!
Relaxing at the park listening to music is a great way to spend the summer day!
Great ideas to enhance my summer! Especially like the homemade ice cream!
I am so glad to hear that! Homemade ice cream is a perfect treat for summer!
I want to go boating on a lake and also do some very leisurely fishing 🙂
Spending some summer days on the lake sounds like the ultimate summer activity! I hope you catch some fish!
I’m definitely a summer person! Such greT ideas. I feel like the summer is over and I haven’t done anything