Summertime Fun

It’s officially Summer!!! My favorite season of the year. I realize it’s hot and a lot of people don’t actually enjoy it, but I absolutely love it. The only thing I do not like are the bugs. Ugh. I hate bugs. Butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, and rollie pollies do not count. Summer nights are just as great as summer days, in my opinion. I’m up anyway most of the time.

What about you? Do you enjoy summer? There’s just a lightness (no pun intended) to this season. Summer is the time for adventures. To help you embrace summer, here are some things to do. Mini-adventures if you will.

Splash Pads

If you’re looking for something to do this summer that is free, look no further than your local splash pad. You might have to do some research to find one in your area, but they’re usually located in or near parks. There might even be more than one!

I realize splash pads are seen as more for kids, which is great if you have kids and need something to do, but don’t let that stop you from getting a group of friends together and letting your inner child out!

Get a Tattoo

No I don’t mean a real one, unless you want to then totally go for it. I’m talking about an airbrush or henna tattoo. I’ve had both over the years and I enjoy them. Both airbrush and henna last between one and four weeks.

In my experience, the biggest difference is in colors. With airbrush there’s more color choices while henna tends to look like your basic tattoo colors: black, red, or brown. Also, more than likely you’ll have to go to a venue to get an airbrush tattoo. Many water parks or street fairs will have at least one airbrush tent. Henna is easier to come by as you can buy the ink and stencils off of Amazon.

Visit the Beach

It doesn’t have to be an ocean beach, though that is my favorite. Spending a weekend at a river or lake with friends is a great summer adventure. Whether you go camping or go all in together on a water-side cabin, visiting the beach is always a summer must-do.

Have a Backyard Party

Call up those friends and have a backyard get together. With July coming up, fireworks will start popping up everywhere. Buy a few boxes of sparklers and have some nighttime fun with them. You know those plastic kiddie pools they sell for cheap at the store? Buy some of those and give you and your guests somewhere cool to chill. They work great especially if you don’t have room for a full size pool. Another idea is to have a water balloon/water gun fight.

The point of the party is to have fun enjoying summer with your friends. Don’t stress too much over it, just have fun!

Get a Membership

If you have kids and you can afford it, get a membership at a Zoo, Aquarium, or Water Park. It may seem pricey, but if you actually use it regularly then it ends up paying for itself. One of my favorite things as a kid was when my dad and I would go to the Water Park. We went every weekend I was with him during the summer so our season passes were well worth the money.

This year we got memberships to the Zoo. All four of us love going and it’s an annual membership not a season pass. That membership already came in handy the other day when storms knocked our power out for an entire day. We just loaded up in the morning and spent the day wandering around the zoo. It was hot, but we discovered there was a little splash river thing in the children’s section to help cool us all off.

Drive-In Movie

Have you ever been to a drive-in movie? We had one in my hometown and it was another favorite summer activity of mine. Unfortunately Drive-In Movies are not as popular as they used to be and it may take some research to find one in your area. If you are able to find one, go! Seriously, just do it for the experience if nothing else.

Take Lots of Photos!

No matter what you do this summer make sure you take a lot of pictures. Summertime is for making memories and what better way to document those memories than with pictures? You don’t have to upload them to social media, either. Rather, print them out and create a special photo album documenting your summer.

Drive with Your Windows Down

I know what you’re thinking: Who in their right mind would drive with their windows down in 90+ weather? The answer is me, and maybe you.

Listen, you’re already gonna be hot and need to take a shower, right? Blast the AC for all I care (it’s what I do sometimes) just roll the windows down, turn your music up, and enjoy that summertime freedom. That’s what it’s about.

Make Friendship Bracelets

Juvenile? Maybe, but it’s also fun. Thread is pretty cheap, too, and there’s a bunch of tutorials on the internet to follow if you’ve never made one before. I got back into making friendship bracelets a few years ago and I had so much fun. I prefer to wear mine as an anklet, though.

You can get some friends together or just make them yourself to give to your friends. I’ll admit the former will probably be more fun than the latter, but the point is to include your friends in some form.

Visit a Park You’ve Never Been To

Since it is summer, this could be a morning activity. Whether it’s a National Park or a regular one, go exploring!

Most local parks have fields that are perfect for a pickup game of soccer, baseball, or touch football with friends. If you are visiting a local park, depending on how busy it is, don’t be afraid to act like a kid and play on the playground! Don’t forget to get ice cream or a snow-cone afterwards!

Try Something New

Whether it’s visiting a new place, trying out a new hobby, or eating something you’ve never tried before, let this summer be the time you do it. Get out there and explore the world around you!

How do You enjoy Summer?

What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Do you prefer summer nights or days? Swimming or stargazing?

Happy Wednesday!!