Summer is great. The kids are out of school, the weather is hotter, there seems like there’s nothing to do yet for some reason, your to-do list keeps growing longer and the day seems never to end.
Unfortunately, nowadays, the majority of people would rather spend their days inside with the air conditioning blasting on high. If you’re not a parent, you might have your own plans on how to spend your summer days, and that’s ok, but for those of us with children…
Let’s just say it’s not the most spontaneous thing watching your kids spend the whole day watching TV and playing video games till their minds grow numb.
No matter how busy you are (parent or not), here are just a few activities to help you kick off the summer and keep you hustling.
Go on a hike
Why not, right? The weather is perfect for this particular activity, and your friends have been begging you to spare a day and join them on some new trail they discovered!
Fortunately, this is a beautiful family activity, as well.
Even if you’re a fitness enthusiast, nature will always have the upper hand when it comes to getting a workout in. The best part (for me at least), you can include your dog. Not only that, but hiking requires little to no equipment! It’s an excellent experience for the little ones, the sights you’ll see are remarkable, and getting to be all around that greenery and fresh air is stimulating and very rejuvenating!
Set up a camping trip
I remember as a child; I never had to think about planning a camping trip, because hello, ‘that’s what mom was for.
But now, being a mom myself, I had to learn how to do all that myself.
First, acknowledge that camping is possibly the best thing in the whole world. You get away from whatever life ‘you’ve got going on; you get to spend quality time with your family and friends, you uncover new things such as fishing, setting up a tent, and even building a fire. If that’s not enough, you will also get your daily dose of Vitamin D, peace of mind, the sounds of nature, and of course, the second-best possible thing in the world…S’mores.
For more information on setting up your very own camping trip, click here.
Spend the night at the beach
By night, I do mean: get there in time to watch the sunset and the sky fill with orange, red, violet hues and gaze in awe at the jaw-dropping beauty that is our planet.
If you thought meditation was good for the soul, try stargazing at a beach in the middle of the night. The sound of the waves coming and going, the crisp night air filling your lungs, and the smell of the ocean decluttering your mind. This is one of those spurs of the moment plans. You can bring a sleeping bag or set up a tent, and that’s it!
Visit an Amusement Park
Growing up in SoCal, this was our thing. Our family would at least hit three amusement parks a week. Despite long lines and the expensive food (we eventually started sneaking in our own), the atmosphere encompassing an amusement park makes you feel giddy all over. If rides aren’t your thing, then that’s fine. You can still join in on the fun because now, several parks offer entertainment, plays/shows, and tours.
If it’s too hot for roller coaster rides, then find the nearest water park in your area. Whether you’re going with friends, family, or by yourself, it’s a smart and exhilarating way to cool down.
Build your very own waterpark
Yes, you read that right, you can build a waterpark right in your backyard. If you’re looking to save money, invent something new, and be in the comfort of your own home, then this is the activity for you. The best part about this activity is that you can have your little helpers give you a hand so they can keep busy, as well. It’s all part of the fun experience before setting everything up and enjoying the ride.
If you need help getting started, click here.
Learn something new
I get it. School’s over, and we want to have fun only. I don’t mean to be that person-especially since it’s summer- but learning something new is fun.
You don’t even have to sign up for a class or get up early or make it feel like a responsibility. Learning something new could be as simple as perfecting a recipe or as complicated as learning a new language.
Granted, you will not learn a new language in 3 months, but getting started is what counts.
Seriously, it could be anything! Two summers ago, I learned how to rollerblade, and now I practice it religiously. My point being, you never know what your next addiction could be, so why not?
For a list of fascinating and inspiring things to learn this summer, head on over here.