Simple Ideas for the Summer

You don’t always need faraway vacations and big weekend festivals to make summer memorable. Sure, those things are great experiences. However, a simple summer of quality time, everyday activities, and enjoying the sunshine can still be magical.

Our simple ideas for the summer are great for the warm evenings, the weekends you have nothing planned, and the days when life is busy. Get inspired and make the most of the little joys around you.

Summer Outdoor Challenge

Play bocce ball or another lawn game.
Have a summer cook-off with family and friends.
Go for a scenic bike ride.
Read a book outdoors.
Have a picnic by yourself or with friends.
Organize an outdoor photo scavenger quest.
Go to an outdoor concert.
Attend an outdoor workout class.
Watch the sunset from a scenic viewpoint.
Go for a walk by a lake or river.
Stargaze on a clear night.
Go swimming at a beach or an outdoor pool.
Take photos outside during the golden hour.
Go kayaking or paddleboarding.
Visit the local botanical garden.
Spend an entire day outside.
Go for a scenic drive.
Journal outside.
Visit the local farmers’ market.
Go birdwatching.
Find a wildflower field.
Play outdoor mini golf.
Make s’mores.
Fly a kite at the park.

Get the ‘Summer Outdoor Challenge’ printable here.

Little Ways to Stay Active This Summer

Do some gardening.
Do some stretching before bed every night.
Wash your car by hand.
Meet up with a friend for a game of tennis or basketball.
If taking the bus, get off the bus a stop early (if possible).

Join a sports league.
Join a running club.
Dance while cleaning.
Go for a swim.
Join an outdoor workout group.
Go for a hike on the weekend.
Walk your dog more often.
Use a fitness watch to track steps and activity.
Join meetups at public outdoor places like basketball courts.

Take the stairs when you can (if possible).
Join local outdoor groups, like gardening or volunteering.
Set reminders to move every hour.
Go for a walk during your lunch break.
Sit on a balance ball.
Try a standing desk with a balancing board.
Park further away from your office.
Exercise while watching TV in the evening.
Walk or bike instead of driving, if possible.

Get the Little Ways to Stay Active This Summer printable here.

Summer Conversation Starters

Favorite summer memories.
Places you love to visit during summer.
Your summer bucket list.
Favorite summer activities.
Summer trips you’ve been on or that you are planning.
A memorable road trip.
New things you’ve tried this summer.
The first summer job you ever had.
The best summer adventure you’ve had.
Summer traditions in your family.
Your favorite summer songs.
Favorite outdoor activities in the summer.
The best experiences you’ve had so far this summer.
Your dream summer vacation.
Where you’d go if you could travel anywhere this summer.
Seasonal things you’re looking forward to.
Movies you’ve watched recently that you’d recommend.
Books you’ve read recently that you’d recommend.
Typical indoor activities that are more fun outdoors.
Underrated things about summer.
How you’d spend your summer if you had unlimited time off.
Unique music and arts festivals you want to go to.
Where you’d go if you could drive anywhere right now.
Local summer events.
Water activities you’d love to try.
Favorite ways to enjoy the sunset.
Memorable backyard BBQs and parties.
Favorite summer and outdoor games.
The most unique or interesting place you’ve been camping.
The most unique or quirkiest vehicle you’ve road tripped in.

Get the Summer Conversation Starters printable here.

Summer Walks

Your neighborhood
Hiking trails
Walkable neighborhoods around
Coastal path or beach
Botanical garden
Garden with summer flowers
By a lake
In an orchard
Marina
Along a river
Hedge maze
Public gardens
Street art tour
Forest trail (if safe)
Large shopping area
Museum hopping
Hidden alleyway (if safe)
Local park
State park
State fair
Tourist spots
University campus
Riverwalk through a town or city
Hilltop for sunset

Get the Summer Walks printable here.

Ways to Enjoy the Sunshine When There’s Housework To Do

Ways to enjoy the sunshine even when there's housework to do.

Give yourself consistent outdoor breaks between chores.
Involve the whole family and reward everyone with outdoor fun time.
Make a lighter lunch or dinner you can eat outside on the patio.
Power clean instead of deep clean to get through cleaning quicker.
Make food you can leave unattended for periods of time, like crockpot or slow-cooker recipes, so you can go outside.
Be kind to yourself; some chores can wait.

Air out rugs in the backyard.
Open all windows and doors to let in fresh air and sunshine.
Clean and tidy the side of the house that is facing the sun and then switch.
Fold clothes by an open window.
Open all curtains and dust window sills.
Vacuum in sunny patches first.
Iron clothes in a sunny indoor spot.
Open the kitchen windows when doing the dishes.

Water your outdoor plants.
Sweep the porch, deck, or driveway.
Wash the car by hand.
Use the weather as an opportunity to clean the outside of the house, like the front door.
Declutter, organize, and sort items on the patio or balcony.
Prioritize gardening or tending to plants in the sunny hours.

Organize shoes outside.
Take indoor plants outside to water them, then bring them back inside.
Try to do any organization, mail, or sorting tasks outside on garden furniture.
Use the warm weather as an opportunity to dry more clothes and do the more challenging laundry like bedsheets.
Fold laundry or iron clothes by an open patio door.

Get the Ways to Enjoy Sunshine When There’s Housework To Do printable here.