Ah, summer. For me, this is the peak of the year: The golden sun, carefree mood, longer days, and boundless opportunities for discovery and play — what’s not to love? (Confession: I even like the heat.)

Summer brings out my inner sense of joy and natural curiosity. Picnic in the park? Sure! Impromptu beach day next weekend? Yep, sign me up. A literary reading at an indie bookshop followed by happy hour spritzes at a French bar? My friend, you don’t even have to ask. 

“The golden sun, carefree mood, longer days, and boundless opportunities for discovery and play — what’s not to love?”

While this all sounds dreamy and quite social, the truth is I could stand to benefit from some out-of-the-box ideas when it comes to soaking up every drop of the season. Admittedly, it’s easy to fall into the same plans week in and week out (regardless of the time of year!). And some summer days, especially for those with extended time off or with children at home, can lend themselves to a malaise for which activities are the only cure.

Below, you’ll find 99 activity ideas for self-discovery, play, and even self-care. As you explore these activities, think about how each one can help you connect with your most imaginative, laid-back, and inspired self. 

And if you don’t see some of your favorite summer pursuits here, please share with us in the comments! ☀️

Solo ideas

1. Put on some sunblock, put on a new playlist, and take a big ol’ walk. (Don’t forget a water bottle!)

2. Explore a botanical garden.

3. Sign up for a low-impact outdoor fitness class like T’ai Chi.

4. Volunteer at a local food bank or animal shelter.

“Explore a botanical garden.”

5. Declutter items that no longer serve you and have a sidewalk sale.

6. Watch a sunset or sunrise.

7. Join a CSA and make fresh bowls or leafy green salads with seasonal ingredients.

8. Get lost in a summer read, branching out from your go-to genre.

9. Admire a summer rainstorm.

10. Give yourself a project, like snapping photos of the simple pleasures that help you enjoy summer.

“Give yourself a project, like snapping photos of the simple pleasures that help you enjoy summer.”

11. Unplug from social media and electronics to give yourself a much-needed break.

12. Try meditation — preferably on a hammock.

13. Start a 30-day workout challenge with Pilates, yoga, walking, or running.

14. Set intentions during the full moon.

15. Perform a random act of kindness with zero expectations.

With friends, dates, or partners

16. Take a sunset hike together.

17. Visit a new outdoor cafe or eatery you haven’t been to before.

18. Plan a weekend escape (or day trip!) to a beach or lakeside town.

19. Go stargazing. (Pro tip: Use this app to find constellations.)

20. Spend the day at a wildlife or animal sanctuary.

21. Enjoy a free movie in the park. Most towns offer something like this in the summer months, or try rigging up a backyard projector.

22. Road trip to a new-to-you town or city. It doesn’t have to be far.

“Road trip to a new-to-you town or city. It doesn’t have to be far.”

23. Dance the night away at an outdoor concert or music festival.

24. Shop at a local farmers market and cook a meal with what you find.

25. Play music and have the ultimate jam session.

26. Enjoy seasonal fruit — like strawberries or peaches — at a fruit stand or a U-Pick farm.

27. Watch a sporting event. Local minor baseball leagues can be lots of fun.

28. Plan a themed brunch. (Costumes optional!)

29. Make a night of it at the drive-in movie theater with popcorn and fizzy drinks.

30. Go thrift shopping and pick out an item for each other.

31. Scope out some vineyards and go wine tasting.

32. Expose yourself to a new type of cuisine you’ve never tried.

33. Ride the Ferris wheel at a street fair or carnival.

“Ride the Ferris wheel at a street fair or carnival.”

34. Share a classic summer dessert like a milkshake or ice cream sundae.

35. Make a trendy TikTok or Reel just for fun.

36. Gather on a porch or deck and discuss life, dreams, and future goals.

37. Watch fireworks on a summer night.

38. Sign up for an event or class — anything from a book launch to a hip-hop dance class or a mushroom foraging group — and make a new friend.

39. Pick a bench and people watch.

40. Throw a fundraiser for a good cause.

41. Picnic at the beach or park with snack boards, wine, and dessert.

42. Play basketball or tennis on public courts. Pro tip: You can often rent sporting equipment from local stores!

43. Beach comb and take home a shell or rock that speaks to you — but be careful you aren’t taking any creatures or disturbing the ecosystem!

“Go to a bar with live jazz and enjoy drinks al fresco.”

44. Go to a bar with live jazz and enjoy drinks al fresco.

45. Gallery hop and peep the latest art exhibitions.

Sports and games

46. Join a soccer league.

47. Two words: Beach volleyball. Find a pick-up game near you or bring your own supplies to the shore.

“Two words: Beach volleyball.”

48. Go on a scenic bike ride. (Rent a bike, if you don’t have one handy!)

49. Swim in a community pool.

50. Learn a new sport like surfing or roller skating.

51. Strengthen your problem-solving skills and play chess in the park.

52. Have a blast at mini-golf.

53. Walk a 5k — and then work up to running it.

54. Go tubing or kayaking at a body of water near you.

“Have a blast at mini-golf.”

55. Plan a day of geocaching.

56. Try pickleball or squash, if you haven’t yet.

57. Hit up the go-kart track. Or stick to bumper cars if you don’t have a need for speed.

Kid-friendly ideas 

58. Whip up some DIY popsicles.

59. Spend a night camping in the backyard with s’mores.

60. Organize a lemonade stand.

“Organize a lemonade stand.”

61. Watch fireflies (but be mindful if you plan to catch them in jars!).

62. Draw with chalk on the driveway or the sidewalk.

63. Unlock your imagination with face painting.

64. Be wow’ed: Do a STEM-related experiment. Mentos and Diet Coke geyser, anyone?

65. Plan a summer-themed scavenger hunt.

66. Help kids learn how to cook with a pizza-making party.

67. Cool down and run through water sprinklers.

68. Brew sun tea.

69. Plant or purchase herbs to grow in a garden, pot, or on your fire escape.

“Plant or purchase herbs to grow in a garden, pot, or on your fire escape.”

70. Learn how to make fresh ice cream.

71. Design the ultimate sand castle.

72. Fly a kite. A severely underrated activity!

73. Mentor a kid through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Mentoring can begin at the age of 18.

74. Write letters to future versions of yourself.

75. Build a fort with pillows and blankets.

Arts and crafts

76. Unleash your inner child and make lanyards.

“Host a DIY party with friends where each guest brings instructions and supplies for a project.”

77. Not sure what to craft? Host a DIY party with friends where each guest brings instructions and supplies for a project.

78. Go to a bead store, pick out your favorites, and make friendship bracelets.

79. Thrift white tee-shirts and tie-dye ‘em.

80. Dry flowers or press them in a book.

81. Watercolor paint, collage, draw, or try a new artistic medium like modeling clay.

Cooling off indoors

82. Explore your local library or visit one in a city. Check out the other media they have besides books.

83. Have a spa-themed staycation.

84. Go see current exhibitions at a museum. Bring a sketchbook and draw the pieces that inspire you.

85. Get creative in the kitchen with some tasty no-bake desserts.

“Get creative in the kitchen with some tasty no-bake desserts.”

86. Host a game night. (Bonus points if it doubles as a potluck with yummy mocktails.)

87. Learn a new skill like crocheting, coding, or even calligraphy.

88. See a double feature at the movie theater or watch a full season of a new (or old!) show.

89. Build an epic puzzle.

90. Make summer playlists on your favorite streaming service.

91. Pull a few tarot cards and journal about them.

92. Set a personal or special goal to accomplish by summer’s end.

93. Give yourself a manicure or try some simple nail art.

94. Have a dance party in the living room. Might we suggest oldies?

“Have a dance party in the living room.”

95. Take a midday break to do some stretches. You’ll feel so good after.

96. Go to a talk at a library, museum, or cultural institution.

97. Memorize a poem.

98. Redecorate a room in your home.

99. Plan your dream vacation, even if you aren’t taking it this summer.

Stephanie Valente is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a copywriter and editor covering wellness, commerce, lifestyle — and more — for publications like Brooklyn Magazine. Based in Brooklyn, she’s often writing poetry, getting lost in a book, or hanging out with her dog.