Last Updated on June 21, 2024 by Angela Vaz
I absolutely love the summers.
Something about the bright sun invigorates me, or maybe it’s because I’m a Leo.
Either way, if you’re looking for a fun bucket list for this summer or just want to make the best use of your time, this post is for you!
I’ve done every single one of these already, so I assure you you’ll have fun!
You can do most of these activities alone or with friends/loved ones.
Let’s get started!
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1. Try an Escape Room
I think I’ve hit every single one in my city and these are so much fun.
You can go with your partner or with a group of friends and you get to test your problem-solving skills in an escape room.
This particular activity helps you learn to work as a team because you kinda have to work together to solve puzzles and escape before the time runs out.
It’s anxiety-inducing but in a fun way!
2. Attend a music festival
Research and find out if there is a musical festival in your area.
You don’t need people to accompany you.
Just spend the day or weekend enjoying live performances.
Soak up the festive atmosphere, and use this opportunity to try different foods.
You’ll vibe to music, discover some new bands and maybe even make new friends!
3. Organize a backyard BBQ with friends
Because we live in an apartment, my partner and I rented an Airbnb and called a few friends.
We did a lot of research and tried and tested vegetarian recipes for our vegetarian friends.
We set up a speaker and played old country songs.
So, you do need a little bit of planning, but this is such a lovely way to bond with your peeps.
Serve up some burgers and hot dogs and prepare a few meals that are easy to make.
4. Journal
Journaling is something I enjoy doing.
And I’m sure you have some unused notebooks lying around.
If not, get yourself a cute notebook and start writing. It’s never too late to start a journal.
I also got a mini printer (it quite literally fits in the palm of your hand and doesn’t need electricity or ink cartridges) so I can print out my photos and make those memories more special.
Just hop to your nearest cafe or a cafe whose coffee you’ve been meaning to try for a while and journal.
Don’t overthink it. Just pour out your thoughts.
It’s fun!
You can also start a bullet journal!
Don’t know where to begin? Take this fun online course to get started!
5. Visit a brewery
Take a tour of a local winery or brewery and enjoy a tasting session. Learn about the production process and savor different wines or beers.
It will even involve a nice drive because breweries are usually set up in nice, open locations a bit further away from the city.
So, you can go alone or with a few enthusiastic friends.
I took my girlfriends and we had quite a bit of fun. By the end of the tour, we were giggly and it was a memorable trip.
6. Take a yoga class in the park
Join a beginner class if you’re not too athletic or flexible.
I was very nervous, but seeing so many people around me be just as anxious calmed me down.
Practicing yoga outdoors is distracting at first, but it’s very refreshing.
7. Read a book outside
I usually prefer cafes, but if you like sitting in gardens or parks, you can read a good book under the shade of a tree.
You can read a book at the beach.
8. Visit a museum or an art gallery
Museums are not just a pass-time; they’re a learning experience.
It’s a different experience compared to reading a book or watching a video on Youtube.
So, check out the museums or art galleries you have in your town and city and give it a spin!
9. Participate in a charity run or walk
I discovered this on a Saturday morning while I was walking with my girlfriends.
It was such a lovely idea because you’re supporting a good cause and at the same time staying active.
Try it once and see if it’s your jam – it’s a nice way to give back to the community.
10. Take a physical class
I love learning and never shy away from picking up a new skill.
You can check out some physical classes you have around you and join one.
The opportunities are endless. You can either pick up a new skill learning:
- To play a musical instrument
- Some type of defense class
- A wonderful hobby like cooking, baking, drawing, pottery, sewing, etc.
- A new language
This is also a wonderful opportunity to make friends who have similar interests to yours!
Alternatively, you can also check out Domestika. I’m always buying online courses there! They have so many courses in creative fields like knitting, photography, drawing, writing, music, etc., and you can do just about anything!
Pick up a new skill!
I honestly love Domestika because their courses are so beautifully organized, and the resources they provide after every class is so helpful to help you learn better! Not to mention, it’s not expensive. Use STRAYCURLS-10 to get a 10% discount on any course you buy!
11. Go to a farmer’s market
I love checking out organic produce.
It inspires me to eat healthily because I take an interest in cooking my meals, and I end up walking a lot and meeting so many new people.
It’s also a fun way to learn more about small businesses.
12. Learn a new language
If you’ve been planning to visit a country or broaden your skills, why not pick up a language?
Dedicate a few minutes (or a few hours if you’re very serious) to learning a new language, and go for it!
You can download the Duolingo app and plug in your AirPods. Roam the city or take a long bus ride while listening to a podcast in a new language.
You don’t always have to sit indoors to learn.
Looking at trees or people while listening to relaxing podcasts in a new language is a fun way to pass the time.
You can also get some textbooks/workbooks online to help make learning more fun!
13. Hit a workout session
If you’ve meant to get healthy and fit for a while, why not check out some fitness classes near you?
There are so many wonderful and fun options for people who struggle to exercise (me).
Check out everything near you; maybe you’ll discover a fun dance class or workout you’ve never heard of!
One of my closest friends prefers working out in classes because working in a group motivates her to become fit.
14. Plan a trip
If you’ve meant to get out of the house for a while, why not plan a nice weekend trip somewhere?
Plan properly for nearby spots with fun activities for travelers and tourists!
You can take a trip by yourself and just hit reset on your life. Or you can go with your friends/loved ones.
I quite enjoy taking multiple trips in a year (they’re all to nearby places) with my friends, family, and dogs.
If you plan your trip, you’ll also be able to save a lot of money on tickets and your stay there.
15. Go to your favorite restaurant
Take yourself out on a nice date and enjoy a fancy meal yourself. No, it is not weird to eat alone.
It’s a beautiful experience to enjoy your food and order anything you like without worrying about other people’s tastes and preferences.
You can also order a bottle of wine if you’d like.
Learn to enjoy your own company!
You can go with friends too.
16. Feed birds in the park
If you’ve been meaning to do something peaceful, why not go and feed some birds in the park?
It’s very relaxing.
17. Go rock-climbing
Back at my old place, we had an abandoned quarry nearby, and I would love to go rock climbing.
You can also go to an establishment to be safer and rock climb. It’s a hell of a lot of fun!
18. Go for a hike
Check out your local trails and book a hike for yourself.
It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and spend quality time alone.
Spend a day exploring the trails of a nearby nature reserve.
Enjoy the fresh air, look for wildlife, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and plenty of water for a refreshing break along the way.
19. Have a picnic by yourself
Pack some sandwiches, juice, or coffee, and go for a picnic at a place you love.
You can read a book or play a videogame on your portable PlayStation.
Do whatever you feel like – it’s your picnic!
20. Go to a concert
Check out who is playing near you and just go to a concert all by yourself.
My boyfriend would do this a lot when he was in the USA because he loves music and just wanted to have so much fun experiencing it live.
Now, we both go together, and sometimes, we just go with our friends. It’s very memorable.
21. Visit the beach
There is something about visiting beaches that’s very relaxing.
If you don’t have a beach in your city, plan a short trip to the closest beach – it makes it all the more exciting.
Bring your beach chair and plenty of sunscreen.
Enjoy swimming, building fun sandcastles, or just lounging by the waters reading a good book.
22. Go to Ikea
You don’t need to spend all your money in Ikea.
You can go just to get some inspiration to decorate your room or go for an outing.
Spend the day in Ikea, eat their famous meatballs, and get yourself a cute mug for the whole day outside or a functional piece you’ll use every day.
23. Pitch a tent in the wilderness
If you’ve meant to become one with nature, explore the outdoors.
You can plan a camping trip to a national park or a secluded spot in the woods.
Take some smores and have fun!
Once you set up your tent, you can cook meals over a campfire or just spend the night stargazing.
It’s such a lovely way to disconnect and unwind.
24. Give yourself a makeover at the mall
If you’ve meant to get yourself a fabulous makeover, why not go to Sephora and try a new look?
It’s a beautiful way to rediscover yourself and buy new makeup products that work for you.
You can also research and get yourself some skincare.
Use this as an opportunity to reinvent your look!
25. Go kayaking or canoeing on a lake
Rent a kayak or canoe and spend a peaceful day paddling around a local lake.
It’s a great way to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Bring along a picnic to enjoy onshore.
26. Have a spa day
Call a good spa space and book an appointment for yourself.
This is an excellent way to take care of yourself.
A spa will help you eliminate your sore muscles, reduce your anxiety, and make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
You’ll get the best sleep of your life right afterward, too!
This activity can be enjoyed alone or with a close friend/loved one.
27. Do a movie marathon
Has there been a movie you’ve meant to watch for a long time but never made the time to?
Now is your chance.
Go to a movie theatre and watch a movie by yourself or do an entire movie marathon.
I remember waiting to go to see Toy Story 4.
I took my Buzz Lightyear and Woody action figures and watched it all in a theatre – it was a fantastic experience.
You can also do a whole trilogy. My partner and I love doing Star Trek or Lord of the Rings.
28. Visit a botanical garden
I’m grateful to live in a city with a lot of greenery!
Spend an afternoon wandering through a botanical garden.
Admire the beautiful flowers, plants, and landscaping. It’s a peaceful and inspiring way to connect with nature.
You can also get some potted plants for your home.
29. Try Archery
Check out some fun hangouts and see if they have archery.
You can book a whole hour and practice your shooting.
Make it a competition by going with friends!
30. Go to the Arcade
You can do this with friends, or you can do it by yourself.
Check out your local arcades and play a few games close to your heart.
Some of my favorites include shooting or playing hoops.
31. Play with your pup
If you have a pet, you know your pet will never say no to a walk.
You can set aside a whole day for your beloved pet and take them exploring. There are so many pet cafes that love having dogs and cats.
You can also get them some interactive toys! Both my dogs love this interactive puzzle:
So make a whole day of it and pamper your pet thoroughly – they deserve it.
32. Go for a long drive
If you have a car, why not take a long drive and make a solo trip out of the day?
You can stop by a diner or a cafe for brunch and then drive back.
33. Go for an outdoor movie screening
Find an outdoor movie screening in your area, bring a blanket and some snacks, and enjoy a classic film under the stars.
It’s a nostalgic and fun way to watch a movie.
34. Birdwatching
One of the best activities you can do by yourself is bird-watching.
There are so many tutorials online to get started. All you need are a pair of binoculars, and you’re good to go!
35. Fly a kite
You can go to a supermarket, buy a kit and build it yourself before you go to a park and fly it.
This is such a fun way to boost your creativity and unwind!
In India, people even have kite-flying competitions; they’re so much fun!
36. Improve your photography
Just take your phone or camera and hit the road. If you need a starter kit, consider getting this:
Some so many people love being photograph subjects – you just have to ask.
You can also take some excellent nature pictures – whatever floats your boat!
37. Go on an online date
Download a dating app and create a profile.
I met my beau on a dating app called Hinge, and we’re going to complete a year soon!
Online dating isn’t hard.
Just create a fun profile and get started by talking to people. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s the perfect way to get to know someone.
You can meet them for lunch or just have a coffee with them.
The date doesn’t have to be a big steak dinner – just focus on meeting new people.
38. Go paddleboarding
There are so many water sports you can try out if you’ve meant to try something new.
Research them on Google or look for spots in your city or town where you can get some first-hand experience!
39. Attend a food truck festival
This is honestly one of my all-time favorite hobbies.
If you’re a foodie like me, please do this – I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself so much!
Check out a food truck festival in your area.
Sample a variety of cuisines from different trucks (just don’t mix too many foods because it can cause an upset tummy), enjoy live music, and soak up the lively atmosphere.
40. Explore a new city!
Choose a city you’ve never visited and spend the day or weekend exploring.
Visit museums, try local restaurants, and walk through different neighborhoods.
It’s a fun way to experience new sights and cultures.
I like hitting all the local cafes, I’ll do research on Google and visit them based on reviews.
It’s genuinely so much fun!
41. Volunteer at a charity
There are so many people out there who would benefit from your time. Why not volunteer at a local charity?
You can even take a box of some canned foods and clothes to a local center for the homeless.
You can even spend some time volunteering to help you familiarize yourself with people and make them happy.
We even have dog shelters here where we can sign up and help out for the whole day.
Check your animal shelters as well and see if this is an option!
If you’ve been wondering what to do with your extra cash, you can find charities online and donate to them to help a cause that is close to your heart.
42. Play badminton
Find out if people are playing near you.
Just book a slot and have fun playing with random strangers. It’s quite an exciting sport!
43. Enjoy nature
Enjoying nature is something that is best done alone, in my opinion.
You can watch squirrels, birds, and little critters doing their business or admire the flowers and trees and breathe in the wonderful scents around you.
It’s a very mindful and beautiful activity.
44. Visit an Art fair
In Bangalore, we have something called Soul Sante.
It’s a fair where we learn about new artists and buy so much merchandise.
Do some research and find out when the next art fair is being held in your town, and go!
You can talk to so many artists and small business owners and you’ll make genuine connections.
45. Go to an amusement park
I love amusement parks.
I am a sucker for hotdogs and popcorn. And I genuinely love just looking at other people playing and having fun.
It brings me joy and makes me realize that we are all children.
It’s a happy place that you can go to any time!
46. Have a game night with friends
My partner and I collect board games.
It started small with Splendor and UNO, and now we’ve made it a big part of our lives.
Hosting game nights is a whole event – we do it on Wednesdays. We either do a potluck, or everyone orders their food, and it’s very immersive.
You don’t realize how time flies when you’re competing with each other, trying to win.
If you don’t have many friends, look up board game events in your meetup app and join them to see if you enjoy it.
47. Take a cooking class
By now, you’d have figured out that I love food.
Cooking classes are so much fun!
Sign up for a cooking class and learn to make a new dish or cuisine.
It’s a fun and educational way to improve your culinary skills.
48. Attend a sports game
Cheer on your favorite team at a live sports game.
Enjoy the crowd’s excitement, the action on the field, and the overall atmosphere.
If you want to enjoy the game in a quieter setting, go to a pub and chill with a few friends while the game plays in the background.
In India, cricket is a huge deal.
And although I’ve never been into sports, it’s a lot of fun when you’re enjoying it with your loved ones – it helps you bond!
49. Host a potluck dinner
Invite friends and ask them to bring their favorite or traditional dish.
During the dinner, have everyone share the sentiment behind the food – this is a fun way to learn about your guests and bond with them.
Additionally, you can play some fun games like Exposed or Cards Against Humanity.
My friends and I had A TON OF fun playing this game at our little house-party.
Please get the family-friendly version if you have children/teens in the group.
50. Visit a flea market or antique shop
Browse a local flea market or antique shop.
You never know what unique treasures you might find.
I usually go with my partner’s mum because she likes looking for old treasures.
51. Take a dance class
This gives you such a rush; I’m not even kidding!
Sign up for a dance class, whether salsa, swing, or ballroom. It’s a fun way to learn new moves and meet new people.
This is the only exercise I love because I don’t realize how time flies!
52. Go to a comedy show
I enjoy attending stand-up comedy occasionally.
Laugh the night away at a live comedy show.
Enjoy the performances of stand-up comedians and the lively atmosphere of a comedy club.
You can also watch some of their work on Youtube if you want to make sure that you’re going to have fun.
53. Try gardening
Spend some time in the garden.
Whether it’s planting flowers, vegetables, or herbs, gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic activity.
If you live in an apartment, you can have a mini-garden in your balcony. It helps you become more creative.
I enjoy growing herbs like Basil or Corriander that I can use for my cooking.
54. Visit a science center or planetarium
Explore the wonders of science at a local science center or planetarium.
It’s a fantastic way to learn and it honestly makes you appreciate how far we’ve come as human beings.
55. Go to a local theater production
Support local arts by attending a theater production.
Enjoy a live performance of a play, musical, or opera.
56. Have a beach volleyball game
Because the beach is too far away from us, we rent Airbnb and play volleyball in the pool.
But either one works fine.
Get a few friends and plan this event – it’s a lovely way to enjoy the summer!
57. Take a pottery or art class
Get creative, join a workshop.
You’re not going to anticipate how peaceful and enjoyable this is.
I love trying out new things. I’ve attended an art class and occasionally attended knitting workshops.
Take a friend with you if you’re feeling nervous.
58. Go zip-lining
My partner has done it while I watched from the sidelines.
I’m not too fond of heights.
But if you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is something you can try!
Experience the thrill of zip-lining through a forest or over a canyon
59. Go snorkeling or scuba-diving
You might have to visit an island depending on your location.
But the good news is, you can also become a certified scuba diver if you enroll for some classes.
It’s a fun experience, and it’s something everyone should do because you get to discover a whole lot of colorful fish, coral reefs, and marine life.
You learn so much and it’s priceless.
60. Go to a rooftop bar
You don’t need to drink alcohol if you’re not comfortable.
You can simply enjoy the company of your friends and laugh over good times.
Enjoy the good view and relax in luxury – it’s a lovely way to spend a summer evening.
61. Try para-gliding or hanggliding
Experience the thrill of flying with paragliding or hang gliding.
It’s an exhilarating way to see the world from above.
Again, I’ve not done this, but my partner has, and he says he can’t wait to do it again.
Conclusion
I hope this post helped give you many ideas for things to do outside in the summer.
Have fun and be safe!
More importantly, it allows you to experience many beautiful things by yourself and truly take it all in.
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