I love summer, don’t you? The longer days, the sunshine, and maybe childhood memories of endless lazy afternoons that just invite us to play.This summer, why not try a few fun activities you haven’t done before?

Become a Tourist in Your Own Town

It’s surprising how many of us have never visited the place in our hometowns that newcomers flock to.
Why not take a day and see your hometown through the eyes of a stranger. Visit a museum you’ve ignored for years, take a guided walking tour, or stop at that quirky roadside attraction you’ve driven past a hundred times.

Attend an Outdoor Movie –Maybe Even Alone

Lots of cities offer outdoor movies in the summer. Why not go? Bring a comfortable chair, a favorite snack, and enjoy the rare pleasure of entertainment under the stars.

Have a Sunrise Picnic

Who thinks about sunrise? I know. Maybe you’re not usually an early bird. But try it! Pack coffee and pastries and watch the world wake up. I love the magical quiet of predawn mornings.

Interview an Older Person

If you have an older relative, this would be fantastic—and record it for your family history! Spend an afternoon talking with someone in their 80s or 90s. Ask all the questions about their first job, first love, biggest mistake, greatest adventure. You’re going to learn so much!

Visit a Cemetery

It may sound odd, but I really like historic cemeteries. To me, they’re beautiful, peaceful places and the headstones often make me think about what that person’s life was like all those years ago.. I like a stroll through a cemetery, to be honest.

Take a “No Destination” Drive

Get in the car and just start driving. Turn where curiosity leads you. Some of the best discoveries happen when you’re not trying to get anywhere.

Learn One Completely Useless Skill

Juggle. Spin a yo-yo. Solve a Rubik’s Cube. Fun for fun’s sake is reason enough. Oh and make sure it’s fun. To you!

Try a Technology-Free Day

Leave the phone behind. No social media or news. No endless doom-scrolling. Or any kind of scrolling. The world becomes much more vivid when you’re actually in it.

Create a Time Capsule

This is actually a great thing to do with kids, too. Gather a few photos, newspaper clippings, notes about current events, favorite songs, and personal reflections. Seal it away and open it five or ten years from now.

Go Cloud Watching

Remember when we used to do this as children? Lie on a blanket and look up. Let your imagination wander. You’ll find it restorative.

Volunteer for Something Unexpected

Help at an animal shelter. Read to children. Deliver meals. Pull weeds at a community garden. Summer is the perfect time to help others.

Revisit a Childhood Joy

Ride a carousel. Eat cotton candy. Fly a kite. Read a beloved book. Watch an old movie. So much joy awaits in reconnecting with something we once loved.

Write a Letter by Hand

I love this one: An actual letter. Tell someone what they mean to you. In a world of instant communication, a handwritten note feels almost revolutionary.

Sleep Outside

This is a fun idea: Whether it’s a tent, a screened porch, or simply a lounge chair under the stars, spending a night outdoors can reconnect us with a sense of wonder.

Make a “Reverse Bucket List”

Write down all the wonderful things you’ve already experienced. It can be a surprisingly powerful reminder of how full your life has been. And a reason for gratitude. What a great thing to do!

Summer .Don’t do more. Notice more. Slow down. Give yourself permission to be curious, playful, and present as the days lengthen and the sun shines.

What idea resonated the most for you?