Most of us are probably longing for summer. We are hoping that all of this is going to be over soon and our lives can go back to “normal.”  However, the wait for summer is shrouded in an air of mystery. To keep the mind from becoming preoccupied with this mystery, hot days of swimming in the pools, sleeping in, staying up late, and the freedom of vacation can be just what the doctor ordered.  Just in case normalcy is slow in its return, I have come up with some fun summer ideas that are safe to do with family and friends, while following social distancing rules, of course.

1. Make a summer bucket list and scrapbook of all the events that happen. Ideas for bucket lists could be, going to the zoo, seeing the ocean, going to a concert or even watching a drive-in movie. 

2. Send handwritten letters to your friends by the postal services (aka snail mail). You could include a drawing, ask about how they are doing, or even send the punchline to a joke in the letters!  

3. Build a fort and watch a movie inside it and/or have a Nerf gun War

4. Cook over a campfire and sleep under the stars

5. Make masks and donate them to the hospitals

6. Go to thrift stores and upcycle the clothing. Upcycling is taking any clothing item that you find and making it new in your own style. You could add a button, trim the length, or combine it with another clothing item. Just have some fun and show off your style!

7. Make homemade ice cream in a bag. This activity is very easy and hits the spot on a hot summer day. Here is a website link on the directions to make some https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54721/ice-cream-in-a-bag-recipe/. 

8. Spend all day reading books! (especially in the fort you built)

9. Spend the day at the lake, but do not forget the sunblock

10.  Take a self-care day. Treat yourself to your favorite movie, a long nap, or even a nice walk in nature. 

11.  Do some yard work. Clean up the garden and make it look nice or mow the lawn.

12.  Go play at a local park.

13. Workout at least three times a week

14.  Volunteer in the community. Ask the local library about their summer programs and/or help clean up the yards of the older folk in your community. 

15.  Tye Dye clothing

16.  Get a summer job and earn some money

17.  Make windchimes out of sticks, washers, and string

18.  Project a movie outside and watch it with the neighbors  

19.  Have a photoshoot. Dress up nice, find an old backdrop and have fun with different poses.

20.  Learn a new skill. Try learning how to build a birdhouse, how to play an instrument, or even how to draw a person. 

As the school year comes to an end, I hope that the worst is leaving the world and the best is yet to come. Remember to still be safe throughout the summer and to follow whatever guidelines are set. Have an awesome summer and give at least one of these a try!