Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop. "},{"name":"Marlisse Cepeda","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/author/4850/marlisse-cepeda/","@type":"Person","description":"Marlisse is the Web Editor of WomansDay.com, and she hails from Bronx, NY. 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Load a telescope, camping gear and supplies into your car for a stay at camping ground with minimal light pollutions and clear views of the galaxy. RELATED: The National Park Service Guide to Stargazing","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/summer-bucket-list-ideas-camping-1526674869.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":51,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Watch a Movie Outdoors","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-51","description":"Movie screens in the backyard are certainly trending. Throw down a blanket, queue up the projector, and bring on the snacks (with no worries whatsoever about spilling!).","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/countryliving/assets/16/30/1469469293-outdoor-movie.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":52,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Volunteer Locally","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-52","description":"Give back to your local community by volunteering your time to a cause important to you. 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We've got 25 scrumptious sweet corn recipes to choose a favorite pick!","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/clx070121fkgrilling-001-1623858408.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":55,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Read a Book in the Park","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-55","description":"Take a break from technology while getting a well-deserved dose of vitamin D. RELATED: Best Summer Beach Reads","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/countryliving/assets/16/30/1469469655-gettyimages-457979781.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":56,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Make a Scrapbook","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-56","description":"Create a new tradition by making a scrapbook to document your favorite summer moments. Take a picture every time you cross something off of your bucket list and add to an album, along with mementos and funny stories.","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/collection-of-instant-film-travel-photos-of-the-royalty-free-image-1718140127.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":57,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Take a Road Trip","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-57","description":"Summer is the perfect time to explore, so hit the open road. Let each passenger pick a place they want to see, an activity they want to experience, or a place they want to eat. Make a rule to always stop at roadside stands!RELATED: Road Trip Stops in Every State You Need to Add to Your List","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/countryliving/assets/17/22/1496428927-road-trip-summer-bucket-list.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":58,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Catch a Sunset","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-58","description":"Even if you don't travel very far, there's nothing like watching the setting sun while surrounded by nature at the end of a long day.RELATED: Summer Quotes to Help You Celebrate the Season","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/countryliving/assets/16/30/1469473923-hike-980.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":59,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Take an Afternoon to Relax","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-59","description":"Grab a new book from your bookcase and head outside on a sunny afternoon to lounge inside a hammock or chair under some shady trees. Enjoy a healthy dose of Vitamin D in your backyard with a good book, a cold drink, and summer snacks nearby. RELATED: 15 Best Hammocks for Backyard Naps, Camping Trips, or Anywhere Else","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/summer-activities-1-6667fbd5466d8.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":60,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Book a Last-Minute Summer Vacation","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-60","description":"Even if it's just for one night, waking up in a new place is the ultimate indulgence following a busy week. Instead of visiting a B&B or hotel, try something a little quirkier, like a renting a tiny house, treehouse, or Airstream. ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/countryliving/assets/16/30/1469631975-north.png"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":61,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Check Out Free Events","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/life/g3537/end-of-summer-activities/#slide-61","description":"Are you still looking for fun summer activities but on a tight budget? Skip staying at home and find free things to do in your local paper or on Eventbrite and Facebook Events. Don't miss free and fun attractions, exhibits, and festivals across all 50 U.S. states that will leave your wallet unscathed. ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/two-female-friends-enjoying-a-farmers-market-royalty-free-image-1718155412.jpg"}}]}}
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It's finally summertime! The best time of the year to step outside to enjoy hot weather, long days, and laid-back vibes that says nearly anything goes during the dog days of summer. As our responsibilities wane and the busyness of the rest of the year goes on the back burner, it’s time to start filling our beautiful days with fun things to do in the summer. If you're looking for options to add to your seasonal list, you’ve come to the right place.
When it comes to things to do in the summer with friends, we love music festivals, free events, cooling off while floating down the river, and volunteering. On the rare day where there’s rain or the weather sours, our favorite summer things to do at home include curling up with a great summer book or relaxing on the sofa with a classic summer movie. (Of course, you can also invite the whole gang over for an ice cream social or to get creative with an exciting DIY summer craft.) Then, of course, there are the once-a-year happenings it’d be a shame to miss out on, such as your local state or county fair.
Our favorite summer activities include going for a swim (or even just floating in an inflatable backyard pool), DIY projects and crafts, long driving on pretty backroads with the top down in a convertible, and—no surprise here—spending time perfecting favorite grilling recipes and no-bake desserts. With our handy-dandy summer bucket list as your guide, this season is sure to be your best one ever!
Discover wonderful summer ideas, recipes, and travel guides to plan the best summer ever:
In this season of outdoor dining, it doesn't get any more relaxed than throwing down some newspaper and gathering around a table for a Carolina-style lowcountry shrimp boil. Don't forget the extra rolls of paper towels!
Whether you plan to hit up outdoor flea markets or that one backroad antique mall that's always been on your bucket list, summer is the perfect time to start a vintage collection. RELATED: Go Antiquing Like a Pro With These Designer Tips
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Check Out Camp Country Living!
Brian Woodcock
If you need to find engaging things to do with your children, browse our inaugural session of Camp Country Living, a virtual summer camp with more than 60 badge-worthy ideas across four categories: Food & Drink, Arts & Crafts, Fun & Games, and Gardening & Outdoor Pursuits. From crafting family time capsules and cooking popcorn on the bonfire to writing fill-in-the-blank campfire songs and making tin can telephones, our unique guide will help with planning an exciting season!
Enjoy a breezy weekend day with a nap outside in your very own backyard hammock. Follow our easy to follow instructions for how to hang a hammock and you'll be relaxing in no time.
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Celebrate Freedom for All
FatCamera//Getty Images
Head to a Juneteenth parade or host a friendly cookout on June 19. Get inspiration to celebrate the important federal holiday with a Classic Gullah Geechee Meal from Michiel Perry of BSB Media (a marketing and content platform for the Black Southern Belle).
Topped with whipped cream or ice cream, fresh from the grill peaches, pineapples, and bananas are a fun alternative to traditional summer desserts.
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7
Fly a Kite
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Grab a set of pretty kites in a local toy store and make your way outside for a "model flight" with your family or friends. If you have little ones, let everyone select a colorful kite to enjoy plenty of airplay in your backyard or a park.
Set up a serve-yourself bar filled with unique ice cream flavors, toppings, and soda pairings, then invite friends over to create their own root beer floats, banana splits, ice cream sundaes and more. RELATED: Best Ice Cream Festivals Across America
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9
Toss Out a Fishing Line
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If you're an outdoorsy person, take a weekend day to pack up your tackle box, favorite lures, and fishing poles for some quality time with a fellow outdoor enthusiasts near the water.
Calling all DIY lovers! Our exhaustive roundup of fun summer crafts includes dozens of easy-to-make ideas, including this cute and functional multitiered herb stand made from a collection of vintage bowls.
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Pick Up New Summer Sundresses
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These easy-breezy frocks are the unofficial outfit of warm weather season. Browse some of our favorite sundresses to find new additional for your dress collection.
Sweet and refreshing, it's no wonder watermelon is considered by many to be the official fruit of summer. Find a new favorite way to eat watermelon with these creative watermelon recipes.
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Go Camping
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Head to a local state park or stay close to home by organizing a camping trip with friends for a fun summer activity. Pack up your tent and best camping chairs, and set out for an adventure in the great outdoors. Try some of these best campfire recipes on a camping stove—you'll be hungry after setting up camp!
Buy a mobile entertainment setup to host a spectacular karaoke gathering at home with family and friends! Fire up the grill and setup in the backyard or on the deck for a long day of singing, esting, and bonding with your circle.
Your local county or state fair is sure to provide fun for the whole family. Where else can you eat funnel cake, ride a ferris wheel, and win prizes while playing games?
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Take a Horse Ride
Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd//Getty Images
Hit the trails for an exciting summer activity—horse riding. Call local equestrian schools or stables for the schedule of classes. Whether you're an experienced rider or never been on a horse, you're sure to find the right guided experience for an adventure on the trail.
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
Marlisse is the Web Editor of WomansDay.com, and she hails from Bronx, NY. She's currently obsessed with newsblogging, Instagramming just about everything, and, of course, Netflix (with wine).
