When we think of childhood summers, we think of balmy nights chasing fireflies, walking barefoot on hot sand, and hours of fun that didn’t cost a thing. Just because we’re adults doesn’t mean we have to drop a ton of money to celebrate our favorite season! There are endless activities you can do this summer, and we’ve rounded up ones that you’ll love when you are feeling lazy, want to bask outside, or are in search of an adventure. The best part is they will barely cost you a thing!
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Tara Block
Related: 185 Upcycling Ideas That Will Turn Your Trash Into Treasures
Unsplash / jesseschoff
Sunbathe.
Unsplash / Dana DeVolk
Cook a new recipe with leftover ingredients you have.
Get some recipes using leftovers here!
Flickr user jason gessner
Build an outdoor movie theater.
Unsplash / Deniz Altindas
Create a nature scavenger hunt.
Unsplash / Estée Janssens
Make a scrapbook.
Unsplash / Andre Furtado
Take photos of your favorite things.
Unsplash / Taelynn Christopher
Learn a new skill.
Unsplash / Federico Respini
Watch the sunrise.
Unsplash / photologic
Go swimming.
Unsplash / Jelleke Vanooteghem
Get creative with chalk.
Unsplash / Kari Shea
Try a new workout.
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Play some board games.
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Start a book club.
Unsplash / Razvan Chisu
Go canoeing.
Unsplash / Bryan Burgos
Pick strawberries.
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Pick wildflowers.
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Set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood.
Unsplash / Zafarullah Islam
Collect seashells.
Unsplash / Colin Maynard
Make a bouquet.
Unsplash / Lance Grandahl
Go to the farmers market.
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Find fun shapes in the clouds.
Unsplash / Chaz McGregor
Make a slip and slide in your yard.
Unsplash / Markus Spiske
Have a yard sale.
Unsplash / Mack Fox (MusicFox)
Press flowers to make bookmarks.
Unsplash / Joe Pizzio
Lie out at a pool.
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Window shop.
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Build a sandcastle.
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Go camping.
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People watch.
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Catch butterflies.
Unsplash / Jan Romero
Go on a walk barefoot.
Unsplash / Almos Bechtold
Blow bubbles.
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Take a road trip to the nearest beach or lake.
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Ride a bike.
Unsplash / Boriskin Vladislav
Go fishing.
Unsplash / Helena Sollie
Do a walking tour of your city.
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Practice yoga outside.
Unsplash / Kimberly Mears
Pack a picnic.
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Take a day hiking trip.
Unsplash / Shot by Cerqueira
Go stargazing on a warm summer night.
Unsplash / Stephanie McCabe
Throw a BBQ.
Unsplash / Cole Keister
Watch the sunset over water.
Unsplash / Celeste Horrocks
Play in the sprinklers.
Unsplash / Annie Spratt
Plan your next vacation.
Unsplash / Daan Stevens
Take a nap in a hammock.
Unsplash / Gary Chan
Clean up trash in your community.
Unsplash / Gabe Rodriguez
Dance in the rain.
Unsplash / James Bold
Have a tea party.
Unsplash / Ilnur Kalimullin
Paint outdoor landscapes.
Unsplash / Javiera Argandoña
Feed ducks.
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Make a wish in a fountain.
Unsplash / Juja Han
Paint your nails a bright summer color.
Unsplash / Krys Alex
Try your hand at sculpting or pottery.
Unsplash / Mike Marquez
Take your dog for a walk.
Unsplash / Rosalind Chang
Start a collection of things from nature.
Unsplash / russn_fckr
Paint things around your house.
Unsplash / Nathan Dumlao
Clean out your garage.
Unsplash / Paul Trienekens
Buy ice cream from a truck.
Unsplash / Markus Spiske
Jump rope.
Flickr user Jerry Lai
Catch fireflies.
Unsplash / Alessio Lin
Participate in a scavenger hunt.
Pexels / Pixabay
Try grape stomping.
Unsplash / amirali mirhashemian
Skip rocks at a pond.
Pexels / Breakingpic
Take a walk and listen to a podcast.
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Play flashlight tag.
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Watch fireworks.
Unsplash / Josh Rocklage
Play disc golf.
Unsplash / Daniel Watson
Mow the lawn.
Unsplash / Joshua Hoehne
Play soccer.
Unsplash / Markus Spiske
Plant a tree.
Unsplash / Rogue Photo Media
Camp in your backyard.
Unsplash / Omar Prestwich
Volunteer on a farm.
Unsplash / Aaron Burden
Have a water balloon fight.
Unsplash / Tom Ezzatkhah
Do some gardening.
Unsplash / Elly Johnson
Wash your car.
Unsplash / juan pablo rodriguez
Learn how to juggle.
Unsplash / Sebastian Coman Travel
Go water skiing or jet skiing.
Unsplash / W A T A R I
Take photographs of nature.
Unsplash / Noah Silliman
Play a game of capture the flag.
Unsplash / Leo Rivas
Babysit.
Unsplash / Juja Han
Eat a slice of watermelon.
Unsplash / Murat Ustuntas
Fly a kite.
Unsplash / chazmcgregor