By: Suzanne Kvilhaug
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Even if you’re working full-time, summer still has a vacation-like feel to it until September rolls around. But not everyone can take a dream summer vacation, because of health, money, scheduling, or any one of a hundred other reasons. That’s OK! Lake Winnipesaukee, Martha’s Vineyard, and Yosemite aren’t going anywhere.

The energy of the summer feels less stressful and everything seems lighter. The weather is warmer and the days are longer, making it easier to get out and have fun, without going too far from home. Here are some of our favorite things you can do to make the summer fun, interesting, and memorable.

Hop on a bike

Almost everyone is rusty when it comes to riding bikes. Riding a bike is like…riding a bike. You can’t get more nostalgic than hopping on a bike on a summer day and going wherever the wind takes you. Invest in a great bike, throw on a helmet and start pedaling.

Plant a garden

The first time I ever grew something, my appreciation deepened for both nature and the farmers growing our food. Want to learn how to grow more food at home? Here is what you can plant in June, July, and August.

Teach kids how to run a lemonade stand

Seeing kids running a lemonade stand = nothing cuter. If you’re a parent or have young children in your family, teach them how to run a lemonade stand on the regular this summer. Although I might not drink the lemonade every time, I make sure to purchase it. Nothing excites the kiddos like landing a new customer and who can turn these budding entrepreneurs down.

Start a book club

Nothing beats a good summer book. Start a local book club ASAP and meet often to discuss it all. Keep the social gathering festive and alcohol-free with a refreshing summer mocktail. Too busy to sit and read? No problem, take an audiobook with you wherever you go.

Find all the local fireworks

If you’re into fireworks, your July could be filled with nightly fireworks all over the map. Make it a thing to travel locally to fireworks shows and let the pyrotechnics adventure begin.

Camp out

When I was a kid, I went camping about 20 minutes away from home, and to this day, it is one of my favorite vacations. If you’ve got some local spots near you to camp at, set up shop. If you don’t, see your backyard as the perfect camping spot and bust out the sleeping bags and smores.

Become a stargazer

Dust off your telescope or purchase one so you can become a summer stargazer. If the sky and what’s happening out there piques your interest, here are ten dazzling celestial events to see in 2022.

Learn how to grill plant-based food

Oh yes, you can definitely grill a ton of plant-based food. Eager to learn healthier options to put on the grill this summer? Here are just a few plant-based BBQ ideas to get you started!

Turn a hobby into a side income

Have you been wanting to start making money on the side from something that you love doing? Photography? Food business? Blogger? Health coach? Airbnb host? Whatever it is, use the summer as a time to turn your passion into a little extra cash.

Go for a hike

If you’re not an outdoorsy type, there could be a scenic hike within 45 minutes that’s an undiscovered gem. Do a thorough google search and find hikes or outdoor spots to start exploring.

Build Something

Birdhouses, bookcases, tree forts, and wooden benches just to name a few. From the purely decorative to the fully functional, there are plenty of easy DIY building projects you can take on. An outdoor space is usually the most convenient for things like sawing, sanding, staining, painting, and construction so take advantage of nice days and make something you’ll be able to use long after summer is done.

Shop sustainably

The world of thrifting is a world full of finds and pure joy. I learned about thrifting several years ago and it was truly life-changing. No matter what you need, you’ll eventually find it and the sticker shock will be a positive type of shock because of how low-priced it can be. I can’t get over what you can discover and how much more stylish things are at thrift stores vs. traditional stores. If you want to revamp your closet, go thrifting until you’re happy with your wardrobe. If you want to revamp your home, go thrifting until your home is exactly how you visioned. Need to declutter this summer? Donate to a thrift store!

Summer doesn’t have to be forgettable simply because you’re staying home. Take some of these local adventures and make memories that will last a lifetime.

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