Wow, the weather in SoCal has been sooo nice recently!! As the weather continues to heat up, I think we’re all wishing for a normal summer. Even though that isn’t the case, there are still so many things we can do that are safe and fun, so I came up with a list of 10 summer social distancing activities! When this all started it was still cold outside, and quarantine activities included baking bread and fixing up our homes, but now the sun is out, the weather is warm, and I wanted to give you guys some new ideas. Keep reading to see the list!
10 Things To Do During Summer Social Distancing
While this summer will be very different than most, I am still sooo happy that it’s warmer out and summer is here! Despite this new reality, there really are a bunch of fun summer activities you can do while social distancing. Whether it be from the comfort of your own home or outdoor activities {following safety precautions and social distancing guidelines}, these activities can help make this summer feel normal and just as fun as any other!
Here is my list of ten activities:
1. Have a picnic: Honestly, I loooove picnics! They’re so fun and enjoyable. Not only can you picnic anywhere {a local park, the beach, your backyard, or even your front lawn!}, but it’s the perfect excuse to gather all your favorite snacks and drinks {wine and cheese please!} and spend some quality time with friends or family outside. Snag yourself a cute picnic basket and a nice blanket and you’re picnic ready!
2. Go to the beach: Many beaches are open and are enacting safe social distancing measures. Keeping six feet apart on the beach is very doable! Vitamin D is so good for you and the ocean is so therapeutic, so grab your beach bag, sun hat, some sunscreen, and enjoy that sunshine!
3. Hiking: Again, this is a public activity but can still be done super safely. A lot of state park hiking trails are open with requirements of keeping a safe distance from others. So get online and check out your local hikes and see their requirements, because hiking is such a great way to get outdoors and get some exercise. Oh and make sure to bring some water to stay hydrated! Water bottles that keep things cold are great for hiking, like this one!
4. Backyard Campout: If any of you guys are missing going camping this year, don’t fret, your backyard is your new campground! If you don’t already have a tent, you can order some pretty reasonably priced ones online, like this one here. Camping is another super fun way to spend time with family and friends. Augustine has been talking nonstop about going camping with Matthew so I’m looking forward to them planning something in our backyard! Plus, if he doesn’t love it, he can always finish the night off in his own room!
5. Summer cooking: While I do love baking bread, I think it’s time for some more summery meals. Summertime cooking can be so fun, try things the kids will like, like homemade popsicles, slushies, lemonade, or even ice cream! While there are ways to make ice cream without one, I think investing in an ice cream maker is so worth it. I got mine last summer and used it all the time!
6. Start a garden: For all the tips on starting a garden, check out my past blog post here! It’s so great to have some fresh produce right in your backyard and can be a simple but fun activity to start doing! We’ve been harvesting lots of kale lately and our tomatoes are almost getting ready to pick, too!
7. Revamp your home: It’s time for some summer decor! Redecorating and rearranging your home really feels sooo nice and gives you a fresh start. I recently talked about summer decor in another post, check it out here!
8. Drive-in movie theater: Some of us may not have a drive-in movie theater nearby, but if you do, it seems like a perfect way for a summer movie night outside of the house while still keeping safe. Doesn’t it feel so fun and old-fashioned, too?? If a drive-in movie theater isn’t close to you, a dedicated movie night during summer is still just as fun. You could also get a projector and display a movie on your wall, inside or outside, for more of a movie theater effect!!
9. Have a bonfire or campfire: This ties into previously mentioned activities, but beach bonfires or camp fires just make me think of that classic summer. You can roast some marshmallows and make s’mores with the kids, sit around and tell funny or scary stories, and just enjoy being outside! For marshmallow roasting, you could always go with the classic stick method, but you could also invest in some store-bought roasting sticks so you can reuse them!
10. Start a summer reading list: Having some good books to read while at the beach or picnicking is really nice! It’s also just a great relaxing activity for when you have some free time! Right now I think it’d be great to read books that would help educate me on the systemic racism in our country and to further my commitment to allyship. I’ve heard so many recommendations for How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
SHOP SUMMER ACTIVITY ESSENTIALS
What are you guys planning to do this summer? Any other summer social distancing ideas? I’d love to hear them!
xox
photos by Vanessa Lentine
