With the beginning of summer around the corner (the first day of summer is officially Monday, June 20), many Minnesotans, or people from the Midwest have already planned their first trip to the cabin. For many people, going to the cabin is a just a regular part of their summer. Even if someone’s family does not own a cabin, they can easily ask their group of friends and at least one person is bound to have a cabin. If this is not the case, many campgrounds have cabins that people can rent for a weekend. Whether they are renting a cabin or staying at a cabin that has been in their family for decades, here are some fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

1. Tie- dying T-shirts

This crafty activity is fun to do on a nice day outdoors when the tie-dyed shirts can dry in the summer heat. The only things needed for this activity is a white T-shirt and a tie-dying kit, which can be found at most craft stores, like Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michaels, or everyday stores like Target and Walmart.

2. Campfires and s’mores

At the end of a long day up north, there is nothing quite like gathering around a bonfire and making gooey and tasty s’mores. Although the inventor of the classic summer treat is unknown, the complete s’mores recipe first appeared in the 1927 edition of “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.”

3. Paddle Boat Rides

Paddle boats are not only a fun way to get around a lake, but they are also a great alternative to exercise. Similar to riding a bike, the controllers of the boat move the pedals in front of them. If individuals do not own a boat of their own, they can rent them at a recreational center near the lake they are visiting. Most paddle boats can fit two people but there are bigger boats out there that can fit a family of four.

4. Water Balloon Fights

On the hot summer days at the cabin, a fun way to cool off is to have a water balloon fight. Although water balloon fights are family friendly, the action may be too intense for the younger children. It may also be smart to separate the groups playing into similar age team, because a group of 10-year-olds versus their teenaged cousins may be an unfair fight, and it is important to keep these summer activities fun and engaging.

5. Yard Games

Classic yard games like bocce ball, horse shoes and bean bag tossing are perfect outdoor activities for friends and family. These games are easy to set up and can be played as tournaments that can last throughout the weekend, or a quick match before dinner.

6. Fishing

If someone is staying near one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, they are bound to see someone fishing. Minnesota’s fishing season began during the weekend of May 12 with the Governor’s Fishing Opener. Wisconsin's fishing season started on May 7. Fishing is an entertaining summer activity, and it is perfect for people of all ages, as long as younger children are supervised by adults that can help them bait their hooks. Even though fishing requires a lot of patience, the feeling of reeling in that big fish can be quite rewarding.

7. Swimming

Another lake activity is swimming. There is nothing quite like jumping off a dock into a cool lake on a humid summer day. Not only are the lakes refreshing, but the surrounding wooded areas show the true beauty of nature.

8. Bird Watching

Nearly 50 types of birds can be found in the state of Minnesota, and many of them make their way up north for the summer. Many of them, like the Common loon have recognizable calls and are delightful to see in person. Watching out for different types of birds can be a fun activity and it can be simple to make a game out of the activity by trying to see who can spot the most birds.

9. Biking

Minnesota is full of trails and paths that are perfect for any cyclist. Going for a bike ride up north is a way to get up close and personal with the northern woods environment, as long as they remember to bring their bug spray.

10. Hiking

Another way to enjoy the environment of the great outdoors, is by going for a walk or a hike. Minnesota has hiking trails for everyone, from easy going trails for the whole family, to rugged, long distance paths for the expert explorers. Most trails can be found in Minnesota State Parks and Forests.

11. Stargazing

Another positive of staying up north, is the ability to stargaze at night. The lack of skyscrapers and city lights make it easy to see a clear view of the night sky. For a better view of the stars, a pair of binoculars is all you need.

12. Board Games

Minnesota is often known for its unpredictable weather, so when the sudden summer storm appears, a game of Monopoly or The Game of Life is a nice alternative, especially if the cabin lacks cable or internet access.

13. Cabin Scrapbooking

When people go up to the cabin for a certain amount of time, they eventually come to realize that they will have to go back home. One activity to help preserve these cabin memories, is creating a scrapbook. Scrapbooks can be found at most stores, and most of the time, a fancy digital camera is not necessary. Besides pictures and stickers, cabin goers can add pressed wildflowers from up north on scrapbook pages as nice accents for the page. Another thing that is nice for cabin owners, is getting a guest book for the cabin. This is nice for guests who want to thank the owners and write about their time at the cabin, and it is quite cute to see if the children have anything to add to the book.

Even if an individual does not own a cabin, many of these activities can be done at one of Minnesota’s many state parks. Summer is one of the best times to be in Minnesota, so whether people visit a lake or go to a cabin, these activities will help them have a good time and enjoy their summer.