As the school year wraps up, classes end and friends head home for the summer, it’s time for you to navigate your next move. Are you going to take the summer job route or be one of the lucky ones who gets to spend their time off traveling the world? Maybe you’re just taking a summer off to digest your freedom by relaxing. Whatever the case may be, boredom is a common threat to us all as summer arrives. But being the broke college students we are, it can be hard to find exciting activities that sympathize with our empty wallets. To avoid the guilty feeling that your three months are wasting away (and to escape the responsibility of your mom’s never-ending checklist of household chores to complete), check out these 22 cheap ways to stay busy this summer.
1. Convince some friends to go hiking in a nearby state park.
While the prospect of physical exercise may seem like the opposite of fun, once you convince one friend, the rest are sure to jump at this opportunity to adventure.
2. Find a friend with a pool and hit them up.
Instead of binging on old episodes of "How I Met Your Mother" the whole day (which admittedly can be very addicting), go outside and absorb some vitamin D while lounging out with your friends out by the pool.
3. Try your hand at making all the delicious recipes that always pop up on your Facebook feed and make your mouth water.
You don’t have to be Wolfgang Puck or Rachel Ray to attempt these recipes, just follow the instructions and enjoy the fruits of your labor when you’re done!
4. Have a potluck picnic out in your yard or at a nearby park with some of your best friends where everyone brings a different item.
It’s an easy money-saver and gives you an excuse to eat lots of desserts together.
5. Go to a lake if you’re close enough and make a day out of it.
It may not be the beaches of the Bahamas, but it’s a change of scenery and a new place for you to make some really great memories.
6. Find free local music concerts and festivals to attend.
You may not know the artists or bands that are performing, but it’s a chance to get outside and experience live music in a relaxed setting.
7. Go on a bike ride to the closest ice cream shop.
Once you’ve biked off all the calories from lunch, reward yourself with an ice cream sundae or whatever your heart desires. Since you worked out, you don’t have to kid yourself because you actually do deserve it!
8. Arrange a doggie playdate with some of the neighborhood’s furry friends.
Your dog gets exercise and you have a legit excuse for wanting to spend hours obsessing over the cute love bugs.
9. Tackle some of your dream DIYs from Pinterest.
Look through some of the old pins you saved for a rainy day and give them a shot.
10. Make a summer playlist of your favorite songs.
Add friends’ recommendations and establish a collection of the best music that you can jam out to for the rest of the summer.
11. Grab a coffee and bum around Barnes and Noble browsing at the best reads for the summer.
Even if you’re not a big bookworm, it can be fun to just mosey around and taking in the laid back summertime bookstore vibes.
12. Enjoy a movie marathon with your friends.
Pick your poison—romcoms, horror movies, Disney classics—pop some popcorn, put on your favorite PJs and allow yourself to be as lazy as you want.
13. Have a spontaneous dance party.
Let loose and get your blood pumping with this random but laughing-guaranteed activity.
14. Play beach volleyball without the beach!
Bump around a volleyball with some friends in the back yard. You don’t need a net, just a ball, some teammates and a sunny day.
15. Thrift shopping is one of the best ways to brighten up your day.
Bring along some friends and try on some of the most outrageous outfits and you’ll be left with some of the most hilarious memories.
16. Go stargazing on a crystal clear night or a cloudy day when the sun is peeking through.
The sky has so many secrets, and if you let your mind wander, you’ll be surprised at how entertained you can be.
17. Plan a photo shoot.
All you need is a camera, some friends and inspiration in your soul.
18. FaceTime old friends from school.
Summer can seem like such a drag if you’re stuck in the same routine day in and day out. Luckily, today’s technology offers us the ability to easily communicate with our old college pals. Take advantage of this simple opportunity for connection and remind yourself what you have to look forward to when the summer fun finally comes to an end.
19. Visit your local animal shelter and get your animal fix in for the day.
They need love, you need something to do and both parties are much happier by the end of this exchange.
20. Make a big breakfast and invite your best friends over to enjoy.
Better yet, have them come join you in the kitchen to help participate in whipping up perfection.
21. Look through old pictures.
Reminisce in some of your best memories and remind yourself of the good ole days.
22. Plan a stay-cation.
Visit some of your town’s local attractions with your friends and discover something new about each place.
