Here are 50 creative pastimes to fill your days for the remainder of summer.
One day at work, I asked my students what I should write my next article about. The initial answers were sharks, or imaginary dragons that eat fish, or the brain. Fortunately, I decided not to write about any of those topics. Instead I used their extraordinary brainstorming talents to help me think of a list of 50 things to do during the summer that doesn’t include TV or computers. When I first threw out this topic idea, one of my brighter students pointed out that I had been on my computer for the last hour. Nevertheless, we had a lovely time making this list, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed making it.
1. Read a book.
2. Take a walk.
3. Learn to play an instrument.
4. Go on a run.
5. Go to the zoo.
6. Pick peaches at Wind Drift Orchard in Harrah, Okla.
7. Attend an outdoor concert.
8. Ride a bike.
9. Knit a sweater, scarf, or blanket.
10. Go to the pound and (maybe) adopt a pet.
11. Build a fort.
12. Swim or learn how to swim.
13. Play cards or chess.
14. Learn how to cook.
15. Try arts and crafts.
16. Volunteer.
17. Start a collection of something.
18. Become a Starbucks regular.
19. Bake a cake.
20. Read poetry or write some for other people to enjoy.
21. Get a piercing or tattoo.
22. Call your family.
23. Take a hike.
24. Write a story.
25. Sing in the car with or without the radio.
26. Achieve your fitness goals.
27. Read an easy book.
28. Read a challenging book.
29. Go to a play.
30. Take a boat and some friends out to the lake.
31. Memorize the recipe for your favorite cookies.
32. Take pictures, but not for Instagram.
33. Swing on something.
34. Road trip to a place you have been at before.
35. Learn how to save your money.
36. Watch the sunrise.
37. Watch the sunset.
38. Drink tea.
39. Go to a sporting event.
40. Create your bucket list.
41. Build a bonfire and invite friends.
42. Dance.
43. Eat some pizza, don’t regret it.
44. Plant flowers.
45. Do something nice for a stranger.
46. Paint.
47. Try cliff diving.
48. Climb a tree.
49. Find a new hairstyle you want to try.
50. Sit on the porch and think.
