How to Enjoy Summer VacationDownload Article

PARTS

1Staying Organized

2Getting Active

3Making Time for Friends

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OTHER SECTIONS

Step 2 Plan a picnic.

2

Plan a picnic. Take a trip to the park or the beach with your friends. Lay out a big blanket and share snacks and drinks. Play some music on a radio or iPod to enjoy the afternoon.

Step 3 Cook a meal

Summer Bucket List Activities: 80 Fun Things to Do this Sunny Season

May 6, 2018 by Annette White

There is something about summer that just brings the life out of us, isn’t there? Well, those sun-filled, warm-breeze days are here with us yet again (thank goodness) and of course you will be looking for fun summer activities and things to do.

Besides sunbathing, walking around in those cute sun dresses and letting the sand run through your toes (if you are lucky enough to be at the beach), there are several other fun ideas to add to your summer bucket list.

Summer Bucket List Activities: 80 Fun Things To Do This Sunny Season

1. ✦ GO TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK

2. ✧ LEAP OFF A ROPE SWING

Dream Life Tool Kit

22. SET INTENTIONS

After a goal review, write down your intentions or a few affirmations. Think of an intention as things, ideas, or habits you want to bring into your life. Create an affirmation to make those intentions yours by energizing them into fruition. Once you write down a few intentions and affirmations, state them daily for the best results.

23. BEGIN SOMETHING NEW

The summer solstice is a great time to renew the spirit, review prior dreams, and create new goals. Release old dark energy and create new light energy with a new project or goal on the summer solstice.

Make a list of everything you’ve wanted to do.

Pick your top three choices.

Make a plan to start one and go from there. Don’t know where to start? Please look at How to Set SMART Goals or purchase our Dream Life Tool Kit!

24. ESTABLISH A DAILY RHYTHM

Start fresh this season and find room to manifest your new intentions. Establishing a daily rhythm or routine can help you increase the “peace” at home and help the whole family thrive. Check out How to Plan Your Daily Rhythm for more information, or grab our free QuickStart Weekly Planning Guide to get started today!

25. GET OUTSIDE & CONNECT

Get outside and connect with what matters on the solstice. For more information about Get Outside & Connect, click on the link. You might also enjoy this HUGE collection of outdoor activities for kids.

26. BE THE SUNSHINE

Last but certainly not least, be the sunshine and be light. Tread lightly on the earth, be gentle with yourself and kind to others, shine your light near and far, and be the bright shining star you were born to be.

Children at a summer solstice celebration 

Related: Camp Kindness Summer Camp for Kids

FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

There are many ways you can celebrate the summer solstice.

with friends. Be sure to gather all of the ingredients first. Sometimes, cooking with friends is a recipe for disaster, but it always results in a great memory.

If using the oven or cooking implements that don’t belong to you, be sure to first get permission.

Step 4 Explore!

4

Explore! If you are traveling to another country or city, then go to many different venues and attractions. Don't restrict your visit to malls and restaurants. Ask people who live in the area for advice on what to see and do. If you are staying in your city or town during the summer, try to approach your own neighborhood as if you were a tourist. Try a new restaurant, take a walk, or go somewhere you have never been.[6]

Part

4

Relaxing AloneDownload Article

Step 1 Watch television.

1

Watch television. Watch your favorite TV series on YouTube or Netflix. Summer is an excellent time to catch up on your favorite shows. Sometimes, the local library will also offer rentals of movies or television shows, so ask a librarian about these free rental options.

Step 2 Do some schoolwork....

2

Do some schoolwork. Some people have packets and papers from school that are due by the end of summer. If you're in the mood to brush-up on academics, do schoolwork. If you have a summer reading packet or a math packet, work on it during the course of the summer. You'll be more likely to remember what you learned if you do a little each day instead of waiting until the end.

Step 3 Read a book.

3

Read a book. Catch up on your reading during the summer. You can check out free books from your local library, and renew them if you need more time to read. Bookstores can offer deals on books during the summer months as well.[7]

Step 4 Learn a new skill.s from our American Food Bucket List: 60 Foods in the USA to Eat. But, if you’re feeling really adventurous than pick an item from this list: Weird Food Bucket List: 60 Strange Foods From Around the World

5. ✦ ATTEND AN OUTDOOR CONCERT

In the United States, 40 to 50 million people attend outdoor concerts each year—it’s a top thing to do!. Find the perfect venue in your area, bring a lawn chair and spend a bucket list worthy evening listening to tunes. Unsure of where to see your show? Check out the 10 Outdoor Concert Venues Worth a Summer Road Trip.

6. ✦ RIDE A FERRIS WHEEL

7. ✦ ATTEND A PARADE

8. ✦ HAVE A PICNIC

Pack a traditional wicker basket with your favorite picnic foods and enjoy the feast as well as the weather. Real Simple magazine can help you out with their Picnic Packing Checklist. If you want to set up an Instagrammable picnic, here’s a cute red checkered picnic basket.

9. ✦ PLAY ON A SLIP-N-SLIDE

10. ✦ TAKE A ROAD TRIP

Pick a spot on the map, get in your car and just drive. There are very few activities in this world that are as fun-filled and as exhilarating as going on a road trip either solo or with your best friends.

Make a list of all the things you would like to do along the way and let the other chips fall where they may. Just go with it and have fun. The open road calls to all of us. One of my favorite road trips was Canada’s Cabot Trail!

11. ✦ FEED THE DUCKS

12. ✧ GROW AN HERB GARDEN

Gardening can be a lot of fun and growing your own herbs is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle and teach the same to your kids. They will definitely have a blast digging in the soil and planting seeds, growing seedlings and watering them. You don’t need a lot of space and the vessel can be anything from a wooden crate to a mason jar to an old tire.

For an easy option, just buy an herb starter kit. Nature Blossom’s Sow & Grow makes it simple by giving you everything you need to grow five organic favorites: Basil, Thyme, Parsley, Sage, Cilantro. Or get creative with these top 30 low-budget garden pots & containers

13. ✦ BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY

Can you confidently say that you know your city in and out?

rth also explains why the summer solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The reason for this remarkable fact is also a super fun science lesson for kids because it’s all about the tilt of the earth and its rotation around the sun in a single calendar year.The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year because the sun is at its highest elevation in the sky. And once this maximum sun elevation is reached, it will change very little from its position at noon for several days surroundidients for your dinner. Take your bounty home and try making a delicious farmers’ market salad loaded with veggies.

39. ✦ SLEEP IN A CABIN

Questions & Answers

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References

Article Summary

Co-authored by Desiree Panlilio

Last Updated: March 2, 2024 References

Summer vacation can be whatever you make of it, so make each day memorable by pursuing your interests. Whether it’s getting organized, staying fit, or socializing with friends, summer allows time for everyone to follow their passions. Get out your sunglasses, lather on some sunscreen, and get ready to have some fun!

Part

1

Staying OrganizedDownload Article

Step 1 Make summer goals.

1

Make summer goals. You can try to fit everything you want to do into the time between now and the end of summer vacation. Make a list of your summer goals, noting which are the most important for you to get done. Prioritize goals that are the most essential to your happiness and health.

Step 2 Clean your room.

2

Clean your room. If you notice anything messy around your house, organize that, too. You will feel more productive and relaxed when your environment is clean. Reduce your stress by eliminating clutter. Store loose items in containers t

If Frommer’s was to contract you to write a guide to your city, would you do it justice? Take the time to visit more than just your usual hangout places. There is more to life than hanging out at the bowling alley and the mall.

Be a tourist in your own city, go someplace new and you may be surprised by just how wonderful that old town can be. Most cities have free tours too. You could discover streets, shops, and landmarks that you never knew existed. You could also do the tour via segways, making it a little bit more fun.

14. ✦ GO TO THE BEACH

15. ✧ LEARN TO JUGGLE

16. ✦ RIDE IN A HOT AIR BALLOON

Take yourself to new heights and see what the world looks like from a birds-eye view. Better yet, make a champagne toast whilst flying high in the sky. If you are too afraid for the flight, then watch from the ground at a Hot Air Balloon Festival.

17. ✦ NAP IN A HAMMOCK

18. ✦ MAKE TIE-DYE T- SHIRTS

Do you have a bunch of white T’s you would like to breathe some life into? Why not make tye-die T-shirts this summer? Again, this is something that the entire family can get into and enjoy as you all try to outdo each other with your various brands of creativity. This Tie-dye Kit will make it much easier for you!

19. ✦ RUN THROUGH SPRINKLERS

20. ✦ GO WINE TASTING

21. ✧ LEARN TO FLY FISH

This may be a challenging bucket list goal, but what could be a more serene thing to do than casting a line into the river? Besides, you get to wear really cool pants.

22. ✦ GO WHITEWATER RAFTING

Take a thrilling ride down the river in an inflatable raft, hitting rapids along the way. Whitewater Rafting is considered an extreme sport, so be careful when choosing this as one of you Summer Bucket List ideas.

23. ✦ DO A CANNONBALL INTO A BODY OF WATER

24. ✦ GO TO A BASEBALL GAME

25. ✦ GO 24 HOURS WITHOUT INTERNET, RADIO OR TELEVISION

Now, I know, this is a tall order. We use the internet for everything nowadays. But think about it. When was the last time you went for two hours without your phone? Try going 24 hours without internet, radio or TV. Go camping; sit and read a good book; talk to your friends and family or use the time to complete some of the ideas on this summer bucket list.

Soon enough you will wish you had these quiet and peaceful moments more often.

26. ✧ HAVE A WATER BALLOON FIGHT

While we all love to feel t

Step 1 Have a sleepover...

1

Have a sleepover with your friends. This is a great way to spend a night and have fun. Tell ghost stories outdoors and cook s'mores over a bonfire if the weather is nice. Have a movie marathon and play board games if your sleepover is indoors.[5]40. ✦ READ A NYT BEST SELLER

If you are an avid reader, then those warm summer evenings make for some of the best times to just sit by your porch and read a New York Times Best Seller. This list is considered one of the most reliable when it comes to suggesting

What is the summer solstice, and how is it celebrated? People from cultures from all over the world have held summer solstice celebrations to celebrate the full return of the light of the sun You simply must have some when the sun is out. Squeezing your own lemonade allows you to add a bit of your own flair into the mix. Go wild and let your inner mixologist come out and play!

79. ✦ GET A SUMMER HAIR CUT

80. ✦ GO CAMPING

This summer, when the sun comes out, get your backside out there and do something fun as well. That’s a bucket list order!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure.



My Book: Bucket List Adventures

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41 THOUGHTS ON “SUMMER BUCKET LIST ACTIVITIES: 80 FUN THINGS TO DO THIS SUNNY SEASON”

Cassie

June 5, 2013 at 2:52 pm

I love this way of thinking about your summer travel and adventure plans! By activity, not necessarily place.

Reply

Annette White

June 5, 2013 at 11:03 pm

Hopefully, it will help to make peoples Summer fun filled with activities!

Reply

Joy

May 24, 2023 at 4:52 am

And joy and make them happy

Reply

Tonya

March 10, 2022 at 6:15 am

Great list I’m ready to live. My peace of mind is more important than anything right now.3

Cook a meal together. Find a recipe in a cookbook or online, and bake something

Question

What if my period happens when there’s people around in pool or beach?

Community Answer

Community Answer

strike both hemispheres over the year. And these differences in the sun’s radiation cause the seasonal changes we experience while the temperatures near the equator remain relatively constant.

So when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun Canada, the United States and Northern Mexico experience the longer, warmer days of summer, while those in the southern hemisphere experience the darker, colder days of winter–and vice versa. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and will welcome the winter this June, check out this list of Winter Solstice celebration ideas.what is the summer solstice and when is the summer solstice? 

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

The summer solstice is thus an astronomical event that occurs when

4

Learn a new skill. You can do that by taking courses online or taking a weekly class. Add to your knowledge by becoming fluent in a language, taking a dance class, or mastering a musical instrument. Try yoga or meditation classes if you want to work on aligning your mind, body, and spirit. Try a kickboxing or self-defense course if you’d rather get your adrenaline racing.[8]

Community Q&A

Create a summer solstice celebration meaningful for you and your family to celebrate the sun and all it brings to us. Don’t forget to check out our summer bucket list for even more fun summer activities.

44. ✦ WATCH FIREWORKS

45. ✦ GO SKINNY DIPPING

46. ✦ MAKE S’MORES

If you haven’t had these yet, drop everything you are doing and go make some—s’mores are absolutely divine. As the perfect campfire treat, making S’mores is something that the whole family can get into and thoroughly enjoy.

Allow me to elaborate: The best kind of S’more, the ones I like most, go a little something like this – You take a fire-roasted marshmallow, sandwich that with a layer of your favorite chocolate and then cover it all up with two pieces of graham cracker.

This recipe should help

s

Composting at Home: What, Why, and How to Compost

Child's face in a sunflower on the summer solstice

Growing Sunflowers

10. ENJOY SUMMER ARTS, CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

Creating summer arts and crafts is a great way to celebrate the rebirth of light and the summer season. Here are a few more summer art and craft ideas to get you started:

Make nature art and crafts with natural materials.

Create magnets, necklaces, or keychain charms with cute fingerprint suns.

Make a butterfly tree or some

solstice, the sun rises from behind Stonehenge’s Heel Stone, which stands on the avenue leading up to the monument’s Stone Circle. Its morning rays shine from the northeast, directly into the center at the heart of the monument. While on the winter solstice, the sun sets in the southwest, so the effect is reversed as the sun’s rays shine through the stones on the opposite side.

Traditionally, hundreds of visitors, including new-age druids and pagans, travel to Wiltshire, England, on the solstice to witness this magnificent event. But in 2020, the summer solstice at Stonehenge was live-streamed for the first time in history. And this year, in 2023, the Summer Solstice celebration at Stonehenge will be from sunset at 7 pm on Tue, June 20, to 8 am on Wed, June 21. And like they have for the last few years, English Heritage will offer a combined virtual and in-person event.

The organizers will live-stream the sunrise on the official English Heritage YouTube channel on the solstice so those unable to join the festivities in person can enjoy the occasion from the comfort and safety of their homes. However, they ask everyone who attends in person to consider safety guidelines, respect the stones, and remember that this is a spiritual occasion for many. Updates will be posted on the website HERE–>English Heritage.

3. TAKE A WALK IN THE MORNING DEW

Collecting the morning dew to wash one’s face, and walking barefoot in the morning dew, is a traditional ritual on May Day and the days thereafter. For this reason, many people also enjoy collecting dew before sunrise on the morning of the summer solstice. So, put out a bowl the night before the solstice, kick off your shoes, and go for a meditative barefoot walk or wander in the grass first thing on the morning of the solstice to celebrate this fun summer ritual.

4. BATHE IN THE LIGHT OF THE SUN

Visit a beach, pool, or park and bathe in th

3. ✦ PICK STRAWBERRIES

4. ✦ TRY A NEW FOOD

Have you ever tried raw oysters, escargot or frog’s legs? Maybe you have never had something as simple as sushi. Think of all the things you have yet to taste (for some fun ideas go to an Asian market!), then go out and try something new. You never know, you may stumble upon some delectable delicacies that you may never have heard of had you not been adventurous with your food.

If you are a timid eater then you may want to start with checking off some thing

one of Earth’s axis, or poles, is at its maximum tilt. This means the sun reaches its highest point in the sky on the summer solstice. And the sun’s position relative to the Eao help with organization.[1]

Going through old clothes can help you to reduce clutter. Donate any old clothing that you may have grown out of to help someone in need.

Step 3 Mark any important events on a calendar.

3

Mark any important events on a c

Making a flower crown is a traditional way to celebrate the summer solstice in many countries, particularly in Switzerland at their Midsummer celebrations. Our step-by-step tutorial teaches how to make a flower crown wi

50. ✦ WATCH THE SUNRISE

51. ✧ SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY BAREFOOT

This may not be such a great idea if you are walking across hot concrete, but it would be fabulous and freeing if you were spending the day at the beach or in a soft grass field.

52. ✦ WALK BAREFOOT IN THE SAND

Sinking your barefoot toes in the warm sand is the perfect way to spend a warm day.

53. ✦ GO BACKPACKING WITH A FRIEND

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced wilderness and gone backpacking. Grab an adventurous friend or two and take on Mother Nature. You can do something as simple as visit the local park or the neighboring county. Or plan a few day trek, and check “sleep under the stars” off your summer bucket list at the same time.

54. ✦ MAKE ICE CREAM

Instead of going to the grocery store to buy your favorite ice cream flavor, set up shop and make some at home. If ice cream seems too complicated, try making fun flavored popsicles, like Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt. Yum!

Here is the ice cream maker and popsicle molds that I use for my sweet summer treats.

55. ✦ BAKE A FRUIT PIE FROM SCRATCH

56. ✧ BREW YOUR OWN BEER

Speaking of mojitos, how about you brew your own beer? Brewing your own beer is not that difficult. You will just need a starter kit and some excellent advice, but once you get it right, you may never set foot in a bar again.

57. ✦ GO STAR GAZING

58. ✦ PORCH SIT FOR THE AFTERNOON

59. ✦ MAKE A SAND CASTLE

s turn, the natural materials available to make mandala crafts change. Crafting nature mandalas outdoors is also a therapeutic spiritual practice with several educational and psychological benefits for young and old alike. Click the link above to learn how to make a nature mandala and see a few gorgeous nature mandala art and craft ideas.

8. GET CREATIVE WITH SUN CRAFTS

Make some easy sun crafts with your kids for a fun way to celebrate the beginning of summer. Click on the creator of the craft to see the step-by-step tutorial.

Fingerprint Art Magnets – Make a Fingerprint Sun Magnet

How to Make a Mini Felt Sun | Bugs and Fishes

sion and the rebirth or return of the light on our planet and within each one of us. Because what happens on the Earth and in the heavens is a reflection of what happens within us. “As above, so below.” And spiritually, the sun’s light is considered the same light that shines within each being on Earth.

For these reasons, summer solstice traditions

, if you live in the southern hemisphere, hop over to look at how to celebrate the winter solstice.

kids playing at sunset with summer quote, "Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air." 

1. PAUSE AND REFLECT ON THE LIGHT WITHIN

Take a moment to pause and reflect on the light within to honor the return of the light both within and without. Each of us reflects the sun’s light within our hearts, so take a moment to feel connected to t

78. ✧ MAKE FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE

Lemonade and summer go hand in hand like Christmas and Santa!

Rainbow Suncatcher Crafts

7. DESIGN A NATURE MANDALA

Creating a nature mandala is a fun outdoor process art activity for kids and adults of all ages and a great way for children to learn about nature and the seasonal changes that occur within the “Wheel of the Year.” Because as the season

mer if you are in Norway or Sweden. But please be safeto get you started on the right foot. This treat has been a campfire staple long before most of us here were even born. The very first recorded s’mores recipe was published in 1927 in ‘Tramping and Trailing With the Girl Scouts’, a Girl Scouts handbook. So you are in good company. And if the traditional style doesn’t do it for you pick a unique one from the 12 Creative S’mores ideas.

47. ✦ GET A PEDI

Create an Action Plan to Accomplish Goals

Why I turn my Goals into Affirmations

e sun’s light for 20-30 minutes. Your backyard would also be perfect. Be sure to make it a quick sunbath, or apply a reef-safe chemical-free sunscreen so you don’t get burned!5. CRAFT A FLOWER CROWN

an abundant summer solstice feast like they did in the old days!17. HOST OR ATTEND A BONFIRE

Attending a solstice bonfire night is a traditional way to celebrate the summer solstice. Dance, sing, beat drums, play music, or enjoy the music made by musicians, and celebrate the official beginning of summer–or Midsum

You really can’t avoid the beach with that much success during summer. Since you will be headed that way anyway, why not put your creativity to good use while you show off that killer bikini body? Building a sand castle is much tougher than it looks, especially if you are going for the ‘uber-elaborate’ kind. Doing this with your loved ones is a wonderful way to spend some time together, get an enviable tan and maybe even have a mojito while you are at it.

For the more creative bucket lister you can learn How to Build the Perfect Sandcastle.

60. ✧ GET A TATTOO

For travel related tattoo ideas, check out 55 Beautiful Tattoos That Tell Their Own Travel Stories.

61. ✦ GO BOWLING

62. ✦ LEARN TO SURF

This is a bit more challenging than most of the things to do on this Summer Bucket List Ideas, but you can enjoy the warm weather while also learning how to catch a wave. You can find fun, beginning surfing lessons near just about every surf beach.

63. ✦ SKIP STONES IN A LAKE

64. ✦ TAKE A BOAT RIDE

65. ✧ GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT

Scavenger hunts can be exhausting if you are playing with strangers or someone you do not know that well. Luckily, I have my husband with me and we enjoy driving each other crazy trying to find new ways to outwit each other. You could do the same with the people you love and have a good old time.

For ideas, see How to Set Up a Scavenger Hunt for Grownups.

66. ✦ VISIT A HISTORICAL SITE

67. ✧ ATTEND BURNING MAN

Burning Man encapsulates everything fun and exciting about summer. It combines the desert heat, amazing creativity, wonderful musical revelations and a huge group of people who want nothing else but to have a wild, wonderful time out in the middle of nowhere. At Burning Man you can be yourself, have unbridled fun and you can definitely party all night and try to sleep all day. Just like you used to when you were younger.

68. ✧ STAND UNDER A WATERFALL

Standing under a waterfall is a ritual purification practice to some Japanese, but for you it could just be a bit of warm weather fun.

69. ✦ CHASE DOWN THE ICE CREAM TRUCK

70. ✦ HIKE A NEW TRAIL

71. ✧ BUILD A TREEHOUSE

also include rituals to help release old, dark energy. So it’s a great time to consider the grand scope of your life and the spiritual path you are on. It is also a great idea to focus or meditate upon the light to create more abundance in your life.

As you do so, note what is in and out of alignment. And do your best to bring light back into your heart, body, mind, soul, and earthly endeavors. So you can be the bright shining star you were born to be and cast this light upon the Earth and everyone you meet. May you reap an abundant inner and outer harvest this summer!

May the long time sun shine upon you all love surround you and the light within you guide your way on. 

SUMMER SOLSTICE TRADITIONS

Traditionally people celebrated renewal, life, fertility,

Monarch butterfly peg dolls.

Enjoy this fantastic collection of Flower art projects.

Make a gorgeous sea-glass windchime.

Create shell sunflowers or shell daisies.

Make mud pies.

Design a nature mandala.

Create shadow sidewalk chalk art.

Make felt flower crafts or lei necklaces.

Color and wear a paper sunflower crown or tiara.

Make a seasonal handprint and fingerprint tree – This is a great activity to do with your child to introduce the idea of seasonal changes. Feel free to do all seasons or just a summer handprint tree. (photo below)

Four seasons handprint tree fingerprint tree art

11. ADD GREENERY AND SUMMER DECOR TO YOUR HOME

Decorate the inside and outside of your house with fresh greenery, flowers, and summer decor to welcome the sunlight back into your heart and home. The solstice suncatcher craft ideas and summer crafts listed above make a great choice. Or try these nature crafts and art activities.

12. MAKE A SUMMER ALTER OR NATURE TABLE

Create a summer altar in your home to celebrate the sun and the return of the light. Fill it with natural items representing the sun, the light within each of us, or anything the sun nurtures, such as freshly harvested foods and flowers. Crafting a small nature mandala on your summer altar can also be fun. Or, make a summer nature table as a fun way to honor this sacred solstice ritual with kids at home or in the classroom.

13. MAKE A HUMAN SUNDIAL

Making a human sundial is a fun summer activity you can try on or around the solstice. My daughter and I are doing this science experiment on each of the solstices and equinoxes to see how our shadows change during the day and throughout the year. It’s been a super fun learning experience for both of us, so we encourage you to try it. For even more fun, paint your sundial with DIY chalk paint, take pictures of your sidewalk chalk art, and write the results of your experiment in a homemade nature journal.

14. READ BOOKS ABOUT THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

Help children understand what the solstice is all about with the books on the list below. These beautiful books about the summer solstice for kids are a great way to share the significance of seasonal changes. A few options are listed below:

Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun

The Midsummer Mouse: Midsummer Tales of Tiptoes Lightly and the Summer Queen

The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice 

15. VISIT A LOCAL BERRY PICKING FARM OR GO FORAGING

What better way to celebrate the sun than to eat juicy berries ripened by it? Please pop over to read our article about berry picking and wild foraging with kids for more information.

16. ENJOY A SUMMER SOLSTICE FEAST

Host or attend a summer solstice picnic or dinner party to celebrate an abundant Midsummer harvest like they did in ancient times. Traditional summer solstice foods are seasonal foods and drinks grown, raised, and harvested locally (or brewed in the case of beer, ciders, and wine). So, invite friends and family for a summer solstice feast filled with your favorite seasonal locally raised and grown foods to celebrate the abundance of summer.

Visit a farmer’s market, a local farm, a local bakery, a brewery, or a vineyard to gather all the goodies you need for your solstice gathering. Fresh ripened fruit, berries, and seasonal vegetables make a great option for the summer solstice. Or, have a solstice potluck by inviting each one of your guests to bring something they prepare (or pick up) made with seasonal local foods. And you will surely have

alendar. If you are going on vacation, celebrating a friend’s birthday, or doing anything else exciting during the summer, take note of it on a calendar so that you can be prepared for each event.[2]

Part

2

Getting Active

Download Article

Step 1 Go for a swim.

1

Go for a swim. If the weather is blazing, go swimming in your pool or at a local public pool. Another option is to go to the beach or to visit a nearby lake or pond. If those options aren't available to

CURE

48. ✦ SLEEP UNDER THE STARS

If you are lucky enough to travel the world, then try to sleep under the stars in the Northern Hemisphere. The Northern Lights are a spectacle that you will never forget. But if Sweden is too far, then maybe you can make a good go of it right

poles is in its maximum tilt toward the sun while the other is tilted away from it. This means that the hemisphere tilted toward the sun will experience long, warm summer days. While the hemisphere tilted away from the sun will experience short cold winter days and long dark winter nights.

In contrast, the spring and fall equinoxes occur between the winter and summer solstices when day and night are said to be approximately equal. Hence the name Equinox. These four events are also known as the solar or quarter-day festivals on the Celtic Calendar. Learn more about the spring and fall equinox and their associated festivals at the links below!

Spring Vernal Equinox Celebration Ideas

Fall Autumnal Equinox Celebration Ideas

WHAT IS THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR?

The Summer Solstice is always the longest day of the year, no matter which side of the equator you live upon. In other words, if you live in the northern hemisphere, the year’s longest day will be on or around June 21. And, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year will be on or around December 21. Because occasionally, the day that the solstice happens will sometimes fall before or after the 21st.

However, the number of daylight hours will get

excellent books in the United States. Whether you are looking for fiction, non-fiction, auto-biographies or even a children’s book for those bed time stories, you will find it here.

You could give ‘The Thief’ by J.R Ward a try. Although, I must warn you, this is the 16th book in the thrilling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. So if you do not want to be so hooked that you simply must read the other 15, maybe you should try something else. Like ‘Shoot First’ by Stuart Woods or go non-fiction and read ‘Russian Roulette’ by Michael Isikoff and David Corn.

Or…you could check out my book ‘Bucket List Adventures: 10 Incredible Journeys to Experience Before You Die’. That should get you bitten by the wanderlust bug real quick.

41. ✦ RIDE A ROLLER COASTER

42. ✦ GO TO A DRIVE-IN MOVIE

If you are looking for a unique and cheap date night, how about going to a drive-in movie? They may be more difficult to find these days, but they are a whole lot of fun when you do. Look at the Drive-In Movie Website to locate the nearest one.

43. ✦ WATCH THE SUNSET

Summer Solstice Celebration Ideas, Rituals, and Traditions

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Updated: June 20, 2023 Published: May 24, 202311 Comments

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In 2023, the summer solstice will occur on Wednesday, June 21, at 14:58 UTC. This means the summer solstice will happen in the Northern Hemisphere at 10:58 AM EDT or 7:58 AM PDT. Learn more about the solstice and welcome the summer with this list of fun summer solstice traditions and celebration ideas! (First published in June 2015; This post is regularly updated and republished to keep the content current.)

shorter and shorter each day after the summer solstice until the day of the autumnal equinox, when day and night are said to be equal. And after the equinox, the days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice. And this makes the winter solstice the shortest day of the year.

Related: Summer Activities for KidsHOW DO YOU CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

Many cultures have held summer solstice celebration rituals for thousands of years. Traditional summer solstice rituals and celebrations were influenced by the spiritual meaning of the summer solstice and other cultural influences, including but not limited to paganism. Scroll down to learn more, and read through the fun things you can do to celebrate the summer with kids, family, friends, or your community.Solstice graphic with the sun and summer and winter solstice facts 

THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF SUMMER SOLSTICE

The summer solstice symbolizes ascen to try. Or

72. ✦ LEARN TO SHOOT A BOW & ARROW

Though archery is an easy sport to learn, it’s a hard one to master. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t give a shot at hitting the bulls-eye this Summer.

73. ✧ COMPETE IN A FOOD EATING COMPETITION

74. ✦ VOLUNTEER

Volunteer your time and effort to make the world a better place. You don’t have to join ‘Greenpeace’, although that’s not such a bad idea, you can volunteer right in your own community.

Help the elderly, give blood, volunteer at the local soup kitchen or just make sure that your neighbor’s yard is well-kept. Give back to the society and you will be the better for it.

75. ✦ GO SOMEWHERE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN

Accomplishing this bucket list goal doesn’t mean that you have to travel to the ultimate location, just go somewhere you have never been. It could be something as simple as visiting a new park in your city or taking a day trip to a nearby town that you have been meaning to explore.

76. ✦ CREATE A COCKTAIL

Many foodies are also experimentalists, and becoming your own mixologist will test your skills. The best part about this bucket list goal is that you will have to do a lot of sampling before coming up with your own perfect harmony of flavors. Practice makes perfect!

In the heat of the Arizona Summer, I decided it was the perfect time to create my own refreshing cocktail. The funnest part? Testing all the different concoctions. In the end, my signature drink was a Lemon-Basil Fizz made with prosecco, coconut rum, raspberries, basil and lemon sorbet (see the video below). What will yours be?Related: 10 Tips on How To Make a Great Cocktail

Related: Foodie Bucket

You can avoid problems by wearing swimwear that has inbuilt period protection or by wearing a tampon. If you do leak, just wrap your towel around you and get to the change rooms quickly.

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Question

How can I spend the vacation when I have no friends I can hang out with?

Community Answer

Community Answer

Get creative, read books, learn a new skill or language, spend time with your pet, go outside and get active, etc.

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Question

Should I still have a sleepover with my friends if I am a girl and he’s a boy?

Foxling Emeralda

ng the solstice.

In other words, the solstice marks the peak of the Solar year, with the Sun literally at the height of its life-giving power. And in ancient times, that was indeed something to celebrate. The sun is so high in the sky that the Arctic Circle will experience 24 hours of sunlight each day while it remains at its height. But after the summer solstice. The days will once again become shorter and shorter until the shortest day and the longest night of the year is reached on the day of the winter solstice.

Related: Outdoor Activities for Kids

graphic of planet earth and the sun moving through the seasons of the year 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SOLSTICE AND THE EQUINOX?

The solstices and equinoxes are astronomical events that divide the year into four equal parts, with each representing one of the four seasons. As explained above, the solstice marks the peak of the solar year when one of the Earth’s

company, cold beers and warm outdoor weather, what more could you ask for in this world? Having an Ultimate BBQ is one of the best ways to while away a boring Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Everyone has their own specific style when it comes to BBQ’s so do not let anyone tell you anything about what you like. You go right ahead and grill that meat the best way you know how. Enjoy!

31. ✦ WATCH FIREFLIES

32. ✦ GO WATERSKIING

33. ✧ RUN A THEMED 5K

Themed 5k marathons are a wonderful way to not only bring the community together for a common course, but to also show off your extreme levels of fitness and fun loving nature. Make sure the theme is something fun, like a mud run (check Active’s 5k Race Finder for ideas). It’d be a bonus if running the 5k was to support a local organization.

Don’t know where to start? Read How to Train, Run & Finish Your First 5k Race

34. ✧ HOST A BONFIRE

A bonfire can add incredible ambiance to any party, especially on a warm Summer night. So, invite your friends, load up your cooler with beverages, bring lots of wood and a radio to play your favorite tunes.

35. ✧ MAKE SANGRIA

There is nothing like a refreshing glass of Sangria to quench your thirst on a hot Summer day. One of my favorite recipes is the Plum and Nectarine Sangria from William-Sonoma.

36. ✦ PADDLE A CANOE

37. ✧ MAKE A SUMMER PLAYLIST

38. ✦ GO TO A FARMER’S MARKET

Enjoy strolling through the Summer farmer’s market while gathering fresh and local ingre

Foxling Emeralda

Community Answer

If you are uncomfortable, you can invite a third friend. You can still have a boy-girl sleepover, just be sure to ask your parents.