10 Free and Fun Activities To Do This Summer To Make Summer Last Longer

I’m having a really hard time believing May is already over.

Seriously. Time is going by at warp speed and I don’t like it.

Mom always said “the older you get, the faster time passes”. Mom was right (like she almost always was – she was a brilliant Mom).

I’m doing everything I can think of to S L O W down Spring/Summer.
I’m trying hard to make every minute of every day count!
I want to create FUN for my family, and for our friends.

I figure if we can spend each and every day from May through November with at least one fun adventure a day, we’ll make the most of these precious Spring and Summer days!

Here are some of the things we do to slow down the passage of Spring and Summer. Maybe these ideas will inspire you.

Spring/Summer Activities and Adventures

Watch a Movie Outside

Watching a movie outside at night is such a fun activity! I wrote about our Weekly Outdoor Movie Nights – check it out, and enjoy a movie outside with your family and friends.

Hang Out at a Pool

Hanging out at the pool is not only fun, but it’s a great way to keep cool and relax. You don’t even have to actually “swim” to enjoy the pool – just floating around on an inflatable “floaty” while looking up and finding familiar objects in the clouds is peaceful bliss. Lounging pool side with a good book, and occasional dip in the pool to cool off, is also very relaxing and makes the day seem much longer.

If you don’t have a pool, there are lots of local towns with community pools that you could visit instead. And, if nothing else, head to the nearest beach!

Watch the Stars

Sitting around a fire and stargazing, or having stargazing parties at dusk (or at 3 am – depending on what’s happening in the heavens) are great ways to make Spring/Summer last, and share the miraculous night skies with family and friends. Our family loves to lay out on chase lounge chairs and look up at the constellations and planets. If you like a little competition, see who can spot the most shooting stars, iridium flares, or satellites in one evening.

The website Heavens Above is a great resource for locating satellites and iridium flares.

Play Outdoor Games

There’s nothing like an old-fashioned game of Four Square on your driveway to make Spring/Summer more fun. Gather your family, friends, or neighbors, a piece of chalk, an inflatable ball, and prep your driveway for some fun and laughter!

When you get done playing Four Square, play a game of Hopscotch! All you need is a driveway, chalk, and a rock. Surely you remember how to play Hopscotch?

Fish From Shore

There’s nothing quite like grabbing a fishing rod, and heading to the nearest lake, stream or river to fish from shore. It doesn’t even matter if you catch anything, just the act of throwing that line out into the water and waiting for a fish to bite is enough to completely relax you.

Anyone can fish from shore, and it doesn’t take a lot of fancy equipment or preparation (despite what my husband’s tackle buying, and boat pampering habits indicate).

If your family likes a little friendly competition, see who can catch the first fish, the largest fish, the most fish, or the smallest fish.

I wrote an article a while back for my vintage shop blog called Take a Kid, or a Dad, Fishing. Check it out for some fun ideas!

Chase Fireflies

I don’t believe you are ever too old to chase fireflies! These cool bugs come out at night and are so much fun to watch. Even if you don’t actually chase them, they still are amazing to see.

If you don’t live in an area where fireflies are typically found, I highly recommend driving out to the country one evening and parking near an empty field to watch for these guys. Depending on the weather, you can often see thousands and thousands of fireflies in one evening, just in one field. They really are pretty cool to see.

Eat Outside

Plan your next meal to be eaten on your patio or deck! Make your outdoor dining experience really special by bringing out your fancy dishes, linen napkins and sparkling crystal. Fire up that grill and cook your family favorite recipe. If you’re dining out in the evening, make sure to have candles on the table or special lighting to make the experience even more enjoyable. And don’t forget the dessert!

Get Lost

I mean this in a good way! Pile your family in your vehicle and just start driving. Take roads you’ve never been on before, but have always wondered where they go. Plan to drive for at least an hour, exploring new roads and see what new sights you can see. Once you’ve driven randomly for an hour, take out your smartphone and chart a completely different route back home.

To make this even more fun, pack a cooler with lunch and beverages and when you see an interesting spot, stop and have lunch. Sometimes taking quick trips like this around where you live can bring you to destinations you’ll want to visit again and again. Make it a day of discovery!

Go Geocaching

Grab your smartphone, but close out of those video games.  Instead, pack a Ziplock bag or two with small toys and trinkets your kids have saved over the years, and go on a geocaching adventure! Geocaching is a blast and can be done locally or while traveling. Visit the Geocaching website to find geocaches near you, and plan at least three places to visit at a time.

All you need is a smartphone with GPS (or a GPS device) to start your adventure. It’s a good idea to bring a pencil and pen too (some caches have a visitor log you can sign to prove your successful search). When you find a geocache, leave a trinket behind and take a trinket with you. It’s exciting to discover these treasures tucked away, and it’s also really cool to see who has been there before you, and where they are from.  Geocaching is an excellent family activity – it’s a great way to get outside for fresh air, good exercise, teamwork, and seeing nature up close.

Family Game Night

Host a Family Game Night on your patio or deck! I wrote an article about how to Host a Family Game Night – make sure to check it out for ideas for your game night.

Make Ice Cream

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a homemade batch of ice cream! All you need are three ingredients and a freezer and you’re all set! Here’s an article I wrote on how to create our family favorite Quick and Easy Ice Cream. Enjoy!

There you go – 10 fun things you and your family can do to prolong Summer fun!

What are some things you and your family do to make Summer last? Share in a comment below!