Summer means longer days, warmer weather, and an abundance of fun-filled activities. Unfortunately, a lot of events and activities during this time are geared towards kids since they are out of school for the summer season. Thankfully, we have compiled 21 summer outdoor activities for adults that make this the summer to remember!
21 Summer Outdoor Activities for Adults
1. Play Flashlight Tag
Recapture your youth by gathering all your friends together after the sun goes down and play a fun-filled game of flashlight tag. All that is required is enough space to run and hide, and flashlights for all players.
2. Pick Wild Berries
Berries, such as blackberries and raspberries, begin to pop up all during the summer months. Use these berries to make your own jelly, pies, or sprinkle them over some vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat. If you don’t have any wild berries near you, look for U-Pick farms in your area.
3. Spend the Day at the Pool
Swimming pools can help keep you cool during the summer months, and they can be a great way to spend the day with your friends or even by yourself if you need some time alone. Just make sure to bring sunscreen!
4. Walk in the Woods
If you need to clear your head or just want to get some fresh air, taking a walk in the woods during the summer is the perfect activity. If you’re a forager, taking a walk in the woods is the perfect time to look for berries, mushrooms, and flowers.
5. Have a Picnic in the Park
A picnic at your local park is more than just a way to pass time while eating your lunch. It lets you breathe in fresh summer air while also getting much needed vitamin D provided by the sun’s rays.
6. Hit up Yard Sales and Flea Markets
The summer months are the ideal time for yard sales, garage sales, and flea markets. People take advantage of the warm weather to declutter and get rid of unwanted items. You may be able to find a hidden treasure or an antique piece of furniture. On the flip side, if you need to get rid of stuff, host your own yard sale!
7. Start a Garden
Starting a garden doesn’t have to take place in early spring. You can take advantage of the warmer temperatures to begin your gardening adventure. If it’s too late to start seeds indoors, visit your local nursery or garden center and purchase plants that are already established.
Don’t have enough room in your yard for a garden? No worries! A lot of flowers, vegetables, and herbs can be grown in containers on your porch, patio, or balcony instead of directly in the ground.
8. Go Horseback Riding
Taking in scenic sights on the back of a horse is a summer experience that just about everyone would enjoy. Many farms and ranches offer horseback riding excursions for adults with varying degrees of riding experience.
9. Visit National Parks
National parks are a great way to learn about nature, history, and conservation. They also offer a wide array of summer activities, such as hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Since the activities can be different at each location, make sure to check with the National Parks in your area to see what activities they offer.
10. Take a Bike Ride or a Walk
Bike rides are a wonderful way to get some exercise while enjoying the warm summer weather. Depending on your area, you may even find a shop that offers bike rentals. If not, then forgo the bike but still experience the fresh summer air by taking a walk on a local trail.
11. Go to a Theme Park
To get your heart pumping this summer, why not spend the day riding rollercoasters at a theme park? Gather up some friends and head to the nearest amusement park. If it’s a particularly hot summer’s day, consider choosing a water park instead to help stay cool.
12. Have a Barbecue
Barbecues are a summer staple that can occur at just about anytime of the day. Keep the party small by only inviting a few close friends, or make it a community event by inviting your entire neighborhood. Hamburgers and hot dogs are the most commonly grilled foods for barbecues, but you can change it up a bit by adding shrimp and chicken to the protein portions of the meal.
13. Spend Time Stargaze
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, adults often forget to stop and take time to destress. Stargazing can help you decompress and destress. The best views for seeing the stars will require getting away from big cities since they typically have an abundance of light pollution.
14. Have Dinner Outdoors
Also called dining alfresco, eating dinner outdoors is generally a casual experience that is often offered at various cafes and restaurants. If you don’t want to spend the money to go out to eat, just have your own outdoor dining experience right at home. This is definitely one thing that’s not as comfortable to do outdoors in the winter time.
15. Go Rollerblading
Rollerblading is not just a fun summer outdoor activity for adults, it can help you manage your weight, while improving balance, joint strength, and mood.
16. Make your Own Pool using a Stock Tank
Swimming pools are a summer must have, but they can be expensive and take up an abundance of space. Instead, consider turning a stock tank into a makeshift swimming pool. Stock tanks come in a wide array of sizes, and are much more affordable and more space-saving for your backyard.
17. Go to the Zoo
Zoos are not just for kids! Animal-lovers or those who just want to spend a summer’s day learning about various animals will enjoy all that zoos have to offer.
18. Dance in the Rain
Summer rains are typically warm and refreshing, which makes them the ideal time to dance in. If you have a special someone, pull them into the activity to create a romantic experience you’ll never forget.
19. Watch Fireworks
Throughout the summer months, communities across the United States will end celebrations with a fireworks show after the sun goes down. The Fourth of July, however, is almost always accompanied with firework celebrations. Keep an eye out for flyers and announcements a few weeks before July 4th to see where your town will be hosting their 4th of July celebration.
20. Pick Wildflowers
Summer months and blooming flowers go hand-and-hand. So it’s no surprise that picking wildflowers is a popular summer pass time. The wildflowers you pick can be displayed in a vase around your home, or pressed in a book for use in future craft projects. Or you can give them to an elderly neighbor who would enjoy some company.
21. Go Fishing
Fishing is a summer activity that can be done by yourself or with family and friends. It can be relaxing or competitive, depending on your mood and desires. You can fish from the bank or take a boat out of the water and fish from there.
