Knitting is a wonderful hobby but save that for the winter, as you’ll need it for those scarves and mittens. When it comes to summer hobbies, you need to find activities that’ll get you outdoors. Whether you live by the sand, miles from the mountains, or in the middle of the flatlands, get out and feel the sun on your face before the cold snap comes back to send us clamoring inside. Need some inspiration? Read on for summer hobby ideas that’ll get you off the couch and out into nature.
- Games Galore
Outdoor games like cornhole, bocce ball, and even giant Jenga abound these days, and not only are these great hobbies, but they’re also great ways to bond with your family. Take them camping or break them out in your own backyard. Adults and kids alike can play these, and you can always make adjustments for the wee ones in your family, too (like allowing them to shoot the cornhole beanbags from a closer distance). You can even show your loyalty to your favorite sports team or alma mater by getting a customized cornhole set!
- Bird Watching
Okay, okay, this might sound like something only people in their 80s do, but the truth is—much like the outdoor games—it can be a really fun family event. If you live near a local lagoon or other nature center, they might even have a guide you can use to follow along with you as you use your binoculars to search for birds. Bird watching isn’t just for octogenarians!
- Fly Drones
Many of us thought drones would be a passing fancy but, when they started talking about the possibility of getting us packages this way, we knew it was time to realize this was no fly-by-night (pardon the pun!) trend. In fact, many people are taking drone flying up as a hobby, and it’s one that can elicit a lot of passion. This is especially true for those of us who have had a secret lifelong ambition to be a pilot! Whether you’re looking for a beginner’s drone to try your hand or you’re moving onto surveillance and commercial drones to turn your favorite hobby into a job, you can find plenty of cool options.
- Camping & Glamping
It might sound weird to call camping a hobby but, once you begin to get really passionate about it, you’ll know that it definitely is a wonderful pastime. Whether you get super outdoorsy about it and hike to camp or you simply pull up your mini-van and unload a bunch of drinks and s’mores fixings, camping can become a way of life. It takes a lot of preparation but once you’ve hammered that final tent stake into the ground and have taken your spot around the campfire, you’ll know why people love this so much. Of course, there’s always glamping for those who aren’t super fond of the idea of sleeping within breathing distance of bugs! Who said champagne and camping don’t go together? Either way, pack your latest book, hiking shoes, and remember to tell your fave ghost stories, as that’s how you make the memories that last a lifetime. Don’t forget the aforementioned games either!
- Golf & Tennis, Anyone?
Golf and tennis are great sports to play during the summer and, much like the other hobbies already mentioned, they’re wonderful for families. They’re very social sports, as people often hang around before and/or after rounds/matches to have lunch and enjoy some chitchat. While golf is a bit more high maintenance, tennis is easy for doing it on the go, as all you need is your racket and a can of balls. Of course, be sure to check the dress code where you are playing, as certain clubs require things like tennis “whites” and strictly tennis shoes. Golf is also ideal for those who are in sales or aspire to be in sales, as many “meetings” take place on the course. It’s wonderful when you can parlay a hobby into part of your job! Don’t be intimidated if you haven’t tried these, as it’s easy to get a beginner lesson in either of these sports. And as long as you stick with it and practice, you’ll be surprised by how fast you can ramp up in both of these activities.
Save the hobbies you can do indoors for the winter. For now, get out and take up a hobby that gets you a lil’ vitamin D!