Activities for Summer Fun #2—Low Cost, Low Energy + A Free Printable

Summer is my favorite time of year! Now that summer is officially here, I want to make the most of it by making some plans. So I’m sharing a list of fun activities with you all.

Last year, I blogged about ideas for summer fun that are easier for those of us with health issues (and included a free printable you can download), and this year I’m expanding on that list.

While most summery lists are geared toward people who are healthy, my list is achievable for people who deal with chronic illness and chronic fatigue. I’ve put together ideas that are adaptable for a variety of energy levels. I hope you’ll use this list as a jumping off point to craft a beautiful summer full of sun, novelty, creativity, and friends and family.

Find out how to get this list as a free printable at the end of this post. I enjoyed checking off items on last year’s list and seeing just how much I was able to accomplish!

Also, these ideas are mostly free or inexpensive, making them perfect for anyone who wants to save money. These would make great experiences for families with kids home for the summer too.

For some with chronic illness, summer can mean symptoms ease up a little, but for others the heat can actually exacerbate illness. You’ll notice that most of these ideas would be something you could do year round. If summer is rough on you, tuck this list away for another time of year when you have more energy.

I’ve broken down this list into ideas for enjoying out of the house or at home, so you can tailor the list to your own needs and energy. I’m really looking forward to doing these things, and I hope you do too!

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Out and About

Go to a book store—The brick and mortar kind, where you browse and serendipitously discover a book. I’ve not been to a book store in awhile and I’ve been really wanting to do this as an outing. I’m sure I could find a bookish friend to bring along for added fun.

Create at a painting class—some friends and I have been talking about trying this for some time. I’d love to paint on canvas or try paint pouring. (Not able to go to a class? You could DIY your own painting event at home.)

Go to a library event—They’re often free and literary! I’m a little biased because I used to work at a library, but I think everyone should take advantage of this marvelous free resource. (Oh, and if you’re looking for books while you’re there—which you should!—here’s what’s on my reading list currently.)

Try a new allergy-friendly bakery or restaurant—There’s one not far from me that I’ve heard rave reviews about.

“Hike” a little— I love hiking and I miss it terribly, so I’m going to be inventive and find some easy ways to enjoy the outdoors. My “hiking” will probably look like catching a ride to somewhere in nature and just sitting and enjoying the scenery, or going for a very brief walk amidst trees, but it will allow me to get a taste of one of my favorite hobbies.

Check out an event at a local college—One of my friends is in the college orchestra, and I’m excited to hear her play cello. Plus, tickets are only $5, which you really can’t beat for live music! Look on college websites to find other events happening near you.

Go to an outdoor movie or drive in theater—I’ve never done this, so it’s something I’d love to try. I probably wouldn’t make it through the whole movie, but it’d be fun to catch at least part of one. And remember the bug repellant if it’s at night! (Here are some other tips for going to the movies with health conditions.)

Explore at a planetarium—This is another offering at a local college. I love space (I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little!) so this would be a lot of fun! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a planetarium before either. If astronomy isn’t your thing, search for other science exhibits or experiences you can check out nearby.

Visit a green house or garden—I have a few on my list that I’d love to stop by, and you can bet I’ll be bringing my camera.

Take a swing at putt putt golf—This is a low-impact way to participate in a sport, and I love the whimsy of putt putt courses. (Or you can buy your own set…)

Stop by a playground—And hop on a swing. I absolutely love swings! Or meet a friend with little ones and watch them use their imaginations as they climb around the playground. Just enjoy being outdoors and let your cares slip away for a moment while you pretend you’re a kid again.

At Home

Build with Legos—My Lego sets have been stored away for too long. If you have something you loved to play with as a kid, why not bring it out of storage and enjoy it again? My favorite Lego sets are the medieval cottage (similar to one of these houses) and adorable camper, and I also have a LOTR set, because of course I do. The tubs of assorted Legos are also great for inspiring creativity.

Alter clothing—I have a couple clothes that I don’t wear anymore that could be revitalized with a little TLC. I enjoy bringing things back to being useful or wearable, so this would be a fun project for me. If the word “sewing” strikes fear into your heart, feel free to find something else to spruce up instead! I just need to let go of my perfectionism and fear of “ruining” something and dive into this one.

Alter coloring book pages—I love coloring, and I have a lot of fun reimaging color book pages. Check out my previous alterations here and here for more inspiration.

Try blackout poetry—This is a creative way to reimagine book pages as poems. You don’t need any poetry experience to give this a shot. I’ve saved some of my favorite examples here.

Send a letter—Keep in touch over the summer with some good old-fashioned snail mail. A friend of mine recently said she wanted to start writing letters again, so I’m looking forward to being her pen pal.

“Use the Good China”—This is an idea I love from The Happiness Project. It doesn’t just refer to dishes, but to using and enjoying the things that you tend to “save” for special occasions. This could look like any number of things. For me, it means I’m going to try to wear each of my dresses this summer. I love wearing dresses, but sometimes worry about wearing out my favorites. I still have one dress in my closet that I’ve never actually worn, which seems silly. I will probably exclude my formal wear, or I could make up a reason for a few friends and I to dress up, even if we’re just watching a movie. If I don’t end up wearing some dresses—or if I do and they’re uncomfortable, unflattering, or don’t fit—I plan to do some tidying (which I love) and get rid of those dresses at the end of summer.

Watch the audio commentary on a favorite movie—As someone who loves film, I really enjoy the behind the scenes look at how movies are made. I tend to forget that I have movies with commentaries that I would enjoy checking out. The Lord of the Rings cast commentaries are by far my favorites—they’re hilarious. I’ve been wanting to watch the commentaries on Sherlock and Sense & Sensibility for some time, and now that I have this on a list, I’ll be more likely to remember this summer!

Plan a prayer day—Get some friends together to pray for each other. You could also choose a theme and pray for a particular place or cause. This is something you could do at your home, a park, or maybe even at your church (you could probably reserve a room for free). This is always an uplifting way to spend time with others. 

Pick flowers—They can be wildflowers or “weeds” as long as you enjoy them! Bring them inside to enjoy some nature indoors. Or, if you’re like me and are too allergic to have flowers indoors, put them in a cloche or cake stand to trap in the pollen. Or put them in a canning jar on a picnic table or somewhere outside so you can see them from your window.

Go on a photo scavenger hunt—Again, this is something you could do at home or really anywhere. Play by yourself or challenge a friend. I’ll get you started with some ideas:
Color: Something each of these colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
Print: Something with Numbers, Something with Letters, Something with Pattern
Architecture: Window, Door, a Bench or Seat, An Interesting Building
Nature: Bird, Animal, Tree, Flower, Bush, Stone, An Interesting Texture

There’s my list! I hope it inspires you!

Remember to check out more ideas on my first list!

How to get the free printable

Love this list? Subscribe to my blog’s newsletter, and I’ll send you a PDF Printable of the list with space for you to add your own ideas.
What are your plans for this summer? What activities on this list are you most looking forward to?

 

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