5 Simple Ways to Stay Active This Summer

By Meghen Jones

Do you ever find yourself twiddling your thumbs lately, purely out of boredom? It’s okay, we’ve all been there. With classes out for the summer, it’s not uncommon for college students to be in search of something to do to keep them occupied in lieu of lectures, extracurricular activities, and the onslaught of homework, papers, and projects. Plus, there’s nothing worse than allowing summer and all of its opportunities for fun, relaxation, and leisure pass you by.

If you’re worried about your limited cash flow, you may actually be surprised that there are many things you can do in your hometown or nearby that require little to no money. Check out uCribs’ top 5 activities that will keep you busy and productive this summer.

Spend the Day at the Amusement Park

No matter how old you get, you’ll always save a special place in your heart for the amusement park, and with “amuse” in the actual name of the place, how can you go wrong? As a child, going to the amusement park was one of the few places you felt complete and utter freedom—think about the irresistible cotton candy and fried food, the thrilling rides that got your heart racing, and the hours spent with friends or family.

Indulge in a bit of nostalgia, and escape from the real world for a day! At a nearby amusement park, you can unleash your inner child and temporarily remove yourself from the worry of impending adulthood. Admit it—now that it’s on your mind, you’re adding an amusement park visit to your growing list of summer activities!

Go for A Hike

Do you enjoy getting in your daily fitness, but want to try a different approach than the norm? Soak up a bit of outdoor scenery by taking a hike on a cool summer morning at your local hiking trail. Hiking is a fun activity that allows you to explore your more adventurous side. It also has numerous health benefits such as boosting memory and improving your overall heart health.

Sure, hiking may sound a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t consider yourself a huge proponent of the outdoors, but by the time you’re finished, you will feel as if you’re on top of the world and can accomplish anything in life—including earning your college degree!

Enhance Your Cooking Skills

Think about all the times throughout the semester that you craved a home-cooked meal, but didn’t know where to start. Well, your free time during the summer allows you the opportunity to enhance your cooking skills by taking a few culinary classes.

Whether you want to master a certain cuisine or learn how to whip up a new dessert, it’s totally worth the cost! Not only are classes offered at a pretty reasonable price, but they will also make you feel as you were destined to be a chef. Maybe once you return to campus, you will even reconsider your major and opt for the culinary arts. Who knows—maybe you can even afford some time to sit down with grandma to master all the family recipes as well?

Plan a Camping Trip

When was the last time you put your phone down and enjoyed some 20th-century, interpersonal communication? In a world full of technology, we’re often so occupied by our electronic devices that we miss out on quality time with the people that matter most to us. That’s why camping is the perfect summertime activity.

With your closest friends and family members by your side, how can it go wrong? Think about it—sitting fireside roasting marshmallows while engaging in meaningful conversations…it truly cannot get any better than that, and you don’t even have the data available to reload your Instagram feed or Snapchat stories! So, get ready to breathe in the fresh air, enjoy some natural surroundings, and live life to the fullest in a remote area amongst those you love most.

It’s not uncommon to live in a city and be unaware of all the cool things happening around town at any given moment. Gain a new perspective of your own city by becoming a tourist for the day and exploring all the places you’ve never been—shopping centers, eateries, and local attractions are sure to keep you entertained for days on end, much less one day.

There’s so much information to be found online whether it’s destination travel site like TripAdvisor or blogs created by your favorite online influencers. And we’re sure that your high school comrades that are also in town for the summer wouldn’t mind joining you for your impromptu adventure. So, head on out and discover all the local gems your hometown has to offer. You may just find your new, favorite hangout spot for next summer.

Whether you want to appreciate some natural beauty in the great outdoors or add some excitement to your day by getting a thrill at the local amusement park, summer is a great time to experience new activities, jam-packed full of all the fun you were missing out on during the semester. So, grab a few friends or your closest family members and try your hand at any one of these awesomely bodacious summer activities!

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