"Although the weather in Chicago might have been slow to catch up, summer is officially here. With the cold, snowy days long since behind us, it’s only right that we make the most of the gloriously warm weather while we’ve got it. That means it’s time to dust off those creative skills and try out some new summer hobbies.
because his sock drawer is full and those #1 Dad mugs are collecting dust
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about adulthood, it’s that finding a hobby is more difficult than it initially seems. It can take a bit of trial and error to find what exactly lights your fire, but once you do, life just gets so much better. Whether you’re in it to fill a void, get away from your tech screens, work your creative muscles, or simply try something new, we’ve got you covered. These 30 summer hobbies are here to help you have your most fulfilling season yet:
1. Start a junk journal
While you’re out and about this summer, you’ll likely collect plenty of restaurant receipts, ticket stubs, coffee sleeves, business cards, and maybe even some travel postcards. Why not repurpose all this “junk” in a book of memories you’ll love looking back on? Junk journaling is all about using everyday items and extra scraps that would otherwise be considered junk into a fun scrapbook of sorts. All you need to get started is a blank journal, some double-sided tape or glue, and whatever scraps you have lying around.
2. Press flowers into art
Summer is the peak season for all sorts of flowers, and pressing them allows you to enjoy the beautiful blooms long after summer has ended. Whether you want to preserve flowers from a bouquet you received, blooms from your own garden, or wildflowers you picked alongside the road, pressing them is as simple as placing them between layers of parchment paper under a heavy book. In 2-4 weeks, you’ll have beautifully preserved flowers you can frame as art.
3. Try watercolor painting
Watercolor painting is the perfect artsy activity to do outdoors this summer. Because all you need is a small paint set, some brushes, and a cup of water, it’s easy to take your supplies to a park or out onto your patio or balcony. Set up with a chair or on a blanket and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine while you paint.
4. Perfect your at-home coffee recipe
One of my favorite parts of summer is that I can finally enjoy my iced coffee without my hands freezing while I hold it. There’s just nothing like that first sip of a delicious iced coffee on a sunny summer day. And if you’re anything like me, you might be guilty of a daily Starbucks stop to get your caffeine fix because it just doesn’t taste the same when you make it at home. Instead of spending $7 on coffee every day, use this summer to finally perfect your at-home coffee recipe. Your wallet will thank you.
5. Practice meditation
Taking a moment for yourself is never a bad idea, but it’s always easier said than done. Forcing yourself to clear your mind seems like an easy task, but our busy lives always find a way to seep into our thoughts. This summer, make meditation a part of your everyday routine and get one step closer to reaching your ultimate zen.
6. Try rock climbing
Girlies with a fear of heights: This hobby may not be for you. But if you feel comfortable without your feet planted firmly on the ground, it could be your new summer obsession. Start by visiting a rock climbing gym near you to learn the basics. Once you’ve mastered climbing indoors, you can even take your skills to the great outdoors. It’s the ideal hobby if you want to challenge yourself this summer, and, as an added bonus, your arms will get a killer workout.
7. Take a dip
Whether you have access to a pool or live by a beach or lake, relaxing near a body of water is a summer requirement. This year, turn your passive enjoyment of floating on the water into a full-on hobby by taking up swimming. If backstroke isn’t your thing, you can also try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking, or watersports like water polo or volleyball.
8. Cook your way through a cookbook
Level up your usual dinner rotation by choosing a cookbook to work your way through this season. Not only will you improve your cooking skills, but you will also have some new fancy recipes you can enjoy yourself or impress your friends with at your next gathering. Throw on The Bear for some chef inspiration and get cooking.
9. Discover all the outdoor patios in your town
If you asked me to picture a quintessential summer evening, my mind would immediately conjure visions of me wearing an adorable sundress and sipping a spritz on an outdoor patio. It’s the perfect way to soak up the sun while enjoying a good drink and some tasty bites. Make it your mission this summer to discover all the best outdoor patios your town has to offer. You can recruit friends to try this with you and create a final ranking when summer comes to a close.
10. Learn to do your nails at home
A fresh manicure is one of the quickest ways to boost confidence. Something about a cute color on my nails just makes me feel like I have my entire life together, even when that couldn’t be further from the truth. This summer, learn to do your nails at home so that new-nails feeling is accessible whenever needed. It might take a few tries before your nails look salon-ready, but come fall, you might just break up with your nail tech.
11. Pick up an instrument
For years, I have secretly harbored dreams of strumming a country song at a summer bonfire while my friends sing along. In order for this dream to come true, I would first have to learn how to play a single chord on the guitar. Whether you want to learn how to play the ukelele, piano, or guitar like me, make this summer the year you finally start your music career.
12. Try your hand at flower arranging
Trust us, there’s more to it than taking off the packaging and plopping your blooms in a vase. Flower arranging is an art form in itself and one of the best summer hobbies to pick up as the weather warms up. After all, nothing screams summer like an arrangement of fresh flowers on the table. To hone your flower design skills, grocery store blooms will work just fine, or you could really go all in and try growing your own. Experiment with different types of flowers and vessels to create something unique and beautiful you’ll be proud to show off.
13. Make a scrapbook
By the end of the summer, your camera roll is going to be full of pictures anyway, so why not document those memories with something a little more special? Print out those photos and preserve your favorite summertime moments with a scrapbook. To make this summer hobby even more fun, throw it all the way back to childhood and stock up on colorfully patterned paper, stickers, washi tape, and other embellishments. If you work on it throughout the summer, you’ll have a full album of your favorite memories by the season’s end.
14. Practice sketching
You don’t have to be an artist to make something beautiful. Sketching is a low-pressure form of art that anyone can pick up as a summer hobby. To get started, gather a blanket and some art supplies, and plop down in front of a good view. It could be a view of your city’s skyline, a fountain in a park, a tree in your backyard—whatever strikes your fancy! Then take your time sketching out what you see onto the paper in front of you. This is a great way to spend some time outdoors and really appreciate the world around you.
15. Get into fabric-dyeing
Tie-dyeing was THE summer hobby when we were kids, and we think it’s high time to bring it back. Working with dye can get a little messy, which makes this the perfect hobby to do outside. For an adult take on this favorite childhood activity, try shibori, a Japanese dyeing technique that involves indigo dye. Once you get the hang of it, the sky’s the limit with what you can customize with new patterns of color—think clothing, beach towels, tote bags, bedding, and so much more.
16. Take your workout outdoors
Whether you’re into yoga, running, strength training, or something else, there’s just something about being outside that makes working out more fun. Take advantage of the warm weather by moving your usual workout to your backyard, a local park, or even the beach if you live nearby. You’ll get your daily dose of vitamin D in addition to all those great mental and physical benefits of moving your body.
17. Dabble in mixology
Why pay for overpriced cocktails when you can learn to whip up your favorite drink at home? With the price of nights out ever increasing, this summer is the time to make it happen. Find recipes for your favorite cocktails online, or check out a cocktail recipe book for inspiration. Then gather your ingredients, set out your cocktail-making accessories, and toast to trying new things.
18. Take up photography
Summer is the perfect time to pick up photography and learn how to use your camera beyond “auto” mode. You’ll be able to flex your skills while documenting your favorite summer sights or snapping the perfect golden hour pics of your besties. Whether you have a DSLR or just your phone camera, learning the basics of photography can make any picture exponentially better. Watching a few online tutorials on photography basics can help you understand the camera you already have or inspire you to invest in one.
19. Develop your green thumb
Maybe you’re already a plant mom, or maybe you’re like me and can’t get within 10 feet of a plant without it passing away. Regardless of your previous skill level, gardening can be a rewarding hobby to take up in the summertime. Starting a garden can be an intimidating task, but thankfully, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get your green thumb on. Whether you prefer to read about how to plan, sow, plant, and maintain your garden or watch a YouTube series on how to get started, there are plenty of ways to learn and get growing.
20. Make your own jewelry
Arts and crafts have always been some of the most popular summer hobbies, but have you tried making your own jewelry yet? Capture your own design aesthetic in wearable pieces that you can make from the comfort of your own home. Make them for yourself, gift them to a friend, sell them on Etsy—the possibilities are endless. There are some awesome kits, books, and YouTube videos (essential techniques, supplies to purchase, and, of course, hacks) that will make getting started a whole lot easier.
21. Take a hike
Grab your hiking boots, ladies, because we’re trailblazing this summer. If you’ve been hiking before, you know that it’s one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. Hit up a local trail in your area or road trip to a place with great heights and terrain—the world is truly your playground! Get lost in thought, get those endorphins pumping, soak up some vitamin D, and let the good times roll. If you’re a beginner, invest in some good hiking gear, stay hydrated, bring a good SPF, and check out these hiking tips to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience.
22. Repurpose old fabrics
Grab your scissors and your sewing kit (or a sewing machine if you’re fancy) and prepare to transform old clothing or fabrics into something fresh, trendy, and wearable. If you’re not into sewing (yet), start with some no-sew upcycle clothing projects. When you’re ready to move on to more advanced techniques, work your sewing magic to completely transform an item you’d otherwise get rid of. Whether you want to flip thrifted pieces, try out a new trend, or personalize your wardrobe, upcycling old clothes is a fun way to enter a creative flow, express yourself, and be a bit kinder to the environment.
23. Explore new places in your town
It’s never too late to appreciate the nooks and crannies of your own hometown. Between shopping small businesses, visiting farmers markets, and hitting up festivals, there’s plenty to do come summer that will help you rediscover the beauty of your own city. Challenge yourself to visit one to two new places a week to broaden your horizons and appreciate all that your city has to offer.
24. Read in the sunshine
Name a better feeling than diving into with a good book while basking in the sunlight. We’ll wait. The slow moments of summer serve as the perfect opportunity to finally tackle that ever-growing “to-read list.” And whether you’re looking for books that keep you on the edge of your seat, let you escape reality for a while, or inspire you to be better, we’ve got some page-turning recommendations for you.
25. Hit the tennis court
Channel your inner Serena Williams because tennis is a phenomenal way to get outside, get your heart rate up, and get your sweat on. Do I personally know one thing about tennis other than the mandatory grunt that comes with serving? No. But do I enjoy the satisfying “plunk” that occasionally occurs when a tennis ball bounces perfectly off of the center of my racket? You bet. If you want to get official, you can hit up some YouTube tutorials like this one so that you can get a match going with a friend.
26. Practice journaling
Journaling is a great way to get in touch with your inner self, explore new ideas, and express what is weighing on your heart. Whether you view journaling as a way to record a stream of thoughts or as an outlet to discover your purpose, getting started can be a therapeutic addition to your “me time.” Plus, you can take it just about anywhere (early sunny morning on the Chicago lakefront, anyone?).
27. Learn to golf
Golf may seem a little intimidating if you’ve never hit the links before, but it’s a fun summer hobby that you can stick with for (pretty much) ever. There are so many components to golf that you can spend time mastering (putting, chipping, driving, driving the golf cart while looking cute in golf attire, etc.). While investing in a set of clubs can be a bit expensive, a good set can last you a lifetime.
28. Go on bike rides
Zipping around on a bike with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face is an unmatched feeling. It takes me straight back to summer nights in my hometown as a kid and leaves me nostalgic AF. This summer, recapture some of that carefree childhood feeling by hopping on a bike and exploring. If you don’t already own one, many cities offer affordable bike rentals you can hop on for the afternoon. Just be sure to wear your helmet!
29. Update old furniture (or start from scratch)
There’s a big learning curve when it comes to tackling anything handy—especially if you’re like me—but after watching stunning home improvement projects on TikTok for a few hours, I suddenly feel like I am Joanna Gaines herself and start looking at my old furniture thinking, “oh, I for sure can sand and stain that!” Entering the world of home improvement is no joke, but the payoff is great. Not only will you feel a sense of “holy shit, I did that” accomplishment, but it can also result in some really great pieces that save you a ton of money in the long run.
30. Foster an animal
If you’ve fostered an animal before, you know that fostering is one of the most rewarding and mutually beneficial relationships in the game. Not only can it result in cuddles, kisses, and overall cuteness overload, but it’ll also help prepare the animal for future adoption and free up room in the shelter, allowing the shelter to take new animals in. It’s a great way to experience puppy or kitty love without long-term commitment and help out a furry friend in need (and your community). Reach out to shelters in your area to find fostering opportunities near you and thank me later!
Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
Ashley’s first love in life is writing and, since working at The Everygirl, her passion has grown to encompass all forms of content creation. Since joining our company, Ashley has grown her creative instincts and merged them with metrics-driven strategy, bringing a fresh perspective to our team.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.