Whether you are single, looking forward to a summer with friends, part of a couple, eager to spend a summer outdoors, or you have kids at home and you are keen to spend a summer together, exploring the great outdoors, this is an exciting time of year.
Sunshine is the perfect excuse to ditch the screens, to spend more time together, and to get more fresh air, exercise, and vitamin D.
This year, with lockdowns and restrictions still fresh in our minds, many of us are looking forward to a slightly different summer. Some retro activities have been growing in popularity for a few years, but for now, when there’s still lots of uncertainty about travel and indoor mixing, these activities are sure to be more popular than ever.
Kayaking
If you love being out on the water, kayaking could be the perfect summer activity. Summer is a great time to go on a lake in a kayak, exploring, relaxing, and catching some sunshine.
You can kayak on local rivers, larger lakes, in the sea, or at other spots of open water. It can be very intense and physically demanding, or it can be very slow and gentle. You’ll see plenty of wildlife and nature as you move through the water, and even if you are on the same stretch of water, every trip will be slightly different.
Camping
Camping has always been popular, but many families have never tried it, instead choosing to spend their vacations in comfortable hotels at luxury resorts.
Last summer, and perhaps this, those hotels have been closed, and we’ve had to find other ways to spend time away from home with our loved ones. Many of us have turned to camping, with tent sales rising.
Camping is a fantastic way to spend quality time with the people that you love, away from the pulls of modern life. It’s also a great way to learn more about the environment, to see more wildlife, and to get some fresh air.
Fruit Picking
Most of us at some point went berry picking when we were kids. But, with the growth of large supermarkets, stocking fruit from all over the world, all year long, fruit picking declined in popularity.
However, things are changing. We’re becoming more aware of the importance of eating in season and buying and eating from local sources. Berry picking, even if you pay to go to a pick-your-own-style farm, is cheap, it’s easy, it is a fantastic way to spend time, and a great way to learn more about what we eat and where it comes from.
Rollerblading and Bike Riding
A growing concern for the planet and the damage we’re doing has led to a decline in car use over the last few years. Many of us are turning to bikes, scooters, and rollerblades, not just as a fun hobby, but also as a way to get from A to B.
If you are still using your car for even short journeys, summer is the perfect time to try an alternative route while having some fun and getting some exercise.
Wild Swimming
With large health centers and swimming complexes in most large towns, there’s been little need to swim outdoors for a long time. But wild swimming is still growing in popularity. There are many advantages to swimming outdoors in cold water, and more people than ever are giving it a go.
There’s so much to do outdoors, whether you want to travel or stick to your local area. Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore. Why don’t you put your phone down and enjoy some old-school outdoor fun?
