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Katherine Moon
Katherine Isabella Moon
Meow, hello there, my name is Katherine, but you can call me Kat; because I basically am a cat. Anyways, I am a 26-year-old, lifestyle blogger, with an INFP-T personality type, from the United States. I love fashion, the color pink, cats, dogs, and spending all my time on my computer. I'm often seen wearing cat ears headbands.
The Kat Life
The Kat Life

how I'm choosing to live my best life

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

20 Ways To Enjoy Summertime At Home

Woman holding a summer pineapple
Photo courtesy of Karolina Grabowska of KaboomPics

Without any hesitation, when asked what my favorite season was, I would always say Summer, as I'm sure many people would say. Summertime is often an exciting time of the year for a lot of people, especially those who frequently visit theme parks, festivals, beaches, pools, or other places that are often associated with summer. When you're a child or teen, Summer means school is out, and you're free to do what you want without worrying about homework. For many people, Summer means spending extra time and making memories with friends and family. Although for me, as an introverted homebody, my enjoyment of Summer has always come more from the season itself, and the fact that the weather is usually pleasant, it's the exact opposite of Winter. 

That being said, more often than not, I'd find myself spending almost the entirety of the summertime at home. And while there are a few summer activities I'm more than happy to venture away from home for, I can't say that I haven't found ways to make the most of my summers right from home. And it looks like this year, we're all going to have to try to find ways to make the most of this summer at home. Sure, things are starting to open up again, but I don't particularly feel great about going into potentially crowded places in the name of Summer fun. Even though 2020 was supposed to be the year I got out more, I'm okay with having my Summer fun at home for another year if it means staying safe and keeping others safe. I certainly know how to enjoy the lovely weather from home, so this year I'll do just that once again.


20 Ways To Enjoy Summertime At Home


1 - Go for a walk

While going for a walk isn't entirely a "stay-at-home" activity, every now and then, it isn't a horrible idea to get away from the house for a little while to avoid going stir crazy. I often find that even a quick 30-minute walk around the block is a great mood booster when I need some fresh air and a change of scenery. Personally, I like to go for my walks early in the morning, as I know there won't be too many other people out in the morning. It's also a little more comfortable temperature-wise in the morning than in the afternoon, especially if you're wearing a mask. Not gonna lie, it can get rather stuffy inside a mask on a hot day, but that does not mean you should leave it. At the very least, I'd at least bring a mask with you on your walks right now, and have it ready to put on quickly if you come across other people.

Also, I'm sure you already know this by now, but try to keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Right now, it isn't rude at all to actively avoid people passing by. It's actually the polite thing to do. Still, if possible, try to avoid walking in crowded places, and go for your walk when there isn't likely to be many other people outside. At least as long as quarantine lasts.


2 - Take your workout outdoors

If you're into fitness, and you have enough flat space for it outside, try taking your workout outdoors. You'll seriously be glad that you did. I personally love working out outside when the weather permits, and getting some fresh air and feeling the breeze, while I get my sweat on. It's quite a nice change of pace from working out in my bedroom, I must say. I do recommend preparing your workout before you head outside, as I've found it's hard to see a video on a sunny day, but I also find it can be fun to improvise on the spot and do your own thing. I also strongly suggest doing your workout early in the morning or late in the evening when it's a little cooler out, especially for vigorous exercise. Be safe about it, and bring some extra water outside with you to keep you hydrated, and listen to your body and stop what you're doing right away if you start to feel too hot.


3 - Take some of your favorite activities outside

If you enjoy reading, why not take a book outdoors and read in the natural daylight? Or perhaps you could bring some colored pencils and a coloring book outside and color away as you sit on your back patio, or maybe work on your next bullet journal spread while getting some fresh air. Many indoor activities can be taken outdoors when the weather permits, so you can easily stay occupied while you enjoy the lovely weather. It may be difficult to do anything that involves a screen outside, but it's never a bad idea to get away from screens for a little while anyway.


4 - Create some summer crafts

If you like to get creative, perhaps you would enjoy creating a few Summer crafts. There are many different Summer crafts that you could try. You could upcycle some things that you'd have otherwise thrown away into planters or lanterns, you could get by creative painting rocks or flower pots, there are so many options for what you could do. Perhaps you'd like to tie-dye a shirt or make a tie-dye dress. You could experiment with different slime recipes, or maybe take some of those messier crafts outside, so you don't have to worry about making a mess inside. Your options are endless! If you need some inspiration, there are thousands of ideas for Summer crafts on Pinterest, many of which can also make a great group or family activity with those in your household.


5 - Have some fun with sidewalk chalk

Sidewalk chalk is not just for kids, although I'll be honest, there aren't many things that I view as being exclusively for kids, but that's beside the point. My point is, drawing with sidewalk chalk is one of those things that can be fun for people of all ages, even teens and adults. It's one of those things that can instantly bring you back to your childhood. But perhaps now that you're older, you could sit down and try to create a piece of art with sidewalk chalk, and maybe share what you've created to Instagram after you're done. If you have children of your own or you're babysitting younger children, I am sure that they would love it if you joined them in drawing with sidewalk chalk too. You could truly make a day out of drawing with sidewalk chalk and have a lot of fun with it.


6 - Make some home movies

If you're feeling extra creative, you could break out the video camera (or your phone), and make some home movies during the summer. You could choose to get extra creative and create your own characters for a storyline that you came up with, or you could make an impromptu film and make everything up on the spot. Or perhaps, you could choose to simply vlog your day. It's entirely up to you whether you want to share your videos or not, although if you have the dream of starting a YouTube channel, why not give it a go? You never know what might come from it! But seriously, it could be a lot of fun to make some home movies, so if it interests you, give it a try. 


7 - Practice your photography outdoors

Although I must say that Autumn is my favorite season for photography, for obvious reasons, you can still get some beautiful shots during the summertime. So if you have a love for photography, get outside and start taking photos. Use the natural light to take a few selfies, snap a few pictures of the flowers or anything in nature, get some photos of the sunrise or the sunset, have fun with your photography. If you go for a walk, take your camera or use your phone to take some pics along the way. You never know, you just might get some amazing shots to add to your Instagram feed, or perhaps you could sell them as stock photos and make a little bit of money off of them. You could also print off some of your favorites to keep in a photo album or use them in your scrapbook if you're into scrapbooking. It's all up to you what you choose to do with your Summer photography, so just have some fun with it.


8 - Find some ways get in touch with your inner child

As someone who likes to stay in touch with my youthful side, I love all of the little ways that I can relive some of my childhood memories during the summertime. Even the smallest things like blowing bubbles, running through the sprinkler, playing hopscotch, or breaking out the super soaker can bring back some fond childhood memories and make for a great time. It may seem a little silly, but that's the point. Summer is a time to have some fun and let loose, it's a time to not be so serious for a moment, and to have a good time. Allow yourself to relive your childhood a little bit. If you have children, share that little bit of your childhood with them, it could be a great way to bond with them and create some new memories. Seriously though, the fun doesn't need to stop just because you're older.


9 - Play some backyard games

If you need an outdoor family activity that'll be fun for people of all ages, break out the backyard games that you enjoyed when you were younger, before mobile games became your primary time-killer. Backyard activities like cornhole, horseshoes, croquet, disc golf, or even a simple game of catch can get you and your household active and off of your phones for a little while. If you don't have a ton of space outdoors, perhaps you could bring some board games outdoors, or maybe play some verbal games while sitting on your porch. Find a way to spend a little bit of time and have some fun with those in your household, even if you have to make up your own games.


10 - Have a backyard picnic

When the weather permits, it can be a lovely experience to take your breakfast, lunch, or dinner outdoors. Personally, I find that taking my lunch outdoors actually helps me to focus more on my meal, as I'm often trying to multitask when I eat at my desk with my laptop right in front of me. I also must say that it can be pleasant to be surrounded by nature and listen to the sounds of the outdoors while you eat, rather than trying to find something to watch on Netflix (or YouTube) and be stuck in the house. It's also something that can be enjoyable whether you choose to do it with the entire family, make it a date with your significant other, or if you opt to do it solo. Even just taking a small snack outside could be a great way to get some fresh air and get a few minutes of sunshine.


Summer fruit and popsicle
Photo courtesy of Kim Daniels on Unsplash


11 - Prepare your own summer treats

If you enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, or you're in the mood for a special treat, spend a little time preparing something special to have as a summery treat. Summer is the perfect time to try making your own popsicles, or maybe even make your own ice cream if you have an ice cream maker. There's also always the option to simply go all out and put together the ultimate ice cream sundae. Or perhaps you could add some fruit to jello and make it a special summery treat, or try your hand at making some homemade pudding. If you need something a little more grab-and-go, you could always get creative by putting together your own trail mix. Your options are endless, whether you choose to make some healthy snacks or some indulgent treats. If you need recipes, you'll find an abundance of summery recipes on Pinterest.


12 - Prepare some summery drinks

Who doesn't love an ice-cold summery drink on a hot day? And when it's a homemade drink, it's even better! Summer is the best time for milkshakes and smoothies, as well as fresh-squeezed lemonade or orange juice. It's also the perfect time to get creative with different iced-tea recipes and fruit-infused water. Just keep in mind that highly sugary drinks are meant to be a treat, and will not keep you hydrated; as a matter of fact, that can actually dehydrate you, same with alcohol (although I personally never drink anyway). Caffeine can also cause you to feel dehydrated. Remember that fun summery drinks are not a replacement for water, although you can infuse your water with some fruit for some flavor.


13 - Roast some marshmallows

Although we're not exactly allowed to have bonfires where I live, I've always enjoyed roasting marshmallows over the fire on the grill. Even if we couldn't have a bonfire in my neighborhood, it was still a fun experience when my mom would pull out the metal skewers and a bag of marshmallows after a barbeque. Plus, I must say, marshmallows taste amazing once they are roasted. I absolutely adore that little bit of crisp on the outside and the gooey center on the inside. You could also opt to make some smores as an extra special treat if you choose; it's entirely up to you.


14 - Throw a backyard party for your household

If you can find any reason to celebrate during the summertime, why not throw a little party in your backyard? Whether for the 4th of July (if you live in the US), graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, or whatever else, throw a little celebration for those in your household. You can choose to go all out with decorations, party favors, fun activities, music, food, and whatever your heart desires, or you could keep it simple and just have a barbeque. Simply find a reason to celebrate, plan it out, and spend some quality time with those that you live with.


15 - Go camping in your backyard

I'll be honest with you, I'm not much of a camper. I never did go to Summer camp as a child, and I've never been on a single camping trip. Although it may be fun for many people, camping in the woods with little to no access to running water or electricity is not my thing. However, I would be open to camping in my backyard, with my house just steps away, to get a little feel for the experience. It's definitely on my bucket list to set up a tent in the backyard, prepare some smores over the grill, tell some scary stories, and sleep outside for one night. As long as I know that a real bathroom is close, and my phone gets a signal, it could make for a fun experience for a night.


16 - Take a moment to look at the clouds or the stars

Did you ever look up at the clouds when you were a child, and give some thought to what each cloud sort of looked like? I most certainly did. I feel as if a lot of us did before we were constantly looking down at a screen. I would also find myself looking up at the stars at night and trying to find the best one to make a wish upon; as a matter of fact, I still do this. Although now I find that it's easy to get distracted by my phone, every now and then, the sky will still capture my attention. Perhaps I'll catch a really cool looking cloud out the corner of my eye, or I'll notice that the sunset looks particularly colorful that evening. Sometimes when I'm taking my dog out at night, something about the moon will catch my attention, or I'll notice that the stars are shining bright on a clear night. Perhaps the moon may be visible early in the morning or before the sun sets in the evening.

All of that being said, allow yourself to take a moment to pause and just look up at the sky. Watch the clouds pass by, take the time to pay attention to the sunrise or the sunset, look at the stars, perhaps try to identify different constellations. Take a moment to take notice of something you often pay little attention to, aside from deciding whether you may need an umbrella or not. Who knows, you just might find a rainbow on a rainy day.


17 - Pick some flowers from your own garden

If you have your own flower garden, you don't need to go to the florist to get some beautiful fresh flowers to set on your nightstand. You could potentially create a gorgeous arrangement on your own, using just the plants that you have growing in your own flower bed. It's an easy way to get yourself some flowers, and the best part is, it won't cost you any extra.


18 - Create a small care package for your neighbors

If you have some neighbors that you get along well with, you could make them a small care package to drop off at their doorstep. It doesn't necessarily have to be a costly or fancy gift. Toss in a few snacks, personal care items, fun little things, or whatever you feel might make their day. If you have some extra masks, or you've been making your own cloth masks, and you'd like to throw one into your care package, they are often much appreciated during this time as well. If you wish, you could also throw in a letter or card to let them know who it's from, or remain anonymous. It's all up to you!

FYI, with social distancing, even just a simple letter letting someone know you're thinking about them could mean a lot to someone. You don't actually have to spend anything at all to make someone's day.


19 - Create a summer playlist

Are there any songs that instantly make you think about Summer for one reason or another? Whether the songs are about Summer itself, or just make you think about summertime, it can be a lot of fun to compile some of your favorite summery songs into a playlist that you can listen to all summer long. Perhaps you could listen to this playlist while you do any of the activities that I've mentioned previously! Or you could listen to it while you take a break from the sun and do something inside, and keep the summer vibes going while you're getting things done in the house.


20 - Watch your favorite Summer movies

On days where the weather isn't cooperating, whether it's raining or it's too damn hot to be outside, it can be fun to stay in the house and watch some summery movies to keep the vibe going from your couch. Although, if you have a projector, you could also turn your backyard into a home movie theater at night and watch some movies while enjoying the pleasant whether under the stars. Or perhaps you could set out a blanket on a Summer night and watch some movies on your laptop, whether alone or maybe with your significant other. Whatever you choose to do, grab some snacks, put on your favorite movies, and relax.



While spending your summer at home may not be what comes to mind for you when you think of Summer fun, it doesn't have to be a complete bummer. You don't need to travel or do anything extravagant to have a great time and make lasting summer memories. You don't even need to spend a ton of money. You can have a great Summer without going far beyond your back porch. I know that a lot of you have had plans canceled, and Summer 2020 is not going to be what you expected. But you can't just sit around and bum yourself out, because the truth is, there's nothing we can do about that, but we can still make the most of it.

What are some of your favorite Summer activities to do from home? How has quarantine affected your plans for this summer? Do you have any plans to make the most of your summer at home during quarantine? Are you an introvert like me, and you're almost relieved to not have to go to many places this year? Let me know, I'd love to hear about your plans for this summer!

Oh, and don't forget to put on sunscreen if you're going to be spending any length of time outside. It's still important to protect yourself from those harmful UV rays!

20 Ways To Enjoy Summertime At Home
Thank you for reading, and I hope the rest of your day is wonderful!
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