Celebrate summer with this warm - weather checklist . Everything on the list can be done while spending time with friends and family .

Grab your beach towel , plan a barbecue , and get quick to pass some quality metre with your champion and family . This is the summertime you were dreaming about during those cold winter months .

Plan an outdoor adventure ( like camping in the backyard or seeing a push - in motion-picture show ) , and squeeze in some extra clock time together by enlist everyone in the macrocosm of a luscious summertime treat , or picking sweet yield and vegetables . Technically , summer get on June 21 , but any cheery day is a in force time to print out our summer checklist and get started on these warm weather condition must - do .

Smoothie Pops

Credit: Carson Downing

1. Make Ice Pops

There ’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summertime day than a delicious quick-frozen goody . And luckily , they ’re easy enough to make at home . Help the child block their scrumptioussmoothie pops .

2. See a Drive-In Movie

force - in film theaters are visualize a revival . discover one near you , pack the auto full of popcorn and snacks , and savor a family outing . If there ’s no drive - in near you , considersetting up an outdoor movie screenin your backyard .

3. Watch Fireworks

There ’s nothing more traditional than ascertain a fireworks show on the Fourth of July . There have been pyrotechnic on every Fourth of July since 1777 — the yr after the Declaration of Independence was signed . cast off a viewing party with a barbecue and refreshful cool desserts .

4. Learn to Sew

Some day it ’s just too spicy to venture outside , so summer is the arrant time to pluck up a new hobby . you’re able to easily instruct yourself how to run up by working your way through oursewing pathfinder for beginners , then try out one ofour easy sewing projects . Order a beginner ’s stitching kit and you ’ll be run up up yourtote bagin no sentence .

5. Read a Book

You might not be get up on your version on a tropical islet , but summer is the perfect time to pick up a good beach read , and there are plenty of good Holy Writ by female writer perfect for your version list .

6. Go on a Hike

After winter ’s chill , we could all habituate a breathing space of smart line . Studies show that taking a 20 - mo walk or hike in nature can importantly lower tension grade — so catch your favorite duad of sneakers and find the nearest walking trail .

7. Grill Out

assemble the family for an internal backyard barbeque . If you do n’t already have an outdoor grill , summertime is the sodding prison term to place in one . Throw some bratwursts on and evoke up deliciousgrilled corn on the cobthat everyone will savor . For afters , make a batch of classic homemade shabu cream .

8. Help a Charity

If you ’re looking for ways to give back this summer , regard giving to a local charity . Traditionally , contribution for food larder and protection top out around the holiday time of year , which intend the summer slow - down is a great clip to serve out . These establishment are likely help an overwhelming number of masses in penury , so if you ’re capable to donate time or money , reach out and inquire how you could help .

9. Plant Vegetables

Nothing sample good in the summer than tomatoes fresh from the vine , and they ’re fairly gentle to develop yourself . You ’ll need toplant lovesome - time of year vegetables(tomatoes , peppers , and cucumbers ) in early summertime , depend on your hardiness zona . When everything ’s ripe , deform your veggies into a delicioussummer salsa .

10. Set Up a Pool

So you do n’t have a pool ? No worries . These inflatable pools will last all summer , and they ’ll look expectant in your backyard . Throw a grown - up pool party for your friends , or determine up a makeshift outdoor waterpark for the kids . Either way , do n’t forget the sunscreen .

11. Volunteer

There are lashings of slipway you may offer from menage ( you do n’t even have to get off the couch ) or sign up to help others in your neighborhood .

12. Have a Picnic

A outing in the park is one of the more delightful way toenjoy a repast with friendsthis summer . seize a cover or two andpack your basket full of kickshaw .

13. Make Tie-Dye Shirts

Tie - dyeing is cause a comeback . Whether you ’re looking for a summertime craft for the kids , or want to dye a voguish sweatshirt for yourself , pick up how to marry - dyeis merriment and comfortable .

14. Visit the Beach

If you go near a beach , grab the sunscreen and a couch chair and spend an afternoon slow down in the sun . It ’s a great way to celebrate summer .

15. Go Camping

Did you forget to reserve a camping billet in a national park ? Round up the folk and host a merriment campout in your backyard . Gather around the firepit(or the grillroom ) to roast marshmallow , and set up tents so you may sleep under the stars . This adventure may not imply an exciting route stumble or a cross - country flight of stairs , but the family memories will be just as fresh .

16. Make S’mores

Even if your family is n’t the type to set up tents in the backyard , everyone will enjoy cook ( and consume ) super - easy s’mores . You have sex the drill : joint a few marshmallow and sandwich them between chocolate and graham crackers for a sweet , gooey dessert . After you ’ve made them a few time , up your s’mores game with these delectable recipe .

17. Go Strawberry Picking

Find out if there ’s a berry farm near you , and get quick for your tyke to fill their basket . When you get home , you ’ll be able to wangle up these deliciousfast and fresh strawberry recipes .

18. Build a Firepit

Plan on a relaxing evening around the firing . And if you do n’t have an out-of-door flack characteristic , now ’s the prison term . It ’s signally easy tobuild a firepit — seriously , you could get it done in an afternoon — so you ’ll be able to spend summertime nights enjoy the flak ’s lovely flickering light and warmth .

19. Make Ice Cream

It ’s not summer without a fresh glacial treat , and what better time to mix up a bucketful of homemade ice pick ? Start with oursweet cream ice cream baseand add dissimilar ingredients tomake your own delicious flavors . Enjoy a dish ofstrawberry and emollient tall mallow ice cream , or serve cones of our deliciouspeach water ice cream , which tastes just like summer .

20. Bake a Cake

We ’re planning to enjoy some fourth dimension at place this summer — so when better to make a delicious cake for the whole family to enjoy ? Decorate afestive Fourth of July cakeor lionise a summertime birthday with one of ourclassic patty formula .

21. Go on a Bike Ride

Gather booster or family for a bike drive on a local path or bike lead . If you ’ve never learn how to do it , now ’s the perfect metre to startle ride . Do n’t draw a blank your sunblock , piss , and a trail snack .

22. Eat Corn on the Cob

Whether you make it on the grillroom , in the oven , or in a sight on the range , corn on the cobis a classic treat we ’ll be making all summer . you could evenprepare it in the air fryer . No matter how you make it , flavour yours with one of our tastycorn - on - the - filbert recipes .

23. Send Snail Mail

summertime is packed with route trips and weekend getaways to see friends and mob . But you ca n’t always see everyone . For those you wo n’t get a fortune to visit this year , brighten a day with a handwritten card or letter , and show them you ’re think of them .

24. Make Lemonade

As the saying go , when animation gives you lemon , make lemonade . And luckily , a pitcher offreshly - squeezed lemonadeis one of our favorite summer raw material . Whether you relish it poolside or on the couch with a good playscript , thisdelicious summertime treatwill brighten your day .

flowers, sunglasses and wallet in beige tote bag

Credit: Brie Passano

fourth of july hot dogs july 2019 cover image

Credit: Carson Downing

tie dye hanging outside

Credit: Allison Cottrill

ice cream in scoops

Credit: Andy Lyons

corn on the cob with a butter brush and bowls of salt and pepper

Credit: Karla Conrad