Things to Do in the Summer Holidays

Summer’s here, and you’ve got time off work, uni, or college. Holidays are meant to be a time to relax and unwind after a busy few months. However, if you haven’t had time to plan your downtime, it can, ironically, be a bit stressful! 

While there is a lot to be said for just relaxing, it’s also valuable to think about things to do during summer holidays. If you’re busy the rest of the year, having time off when the weather’s warm and the days are long gives you a unique opportunity to develop your interests or try things you couldn’t otherwise do. 

This guide is mainly aimed at adults, although many of the ideas could also potentially serve as things to do with kids in summer holidays too. Use it as inspiration for your time off. 

Why you should take leisure time seriously

Before exploring things to do in summer holidays, it’s first worth asking why this is so important. In our productivity-focused age, many of us see work as the be-all and end-all. But your time off is just as, if not more, valuable.

There is an entire branch of academia dedicated to the study of leisure time. And multiple analyses have found that people take part in more leisure activities also experience:

• Improved mental health, with lower rates of depression, stress and anxiety
• Better physical health, including reduced rates of non-communicable diseases
• People who do more leisure activities have improved longevity

So, finding fun things to do in the summer holidays isn’t just a way to pass the time - it could literally help you live longer. 

18 things to do in the summer holidays

We’ve broken down our list of things to do in the summer holidays into the following categories:

• Getting active
• Nature time
• Food
• Events and organised activities
• Social time
• Refresh and revitalise

Getting active in summer

Trying a new sport or physical activity is one of the best things to do during the summer holidays. Thanks to the warmer weather and longer days, it’s often a lot easier to get into these sorts of pursuits. 

1. Join outdoor group fitness classes

Whether you’re signing up for well-known brands like CrossFit or HYROX, or simply an aerobics class in your local park, outdoor fitness classes are a great thing to try in the summer. Besides helping build your fitness, these kinds of classes are also super social, making them a great way to meet new, like-minded people. 

Related: 6 tips for working out in hot weather

2. Try wild swimming

Wild swimming has boomed in popularity in recent years. If you’re intrigued but haven’t tried it yet, then the warm summer conditions are ideal for beginners. Search online for local groups and advice on safe swimming spots near you. Remember, some rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can be unpredictable, so always go with other more experienced swimmers. 

3. Go off-roading

Summertime is an ideal opportunity to try some off-road activities. Drier conditions make these activities less challenging:

• Hiking
• Trail running
• Mountain biking

4. Get out onto the water

Summer is also the ideal season to try a new water-based sport. There are tons of options, so check local listings to find out what’s on near you—there will usually be someone offering beginner’s classes or taster sessions:

• Sea kayaking
• Canoeing
• White water rafting
• Paddle boarding
• Sailing
• Wake boarding
• Surfing or kite surfing

Related: Summer sports to get you outside

5. Green fingers

If you have outdoor space—or access to an allotment—then summer can be a great time to get into gardening. It’s true that if you want to build a garden, then you should start in spring. However, if you’ve got a few weeks available in summer, it’s still a great time for things like:

• Sowing seeds for perennial plants
• Pruning any flowering shrubs
• Feeding and watering existing plants
• Deadheading spent flowers
• Mowing your lawn
• Staking any perennials

Spending time in nature

There is a growing body of evidence that spending time in nature is incredibly valuable for our mental health. And thanks to the season’s warm weather, the summer holidays are an ideal time to do it. 

Now, heading to your local park, a nearby wood, or going for a walk by the sea are all good options. But here are some ideas for taking your nature time to the next level.

6. Try forest bathing

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a form of meditation first developed in Japan in the 1980s. Based on research that showed people who spent time mindfully exploring forests had lower blood pressure, stress levels, and better concentration, it has been promoted there through a national health programme. And now it’s catching on in other countries too. 

To get into forest bathing, you simply head to a wooded area and slowly wander through the trees, listening to the sounds of nature and taking in the environment. You might also enjoy sitting on a log and contemplating the world around you.

7. Wildlife watching

Summer’s an amazing time to get into nature watching, and many birds, mammals, sea creatures, and even insects are especially active and easy to spot during this season. Local wildlife groups may offer free tours, while there are also networks of bird watching groups or paid-for guided experiences. 

8. Go foraging

With many berries, fruit trees, mushrooms, and edible plants in their prime, summer is a brilliant time to try foraging. Sign up for a course near you, and you’ll find out how to find food in the woods, what’s good to eat (and what to avoid), and how to cook it too. Remember: It’s super important to get instruction from an expert, since it’s easy to make mistakes and pick things that could be harmful. 

9. Up your kitchen skills

If you’ve got a few weeks off, then learning new cooking skills can be a practical and fun thing to do in the summer holidays. Here are some ideas:

• Start baking sourdough: With a few weeks off you’ll have time to make a starter from scratch and bake your first loaf.
• Get into fermented food: Things like sauerkraut, pickles and kimchi are good for your gut but take time to get started - which makes your summer holidays an ideal opportunity to start making them yourself.
• Make your own jam: With a glut of berries, summer’s a great time to learn to make your own jam (plus home made varieties can be lower in sugar than shop-bought).
• Become a barbecue buff: If you’re bored of basic barbecue fare (i.e. burnt veggie sausages, burgers and supermarket coleslaw), then summer is the ideal season to become a master of marinades and a salad supreme. You can also learn to distribute heat and smoke on your outdoor cooker like a pro.

Get some events in your calendar

Most cities, towns and regions will have a packed summer schedule of events - many of which will be free. Often, it’s just a case of scanning the listings in advance and finding fun stuff to do with friends, family, or even solo. 

10. Local festivals

Didn’t get tickets to the major summer music festivals? No biggie. There are usually a plethora of summer music, arts and food festivals running throughout the season. True, these won’t all have household-name headliners, but you will be supporting up and coming artists. And in the end, aren’t festivals really just about spending quality time with your nearest and dearest? 

11. Group holidays

If your friends and family have other commitments, that doesn’t mean you can’t go travelling this summer. There are plenty of companies that offer tour packages where you can meet likeminded solo travellers. Whether it’s a week learning to surf, cultural tours or fitness bootcamps, these kinds of trips are an amazing way to meet people and potentially make friends for life. 

12. Get arty

Learning new arts and crafts is one of the best things to do in the summer holidays. Whether it’s learning to draw, figuring out how to use water colours, or attending pottery classes, there are tons of organisations and volunteer groups who can provide materials and instruction. 

Do something different with friends and family

We all get into routines when seeing certain people in our lives, right? It’s the gym with Friend A. The coffee shop with Friend B. The local pub with Cousin C. 

Summertime is an ideal time to mix things up and try something new. Not only can this be more interesting, but you also see a different side to a person when you meet them in a new context. Here are some things to try. 

13. Be a tourist in your own town

Go on a walking tour around local historical sites. Learning about local history, places, and events can give you a new appreciation for where you live and spark interesting conversations. 

14. Go on a tasting tour

Ever wanted to learn more about the coffee, chocolate, wine, beer, or cheese you consume? Summer’s a great time for going on tasting tours. Many companies, farms, and small-scale producers offer site visits, and it’s often more enjoyable when the sun’s out. 

15. Hit up museums and exhibitions

Practically all museums and cultural institutions will be putting on a ton of events and exhibitions throughout the summer. Unlike visiting on weekends, weekdays are usually quieter, even in the height of summer. That means you’ll have more time and space to enjoy looking at artworks and exhibits during your holidays. 

Refresh and revitalise

If you’ve got a stressful job or have been up late revising for exams, taking time to refresh and revitalise is one of the best things to do in the summer holidays. 

Now, we’re talking about doing a bit more than unwinding in front of the TV or doing some basic stretches. Here are some ideas for maximizing relaxation. 

16. Go on a digital detox

Ever feel overwhelmed and stressed by endless notifications, alerts, and updates? You’re not alone. Almost 40% of people in the UK say they’d like to do a digital detox. So, if you’ve got a few weeks away from work and study, then now’s the ideal time to leave the phone in a drawer somewhere and spend some time offline. 

17. Sign up for a retreat

Whether it’s a night away or several weeks, summer is an ideal time to join a retreat. There are endless options here, so it depends on your interests—yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, fitness, whatever else floats your boat.

18. Declutter your home

Have a garage, loft, shed, or spare room full of stuff you no longer use? There’s something genuinely liberating about clearing it out. With more time available, you can sort through what needs to go to the dump, what can go to charity, what can be recycled, and what you can sell via online platforms. 

Endless things to do in the summer holidays

There are so many potential things to do in the summer holidays, the possibilities really are endless. But sometimes, you just need that spark of inspiration—we hope some of the ideas above can do just that. 

Words by Len Williams