Ah, summer! Time for family fun and simple pleasures. Don’t let it slip away without making some memories. Whether you’re in the mood for fun in the sun or soaking up some air conditioning, there’s lots of ways for you to take advantage of summertime.
For a lot of us, money can be tight. We get it. Here are a few ideas that are fun, interactive, and most importantly, AFFORDABLE.
Outdoor fun
- Splash around. Summer is all about swimming. Pools are fine, but there’s nothing like a sandy beach or natural swimming hole. In Ohio, head to Lake Erie’s Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. Or check out the gorgeous blue waters at White Star Quarry, a diving resort in Sandusky County, and enjoy a clear water scuba diving experience without having to travel. Road-tripping across the country this summer? Find one of these epic swimming holes. Don’t feel like driving? Have an old-fashioned water balloon fight, or just play in the sprinkler.
- Go fishing. It doesn’t have to be expensive or require a motor — and you might catch dinner! With more than 50,000 lakes and ponds to choose from in Ohio, you’re sure to find a good spot close to home. Unless you’re on private property, you’ll need a fishing license.
- Sleep outside. Whether you’re into roughing it or glamping, it’s great to get a little closer to nature — and think of the selfies! Visit a state park or find a secluded hideaway. Not so adventurous? Pitching a tent in the backyard is fun for kids — big or little.
- Attend a festival. Summer is festival season across the United States, and here in Ohio, there’s plenty to choose from — from Old Fashioned Farmers Days in Van Wert to the Annie Oakley Festival at the Darke County Fairgrounds. This website shows a 2024 festival guide by state, so whether you want to stay in Ohio or visit another state, you’re covered either way.
- Run a 5K. Signing up for a 5k is a great way to challenge yourself to get out there. Whether you choose to run or walk, or go solo or with a friend, have experience or not, crossing that finish line is the same amazing experience for everyone. The Elephant Run 5k, New Albany Independence Day 5k, and Grove City Firecracker 5k are all great events to participate in if running a 5k is on your summer bucket list this year.
Keeping it cool
- Visit a museum. Whatever your interests, you’ll find a museum to appeal to them, from the National Museum of the Great Lakes, including the S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker, to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Got a gearhead to please? The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Northeast Ohio is a ca n’t-miss. If quiet observation isn’t always the vibe for you, you can even go with friends and make a game out of it. Create a scavenger hunt or take selfies posing like the art. The possibilities are endless.
- Go to the library. Ohio has 251 public library systems with 481 branch locations, so there’s bound to be one near you. Besides checking out books and movies, you can take a class, attend special events or browse a digital gallery of art or photography. And a little peace and quiet is good for the nerves. Click here to find a library local to you, and maybe go learn something new.
- Check out a cave. Try the Ohio Caverns in West Liberty, billed as “America’s most colorful caverns,” or Seneca Caverns in Bellevue, “the caviest cave in the USA,” where you can go on a guided lantern tour. You might even need a light jacket — both caves are a refreshing 54 degrees year-round.
- Just stay home. Have a family game night, create an art project, make homemade freezer pops, build a fort, or put together a scrapbook full of summer photos and memories. You can also find trendy summer ideas online, like having a themed picnic or learning new crafts. Either way, there’s lots of room to be creative. Sometimes the best memories are made at home.
Make your list
Remind yourself to make the most of your family’s summer. Download this Summer Bucket List form, and keep it on the wall or fridge. If you don’t get it all done, don’t beat yourself up — save your list and get it out next year. Just make sure you have a great summer!
