Summer is quickly approaching, and it is important for students to get outside of the house, even when they aren’t in school. Sometimes thinking of things to do can be tricky, so this list of 13 things to do outside during the summer is to help with those awkward moments when you don’t know what to do moments hit.
1.) Swimming
Whether in a friend’s pool, a public pool or a lake, swimming is a great way to get outside in the sun. Places such as West Lake Beach and The Landing are open to the public and are good places to go when wanting to swim. Tanning by the pool is fun, but also playing mermaids can be an amazing way to pass the time. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
2.) Play Pickleball
Grab a couple of friends or a group and find some pickleball courts, such as at Forest Grove Elementary. There is so much fun to be had playing pickleball. Make it a little tournament or in two v. two’s or in one v. one’s. It is a great way to work out, too.
3.) Hiking
This activity can be done in pairs, groups or individually. Great places to hike include Black Hawk State Historic Site and Maquoketa Caves State Park, along with multiple other places. Hiking can really connect people back to nature and is a nice little workout as well, but also a ton of fun at the same time.
4.) Farmers Market
If students are looking for something to do on the weekends, going to Freight House Farmers Market is a great way to pass the time. There are a ton of fun vendors to stop by and yummy food to try. If students are entrepreneurs, they could also get a stand and be a vendor of their own over the summer.
5.) Picnic
Having a picnic can be a fun way to sit, chat and catch up with friends or significant others. Find a peaceful park and bring along a blanket and some snacks and just chill with each other. The company can be very nice for people who don’t get to hang out with friends too often.
6.) Bike Ride or Walks
Simply taking a bike ride or walking through the neighborhood can be a fun and simple way to spend some time outside. But if students want a longer path to go along, the Great River Trail and Duck Creek Parkway Trail can be good places to go to.
7.) Fair & Music
The Mississippi Valley Fair is a main attraction for the Quad Cities, but is a great place to go to pass the time at the rides during the day. When night falls, the music that whole week is amazing, this year artists include Jessie Murph with Stella Lefty, Keith Urban, and Tucker Wetmore with Braxton Keith, along with a couple of other artists.
8.) Baseball Games
The River Bandits games can be a super fun atmosphere for the whole family. The games are super fun to watch, but the rides and the food are enjoyable as well. Everyone can have fun, just watch out for fly balls.
9.) Camping
Whether in a camper or with a tent, spending the night camping and hanging out around a campfire can be super fun for the whole family. There are multiple places to go camping in the Quad Cities, some of which include Scott County Park, West Lake Park, and Camelot Campground.
10.) Drive-in Movie
A drive-in movie is a great family or friend activity, and can be super fun for birthday parties. Blue Grass Drive-In and Voy 61 Drive-In are both within good driving distance of the Quad Cities and are always playing good movies. Blue Grass has four screens, which means different movies all the time, while Voy 61 has one and provides a more nostalgic vibe to the drive-in.
11.) Stargazing or Watching Sunset/Sunrise
Finding just an open parking lot or going to places such as Lost Grove Lake can be good places to just lie in the car and watch the sunrise or sunset or stargaze. This can be a very peaceful activity to spend time with friends or individually.
12.) Golfing
This activity can be a little frustrating at times, but in the long run, it can be super fun. Golfing can be done in pairs, small groups or individually. Places such as Duck Creek Golf Course, Palmer Hills Golf Course, and the Iron Tee are all great public places to golf.
13.) Grow a Garden
This activity can take a little more time and patience, but once the results start to show, it is super rewarding and beautiful. Whether it’s flowers or fruits and vegetables, a garden can be a great way to spend time outside and be very peaceful and therapeutic.
