
Do you remember as a kid going to your parents during the summer and saying, โIโm bored, and I donโt know what to do.โ My parents would usually respond with what I considered to be a variety of boring ideas because other things would have required a lot of parental involvement and effort. So now that we are adultsโฆ. Here are some fun ideas that get us out of the houseโฆno booze required, or even desired!
- Beach Volleyball/Football: Think โTop Gunโ or โMaverickโ and pretend youโre an athlete (you probably are, compared to me!) and get out there with a few buddies. Does not have to be a fancy, organized game, and this can be as low key as you like it, or you can compete for who will buy ice cream for the losers afterward!
- Hiking: Explore local trails and enjoy nature. Pro tip (and Lord knows Iโm no pro, but I have learned this from some unfortunate past experiences): check your local stated parks rules and regulations, sometimes you need a pass or some kind of parking permit at a trailhead. At least you wonโt look like a novice the way I have!
- Picnics: Relax in a park with a portable charcuterie tray and some sparkling juices or waters.
- Biking: Take a scenic bike ride through your city or countryside- and for safetyโs sake, use a pre blazed trail so you donโt get yourself in any kind of danger with drivers. As my mother would advise, donโt forget to wear a helmet!
- Kayaking/Canoeing: Many city parks with a waterfront have a stand where you can rent a canoe or a kayakโฆgrab a dry bag and get out there! You donโt have to be an expert, just donโt venture off too far from the shoreline unless youโre comfortable.
- Outdoor Yoga/Tai Chi: Practice yoga in a park or on the beach- search your local next door for pre existing groups to join!
- Fish-or-Float: Fan of the water? Get out there on some kind of flotation device and try some catch and release- or like me, if youโre not a fan of fishing, get yourself on a fun animal or novelty float just for relaxation!
- Gardening/Shopping: Start a garden or join a community garden. Or, like me, maybe that doesnโt sound fun at all, in which case go shopping at a local nursery and be amazed at the things for sale you suddenly โneedโ to buy even though you donโt garden! ๐ Those gnomes are adorable, am I right?
- Local Tourist: My favorite thing to do with this is to find a local area of interest and focus on it. For example, Seattle has had pigs placed around the city in the past. A newer one is trolls. Grab a coffee and go find some local treasures!
- Camping: Spend a weekend camping in the great outdoors. If youโre me, preferably at a hotel with air conditioning and room service. ๐
- Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a projector and screen in your backyard and go crazy. If you have a pool, do a float-in movie!
- Rock Climbing: Try rock climbing or bouldering. (If you live in an area without this option closely, try an indoor facility!)
- Star Gazing: Spend an evening looking at the stars. Local planetariums are fun too!
- Farmerโs Markets: Visit local farmer’s markets and buy fresh produce, jams, honey, etc. Itโs kind of fun to just browse the booths and see what the local artisans have created! Youโll be surprised to see what people can do with their talents!
- Photography Walks: Take a cameraโ who am I kidding, take your iPhone- and capture the beauty of nature.
- Outdoor Concerts: Attend local outdoor concerts or music festivalsโฆ this may be hard to do last minute, so make sure to check out the schedules early!
- Pickleball:I havenโt tried it, but itโs on my list. I hear itโs all the rage and I donโt like being left behind with the trending things. LOL.
- Nature Sketching: This may sound cheesy, but getting sober is all about having the bandwidth to try new things! Why not grab a sketchbook and colored pencils from a local pharmacy and get yourself to a park? Just enjoy the process and donโt get all caught up in the result- no one expects you to be Van Gogh, and you donโt have to post what you drew on social media, for Peteโs sake. This is just for fun!
- Frisbee Golf: A fun and cheap way to spend a park afternoon- the frisbee cost and a little organizing is all it takes!
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Try paddleboarding on a nearby lake or ocean. This is a blast, but be aware if youโre a beginner, you want to opt for a wider SUP.
- Local Park or Beach Scavenger Hunt: Organize a fun scavenger hunt for friends or family and take pictures as you procure items in the area. This is a blast!
- Horseback Riding: Many of us have not done this kind of thing since we were kids- summer is the perfect time to get out and do some of the things we used to do in our younger yearsโฆ just be sure to stretch afterward to avoid getting saddle sore!
- Water Parks: Spend a day at a water park- just bring a good attitude and lot of sunscreen!
- Visit Botanical Gardens: Find the closest botanical garden if you donโt have one in your city. Connect with others and get out there to check out whatโs growing in the region, and maybe grab an iced tea or an idea coffee afterwards!
Depending on your interest and level of mobility, just choose a couple of these things and build some memorable summer days! This list provides a mix of adventure, relaxation, and opportunities to connect with nature and friends, all without the need for alcohol. And since the McRib is usually back in the summertime…grab one after wards to congratulate yourself on trying new things!

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND: Binge-Worthy Recovery Podcast List by The Sober Curator

PLAY IT AGAIN (MUSIC): Sober Summer by Jon Jeremy

SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.






