It happened all at once. And suddenly, people were there. Their faces were painted in smiles. The type of smile that has purpose and longevity. This was a beautiful thing. Children were laughing and drawing pastel poppies on the pavement. The sky seemed bluer. And the sun… the sun was no longer a distant onlooker. The sun was there, present, bright, and hot. The flowers were no longer buds but blooms. And perhaps there is no better way to describe the feeling in the air. It was no longer a bud but a blossom. And because of this the world simultaneously threw open its arms and welcomed summer in tumultuous joy. Maybe you plan to celebrate. Do you find yourself making plans to buy sunscreen in bulk? Or maybe you have made plans to visit the beach. Summer fun can be costly, but it does not have to be. Here are ideas for sunny days that are easy on your wallet.

Go to the park. This is a classic for a reason. You can choose to load up your bikes and take a trail. Or you could try your hand at sailing. A game my family likes to play is boat racing. We each take a few minutes to gather our supplies which are sticks, leaves, and other items from the ground. Then we build rafts/boats together. After that, we walk down to the water and set sail. Whoever built the boat that stays afloat the longest is the winner. This is honestly one of my favorite things to do in the summer. No matter what you plan to there, take a picnic, because snacks make everything better.

Idea number two is to travel. My budget can get me as far as the back porch which is certainly far enough. Make a comfy place to sit and sip on a nice drink. Soak up some rays and listen to your summer playlist or read a book. I know this is may not sound exciting, but it is actually really nice just to take time to breathe some days. This also calls for zero planning which means less stress.

Another great activity is building a campfire. Everyone enjoys the smoky scent of a summer bonfire. You can roast marshmallows and hotdogs for a snack. It is also the perfect time to stretch your creative muscles. Try to tell the scariest ghost story you can think of, or the silliest depending on your audience. This is also a great time to find out which of your friends plays the guitar. You can belt out Country Roads until the neighbors complain. Just be aware of burn bans in your area. But no matter what you choose to do, have fun. Summer is too good to waste. So, get out there and enjoy it.

– Bailey Pace, HashtagWV May 2017.