10 Things to Do Before Summer Ends

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I don’t know about you, but the summer days are flying past. I’m pretty sure they stir a breeze and make a whirring sound as they whiz past my head.

Before summer bliss turns to cozy days of autumn, I thought I’d share a list of ten things to do before summer winds to an end.

  1. Blow Bubbles. Doesn’t matter if you have kids or not, go blow a few bubbles and see if a few worries and cares don’t float away with the soapy orbs.

  2. Go on a Picnic. It doesn’t matter if you make something elaborate, run by the deli, or grab take-out, pack a blanket and your loved ones and head for a park or picnic area you haven’t visited this summer.

  3. Host a bonfire. Make sure you follow local ordinances and keep a hose handy. And don’t forget to have plenty of S’mores supplies on hand.

  4. Eat a popsicle. It’s cold and sweet and perfectly delightful. Indulge and enjoy. Have a contest to see who can make theirs last the longest.

  5. Pick fresh fruit. Scan the classified ads or ask around for the best “U-pick” fruit location and then go pick something. You’ll be glad you did when you bite into that fresh off-the-tree fruit!

  6. Take a hike or a bike ride. Go somewhere off the beaten path and really look around you. Take in the scenery, the smells, the sounds. It won’t be long until fall paints an entirely different canvas over nature.

  7. Take photos. Although the moments won’t last, the photos and memories will. Take photos of your family and friends enjoying the last days of summer in all their joy and silliness.

  8. Eat watermelon. Take it outside and let the kids munch to their heart’s content, with juice running down their chins and onto their toes. I dare you to join them! There is summer sweetness packed in every juicy sweet bite.

  9. Make homemade ice cream. There is nothing like making your own ice cream and enjoying each cool, creamy bite of frozen confection. Our favorite is banana ice cream.

  10. Enjoy a sunset. There is nothing quite as spectacular as watching the summer sun sink into the western horizon. The pinks, oranges and golds that fill the sky can be breathtaking. Go sit outside and watch nature’s beauty descend. If you are of a mind to keep up the gazing, throw down a blanket and watch the stars.

I’m going to see how many of these I can cross off the list before September arrives!

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After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky western heroes.
When this USA Today bestselling author isn’t writing or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, Shanna hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

70 thoughts on “10 Things to Do Before Summer Ends”

  2. We’re planning on making homemade ice cream for Labor Day Weekend…maybe two. My favorite is vanilla, but my sister likes ice cream with stuff in it like Rocky Road.

  3. I spent a week with my son and his family in Knoxville, TN. I don’t get to see them nearly often enough.

  4. I do early morning walks. To my surprise I saw 2 young foxes running across the road. Never had I seen 2 they must of been siblings.

  5. Oh Shanna, these all are wonderful reminders that we are still young at heart and we NEED these sweet summer treats to keep us young. I have been wanting to do a picnic, but it’s been so hot. I think I’ll go ahead and plan one. Even if it’s just in our back yard. Bubbles, hum??? I bet Miss Casino would get a kick out of chasing them. Thanks for reminding us we all need to live a little and just go outside and have fun. It’s time for us to be a kid again.

    • You make me smile, Tonya. We do need to stay young at heart, don’t we. I bet Miss Casino would love the bubbles! I usually grab the big wands of them they have at the dollar store! Hope you have a great picnic! Hugs and smiles, my friend!

  8. The Big Horn Mountains is where I go to set my heart free of burdens. Camping along the Tongue River is serene. It fills me with joy. I love the wildlife, flowers, waterfalls, campfires, hanging out with my husband, and watching God paint amazing sunrises and sunsets. I never thought I would become a four wheeler babe in my 70’s. But I am! Loved your 10 suggestions Shanna. Have done most of them already. Life is good. No, it is great!

    • Kathy, your comments warmed my heart and made me smile. I don’t think age ever defines what we can do. It’s just following our hearts! So awesome you have that place to set your heart fee and just bask in the beauty of God’s creations. Big hugs to you!

  12. I’m working on getting my office/craft room set up! Hopefully, I’ll have it done by the end of summer!

  14. Welcome today. I like your list. One thing we are going to do soon is spend a whole day at Brookfield Zoo. Cant wait quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

  17. Got tickets to see my favorite band as a birthday present. Going to go see them this Saturday night. I’ve been looking forward to this for awhile!

  18. My fun this summer has been watching my flowers and garden grow and produce. I have had some very good home grown tomatoes and cucumbers this summer.

    • I love tomatoes fresh off the vine. We’ve only had one ripen so far. We’ve been enjoying cucumbers too, though. Here’s to a bountiful harvest and beautiful days spent in the garden!

  20. We have been enjoying eating watermelon and cantaloupe while they are still in season. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe. Thank you for these awesome and great reminders of things we should do while still enjoying summer.

  21. Love, love this list, Shanna!! All are doable – we just need to do them!

    Like others, I hadn’t had a popsicle in years until I bought a bag of those skinny ones that I used to have when I was a kid. I keep the bag in the freezer at our lake cabin, and it’s been so hot, I’ve started enjoying one on every ride home. So refreshing!!

    If I could add one more item to your list – go to a free summer concert. We’re fortunate that our city has several venues every week, and the bands are really good! Sit in the shade in your favorite chair, bring a beverage, people-watch and enjoy!!

    • I know, right? Just set aside the time for a little summer joy each day!

      Captain Cavedweller enjoys popsicles of an evening when he’s trying to cool down from being out in the heat all day.

      I love the idea of a free summer concert. We don’t have many of those in our area, but they are so fun!

  23. I have done 5 of the ten things. Although instead of eating a popsicle I have been eating Ice Cream Sandwiches, Oh I do love those! We are hoping to get to go on a day trip to the beach but that will depend upon my husbands health,

  26. Shanna, every one of these suggestions brought up happy memories! I’m not a big watermelon lover, but my mom and sisters loved it. But the homemade ice cream? YUM! Of course, us kids always had the job of sitting on the top of the ice cream maker while the men turned the crank–that was part of the fun at our 4th of July family get-togethers “back in the day”!!! As for the bubbles–the kids are long gone, but I HAVE DOGS! And they love it! LOLLOL I really enjoyed this post!

    • I’m so glad the post stirred up happy memories for you, Cheryl! I remember those old crank ice cream makers. My parents had one when I was little and I thought it was magic! So fun your dogs love the bubbles. That is awesome! Enjoy the rest of your summer! <3

  28. My favorite thing that my hubby & I enjoyed early this summer was a combination (sort of) of three things off your list. 🙂 We went to Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve & rented a golf cart to take a “hike” on the trail they’ve paved through the woods. (I’m not physically able to hike, so this was perfect!) We took a picnic lunch & took LOTS of photos. It is a beautiful place!! If you’re ever in this neck of the woods, I’d definitely recommend it. Next time, we’ll take bubbles. 😉

  29. I have been hoping to make a day/picnic outing to a state park in my region, but I have kept postponing due to heat. Maybe in early September?!

  30. I have been meaning to make homemade ice cream this summer so that is one thing I definitely want to do before the end of summer. Nothing quite like homemade ice cream.

  31. My family, 3 grown children with spouses and children, have already went to the coast and spent 3 days. We sat in the water with the little ones. We watch fireworks and pop some of our own. The oldest cook/BBQ’d so the rest of us could relax. I would like to make one more trip without the family before the holidays hit.

  32. Every year before the end of summer, we make a pilgrimage to a huge used bookstore about an hour away and stock up for cozy fall and winter nights! If it’s open, we throw in a side trip to the Little Debbie outlet next door to it and stock up on snacks too! I put them in my freezer and they will keep for at least a year, if I can keep everyone from eating them in the first few days!

  34. All wonderful suggestion. I have already done a few and will work on the rest. I was blocked from P&P for some odd malware thing, but am glad I went back to check posts I missed once I could get back on. I will be handing a copy of this to our children to do with their families.

  35. What wonderful suggestions! I am looking forward to the end of this summer heat, South Texas has been hot and humid and I can’t wait for the Fall/Winter seasons. Also I was looking forward to meeting my newest niece on September but she was born almost a month early, Thank God she is doing better now.

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