Welcome, Summer!

It’s the first official day of summer, which means longer days, warmer temperatures, and endless ways to get outside and explore. Whether you’re heading into the woods, staying close to home, or just stepping into your backyard, here are some simple ways to welcome summer:

1. Pack a picnic and eat somewhere you’ve never been before.
2. Go on a “no destination” nature walk and see what you notice.
3. Start a summer scavenger hunt for kids (or adults!).
4. Watch a sunrise or sunset.
5. Spend an afternoon by a creek, river, or lake.
6. Paint rocks and leave them along a trail or garden.
7. Visit a local farmer’s market and build a meal from what you find.
8. Try geocaching for a modern-day treasure hunt.
9. Go on a bug hunt and see how many different insects you can find.
10. Make a simple bird feeder and place it outside your window.
11. Pick wildflowers (where allowed) or create a small bouquet from your yard.
12. Spend a night stargazing and see how many constellations you can spot.
13. Go barefoot in the grass for a few quiet minutes.
14. Take a hammock nap under the trees.
15. Fly a kite in an open field or at the beach.
16. Try skipping stones and see who can get the most skips.
17. Explore a new hiking trail—even a short one counts.
18. Have a backyard campout with s’mores and stories.
19. Take photos of summer details: leaves, clouds, flowers, or water reflections.
20. Unplug for an afternoon and just let the day unfold outside.

However you step into the season, make it simple, a little wild, and full of fresh air!