Summer’s here and the time is right for . . . a bunch of things, actually! If you aren’t up for dancing in the street, check out our list of summer activities for seniors below. Whether you were counting down the days till summer or you’re already lamenting the heat, these 14 ideas are sure to bring a smile to your face.
14 Summer Activities for Seniors
- Go swimming. When you’re sweltering in the sun or simply craving some relaxation, take a dip in a pool. You could lounge on a raft, swim for exercise, play a game of volleyball with a beach ball, or even do water aerobics. Splash around and enjoy the refreshing water!
- Play yard games. Gather a few friends and some cold drinks and play your favorite yard games. Some of our favorites are a beanbag toss, horseshoes, croquet, and bocce. You can purchase these games at stores like Target, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart.
- Picnic at a local park. Don’t worry – you don’t have to sit on a picnic blanket if you don’t want to! Most parks offer picnic tables that you can borrow, and some even have public barbecue grills (just be sure to prepare them properly to ensure your food is safe).
- Go fish. If you’re craving some quiet time in nature, go fishing at a nearby lake. For the best luck, go out in the early morning or late evening.
- Plant an herb garden. Herbs are affordable and can be planted in pots if you don’t have a garden. Once your herbs are thriving, you can cut off bunches to use in recipes. For example, cut off some basil for bruschetta, add rosemary to roasted potatoes, or create a mojito with fresh mint.
- Join a book club. Lazy summer days are perfect for reading. If you don’t already know of a book club, consider starting one yourself.
- Attend a local festival. Chances are, your city offers some fun events in the summertime. Ask around or visit your city’s website to learn about local festivals and fairs. They offer a great opportunity to eat delicious food, listen to local musicians, and meet new people.
- Catch a sporting event. Major league games are wonderful, but don’t discount the minor leagues and local schools’ sporting events. Whether you enjoy baseball, tennis, swimming, or soccer, attend a game and cheer on the athletes.
- Buy fresh produce at a farmer’s market. Food from the farmer’s market is typically fresher and more flavorful than produce found at the supermarket, and buying it supports local farmers! If you aren’t sure what to make for dinner, head to the farmer’s market to see what looks good that day.
- Pick fruit at a local orchard. Speaking of fresh food, why not pick your own produce at a local orchard? This is a fun outing to do with friends, and you’ll head home with a bucket full of tasty fruit. Depending on the season and the farms near you, you might be able to pick peaches, nectarines, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and more.
- Go to the movies. When the heat’s too much to bear, cool off in an AC-blasting movie theater.
- Do some crafts. Check out our blog post about summer crafts for seniors!
- Go out for a refreshing treat. It feels a little funny to have an ice cream cone in January, doesn’t it? Summer, however, is the perfect time to enjoy your favorite icy treats: ice cream, snow cones, fro-yo, frozen bananas, popsicles, etc.
- Get outside. When winter arrives, you’ll be frustrated by the fact that you must stay indoors, so take advantage of the novelty of doing things outside now. Dine al fresco. Invite a friend to play a game of cards on your patio. Watch the sunset. Go on a nature walk.
- Make some light, refreshing summer recipes. The key to great food is quality ingredients, and so many tasty foods are at their prime in summer: corn, tomatoes, berries, watermelon, cucumbers, squash, and much more. If you’re looking for some new recipes to try this summer, check out Bon Appétit’s 67 Summer Recipes Everyone Should Know How to Cook.
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It’s easy to fall into a rut each summer, doing the same things you’ve always done. Inject a little novelty into the season this year by trying some of these summer activities for seniors. And as you might have noticed, they’re not restricted to older folks, so feel free to invite your younger family members to join you.
At Springhouse Village, we know how important it is to enjoy your retirement in a lively and welcoming environment. We make it easy for our residents to be active participants in our community. Whether that means encouraging residents to shop at local farmers markets or assisting them in starting a garden club, we strive to help our residents thrive. To learn more about the amenities and services we offer, contact Springhouse Village today.