As the weather is steadily getting better, we live in hope that sunnier days are just around the corner. After the past couple of summers had the dampener that was COVID hang over them, the excitement and desperation for summer 2022 is real. To get you in the summer mood here are some bucket list ideas for you and your friends.

1. Go swimming in open water

What beats cooling down in the summer heat other than going for a nice outdoor swim? It does not even have to be at the beach any body of water (that is safe and healthy to swim in, of course), will do the trick. Grab some pool inflatables, snacks, and drinks, and then you’re set until the sun goes down!

2. Camping with your friends

Another classic is going out camping overnight. Whether it is at a proper campsite, or a friend’s back garden, watching the sunset on a warm summer’s night toasting marshmallows and enjoying the outdoors is a great way to spend the evening. If you don’t already have camping equipment, you can find relatively cheap but durable tents on Amazon, and during the summer season, many supermarkets start to stock camping supplies such as sleeping bags, cooking essentials, camping chairs etc.

3. Beach Barbeque

This idea pairs well with a day out swimming or just a trip to the beach. Not only is a barbeque the perfect summer meal and a great way to end a day out, but it’s also cheap and easy to make too. Like camping equipment, you can find disposable barbeques and utensils at your local supermarkets around the summer season. Barbeques are also versatile; you can cook just about anything on one and be left with that perfect, smoky aftertaste. Just make sure wherever you decide to set up your barbeque allows them and open flames, and bring some bags for rubbish to help keep the outdoors clean.

4. Week away in an Air BnB

Photo by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash

For the past couple of years, going on holiday has not been possible, or has been a stressful experience for some due to travel restrictions following the pandemic. So, many people took to ‘staycations’, and while this year looks like holidays abroad may be back on the table, if you’re looking for a more affordable trip away, then booking an Air BnB is a great option. Air BnB has a wide variety of places to choose from, so you can find the perfect place to stay with your friends in a home away from home.

5. Go to a Drive-in Movie

Fancy a movie night with a twist? Then a drive-in cinema is the perfect way to change up your movie experience. We have our very own in Scotland, at Edinburgh Airport run by Unique Events. This cinema is easily accessible, affordable and (with the clue in the name) unique! Enjoy the movie with your friends or family from the comfort of your car, alongside hot meals, snacks, and beverages, it’s a great experience to add to your bucket list. To find out more, visit their website here.

6. Document with a film camera

Polaroid cameras have been making a major comeback recently, with old-style film cameras following suit. If you are looking to change up your social media feed, or like to document moments to look back on, then bringing an old camera with you on your summer adventures is a nice way to do so. If you are unsure about where to look for these cameras, then Depop usually has a particularly good and affordable selection, and if you Google the make of your camera, you can often find instructions online and even YouTube videos showing you how to work it.

7. Have a themed cocktail night

TikTok seems to be the place where most trends are taking off nowadays, and themed cocktail parties are no exception. The idea behind this is you get a group of friends together, and each person makes cocktails of their choice for the group, so you can all try different flavours (and have some good pictures for your Instagram if they turn out nice). These cocktails can either be a favourite of yours, or they can be themed, such as each person has a colour to stick to or an idea along those lines. Popular ones on TikTok at the moment include ‘Euphoria’ themed drinks, where each person makes a drink based on a character from the show.

8. Go to a festival

Last and definitely not least is going to a festival. Great music, (hopefully) great weather and great company – what more could you ask for? For many, festivals are the heart of their summer, and if you have never been then it is most certainly one for the bucket list. With festivals such as TRNSMT, Reading and Leeds Fest, the Neighbourhood Weekender, Rewind, Edinburgh Summer Session and so many more, there is something for everyone.

How to Spice up Your Summer