With summer break quickly approaching, us students will have a lot of free time on our hands. Why not spend some of it trying a new, fun hobby? This article will list a wide variety of different activities you can explore over the summer with resources, tutorials, and guides to help you learn more about them. I guarantee that you will find at least one hobby you’ll want to give a whirl!
Creativity
If you have a big imagination and enjoy telling stories through art, one of these hobbies may be for you. Drawing is probably what pops up into most peoples’ minds when they think of “creative.” Drawing can be hard to learn, and it will be a while until you see clear improvement, but it’s incredibly enjoyable and worth it in my opinion. There are plenty of drawing tutorials and advice on the internet, so I suggest checking out some professional artists on YouTube, like Marc Brunet. If you’re more interested in hands-on projects, you can also learn how to make things out of clay like cups, jewelry, decor, and much more! Or, if you’re like me and save up every piece of scrap paper and packaging, you can always compile them together in a scrapbook or junk journal, which is a great way to turn trash into art!
Writing, Journaling, and Language
Maybe you’re imaginative but prefer using words to express yourself. If that’s the case, try writing a short story or book. Reedsy has many weekly writing prompts that you can use for ideas or inspiration. If you want to practice self-reflection and mindfulness, journaling is a great option. Poetry is also good if you want to express emotions more creatively through figurative language and rhyme. Learning a different language is a difficult but rewarding skill. Duolingo is a great resource that provides lessons and courses for many languages. If you want a larger challenge, try writing a book in the language you learn!
Technology and Film
Have you ever thought about creating your own video game or movie? Well, you can! Coding is a great skill to learn and is actually not as hard as you would think it is. There are many resources online for coding, but I personally use Mimo, an app very similar to Duolingo, but for coding. If you are looking to make a website and need a place where you can host your website for free, I highly recommend checking out Neocities. Here you can also look at other websites for inspiration. You can also attempt to make a short film with just a phone or camera and maybe a couple of friends as actors!
Music
If you aspire to play your favorite songs, maybe you could pick an instrument to learn this summer. If you still have your recorder from third grade, pull that out! The Harrison Band is always looking for new members. If you don’t want to pay for an instrument, there’s no rental cost for your voice. There are many voice coaches who post videos online that will teach you how to sing in many different styles. In addition, there are many dance tutorials on the internet if you want to try busting some moves.
Physical Activity and the Outdoors
Do you wish to spend more time out in nature or become more active? These activities are great if you’re looking to take advantage of the nice weather or take better care of your physical health. If there’s a new forest or hiking trail in your area, go check it out! If you prefer staying close to home, try starting a garden in your backyard. There’s also a ton of workout routines online if you want to start lifting the heavy weights that are sitting in your garage.
While many of us might only plan on sitting in our beds and scrolling through our phones over the summer, it’s worth using the time we have available to get out of our comfort zone and try new things!
