by MEGAN ISOLA
Summer is the perfect time to take on fun DIY projects to keep you busy and bring out your creativity. As the weather warms up and the days feel longer, you have more time to get out in the sun and indulge in some projects. Whether you’re looking for activities to do on your own or plan on bringing some friends and family into your project, here are some ideas on DIY projects you can do this summer.
Renovate an area of your home
If you have a home or rental property, consider some affordable renovation ideas and projects to take on during the summer. By renovating your home, you increase your property’s value. Additionally, renovating your property doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Instead, you can save money and take on a fun summer project by doing the renovations yourself.
Some affordable renovations you can do yourself include removing your popcorn ceilings, planting a new garden, adding a backsplash to your kitchen, adding crown molding, and more. Anything that sounds like a fun summer project to take on.
Create a memory board
Scrapbooking is a loved hobby by many, but if creating a book of memories doesn’t sound like your style, consider creating a memory board instead. Make copies of your favorite photos and appealingly arrange them on a piece of cardstock. Add lettering such as “Special moments of 2022” or whatever fits your array of images. Add decorative tape or stickers to fill the bare spaces for an even lovelier look.
After creating your board, hang it in your living room for everyone to see. The extra decor will make your home feel more finished by filling in wall space, and you’ll have a piece of artwork full of your favorite memories. Creating a memory board is the perfect summer project to pass the time.
Plant a garden
Planting a garden is an excellent hobby in warm weather. Ideally, you want to plant fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the Spring, but summertime is the perfect time to begin your garden planning. If you want to grow your produce at home, install some raised plant beds or outline an area of your backyard you want to turn into crops. Consider what kinds of things you want to grow or if you plan on adding some flowers and shrubs.
Practice your landscaping skills
As the weather warms up, schools close, and people take time off work, we spend more time outside. If you aren’t adequately using your outdoor spaces, consider upgrading them. We mentioned earlier to consider adding a garden to increase your property value, but there are additional upgrades you can make to create your very own outdoor oasis.
If you enjoy sitting out in the sun, add outdoor dining furniture so you and your family can enjoy meals outside. If you’re a big fan of barbecuing, add an outdoor kitchen and grill to become a grillmaster. If you enjoy sunbathing, consider adding an outdoor pool or beach chairs to suntan. By upgrading your outdoor space, you can enjoy the warm weather from the comfort of your home.
Sell Lemonade
If you have children at home, a lemonade stand is a perfect project to keep them busy. Teach your children how to make lemonade, and allow them to perfect their recipe. Then, get some materials so they can set up shop. A lemonade stand teaches children leadership skills, responsibility, and hard work. Plus, they’ll have lots of fun doing it!
Make ice-cream
Adults and children alike enjoy their ice cream. Instead of heading to a busy ice cream shop, experiment at home by making your own ice cream. Whether you have a machine specific for making ice cream or decide to try one of the many manual ice cream-making techniques, you’ll have lots of fun experimenting and creating your own flavors.
Head to your local grocery store to pick up cream, sugar, milk, plus whatever flavorings you want, and look up some at-home recipes. Not only is this a fun science experiment for your household to enjoy, but you got the bonus of a tasty treat afterward.
Build a shed
If you have a lot of clutter around your home, building a shed can help you re-organize. Buying a new shed can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but making it yourself significantly reduces the cost. Look up shed plans online to find a design you like that you can accomplish yourself. Then, head to your hardware store to pick up the tools and materials you’ll need and get to building. A shed provides extra storage space, a place to hide your mess, and a fun summer project.
Hang a tree swing
If you’ve never had a tree swing, you’re missing out on lots of fun. If you have a large tree in your backyard, consider creating a tree swing to enjoy the shade and have some fun swinging away. To build a tree swing, order a kit online, or get a rope, tire, or plank of wood to create it yourself.
Paint rocks
If you like being creative, painting rocks is a cheap and fun way to add decorative details around your backyard. Go around your neighborhood to find some rocks, and try to find ones with at least one flat side so they’re easy to paint. Paint images or motivational messages and place them outside of your home. If you want to bring positivity to your neighborhood, place them around it or give them to neighbors.
Host a garage sale
If the junk in your home is piling up, host a garage sale to clear your clutter. During the summer, many people spend their Saturdays’ garage sale hunting to find great deals in their neighborhood. Separate the items you want to sell and post flyers around town to notify your neighbors. Ensure you include the date of your sale so people know when to show up. A garage sale is a great way to clear out clutter and earn some cash while doing it.
A summer of DIY projects
Overall, summer is a great time to take on fun projects and learn new skills. Whether you plan on doing your projects in the sun or in the comfort of your home with the AC running full blast, there are numerous ways to keep yourself busy this summer. We’ve outlined ten awesome projects to work on, so take advantage of these ideas and get started.
Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.
