As July begins, the first month of summer is over—the days have become longer and hotter and entertainment opportunities seem to be dwindling. Some students may be feeling the boredom of long, hot summer days starting to creep in. From exercising and spending time in nature to staying in bed; below is a list of ways to stay entertained this summer. 

Go for a drive

Going for a drive requires little effort and it’s a surefire way to get rid of boredom. Driving around offers a chance to see new things and places and get out of the house without actually going outside.

Go to a state park

State parks offer a variety of fun things to do in the summer. From beaches and rivers to hiking trails and playgrounds, state parks provide a wide range of activities that can cater to any mood. Plus, they provide an opportunity to get some exercise and enjoy nature.

• Recommendations: Seven Lakes State Park, Island Lakes State Recreation Area, Highland Recreation Area, Kensington Metropark 

Go to the beach

Taking a trip to the beach is a classic summer activity that is an escape from hot or boring summer days. Packing up floats, sunscreen and some snacks and heading down to the beach ensures a fun summer day. Going to the beach at dusk and watching the sunset from the water is also a great way to spend an evening. 

• Recommendations: Silver Lake Beach, Clover Beach, Seven Lakes State Park beach, Holly Recreation beach

Apply for scholarships or colleges

Although it is summer and some students would rather not work on anything academic, seniors could put their boredom to use and be productive. Applying for scholarships and colleges is something that needs to get done eventually and it’s best to get it done sooner rather than later. 

Read a book

Reading a good book helps escape everyday life and transports the reader to a new world beyond their own. Reading can be done almost anywhere, whether it’s indoors or outdoors—there’s no need to even get out of bed, however it still helps to cure boredom. Keeping reading skills sharp for the school year is a plus.

• Recommendations: The Beautiful Chaos of Growing Up by Ari Satok, The Hazelwood by Melissa Albert, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NG

Watch movies (specifically scary ones)

Rainy days and summer nights are perfect for watching movies. Any kind of movie marathon can be entertaining, but anyone seeking a thrill should try having a scary movie marathon. Sitting in a dark room with a group a friends is an exciting way to spend a night (or day) and is sure to kill boredom. 

• Recommendations: Hereditary, Us, The Nun, Get Out, Hush, Split, As Above So Below, Insidious

Clean out your car

It may not sound like a lot of fun, but getting rid of garbage and clutter in the car can be satisfying. It takes up a good amount of time and is a productive way to spend it. After cleaning and vacuuming, washing the outside with a hose could be a good way to cool down on a hot day. 

Day trip / Up North

Day trips are an exciting way to get away from home and see new places without the amount of planning and money it takes for a full road trip. Planning a trip a few hours away to a city like Detroit or Grand Rapids or somewhere up north can be a way to ensure a fun and fulfilling summer day. 

• Recommendations: John Ball Zoo, Frankfort, Cedar Point, Port Huron

Find new music

Finding new music takes little effort and no money. It can be exciting to find a good new song to listen to and make new playlists for different types of music. Spotify offers a variety of playlists and recommendations based on the music you listen to. Finding new music this way can go on for an unlimited amount of time and it can be rewarding to listen to all the new music at the end.

• Recommendations: Soak Up The Sun playlist, Locked In playlist, Feel Good Summer playlist, Beach Vibes playlist 

Find a job

There are many benefits that come with having a summer job. It provides something to do every day all day, ensuring an escape from boredom. It is also an opportunity to meet new people and is the best way to make money over the summer. Applying and interviewing for jobs is also time-consuming and good for getting rid of boredom. On top of all of this, the extra money can be used to pay for other fun activities throughout the summer.