We often try to fill the colder months with “cozy” hobbies such as knitting, reading, baking, and other activities that don’t require us to leave the house. And while I love these hobbies and pursue them year-round, doing them in the summer can feel like wasting the sunshine. If you live in the northern hemisphere right now, you might want to leave the house every once in a while and enjoy these next couple of months (if it’s not absolutely boiling or raining all day, that is). For those days when you want to go outside but don’t really know what to do, these are just the low-cost hobbies for you.
1. Scavenger Hunting/Collecting
If you live near the ocean or a large body of water, treasure hunting can easily fit into your life as a fun hobby. Rocks, shells, bones, feathers, and any cool (and safe!) objects you find can start a wonderful collection. A great way to go about this is to make a list of what you want to find and spend some time playing detective. Maybe you want to find and identify different kinds of rocks, a large seashell, or a small fish bone in good condition. If you love being around water and finding unique items, this is a great summer hobby to pass the time.
2. Stargazing
If you ever find yourself in a rural area with less light pollution, stargazing will be the perfect pastime. Even if you don’t own binoculars, the night sky hosts plenty of bright planets and stars visible to the naked eye if you know what to look for. Downloading a free stargazing app also helps identify stars, planets, and constellations by simply pointing your phone at a patch of sky. So, no excuses not to look up!
3. Birdwatching
Birdwatching has become an increasingly popular hobby over the past few years, and for good reason. It’s the perfect hobby for bird lovers, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys cataloging new information. Free bird-identifying apps let you ID any bird and read up on them! This habit of cataloging information can turn into a valuable life skill, where you might learn to catalog different kinds of trees, plants, mushrooms, etc., and recall the information to know exactly what you’re looking at.
4. Hiking
Hiking is by far one of my favorite hobbies, no matter the season. For example, walking in the mountains or on high hills, noticing nature’s details, taking in the view, and being away from the bustle and sounds of a city is a lovely reset for the mind. With a little preparation, proper clothing, and sunscreen, hiking remains a staple hobby.
5. Nature Writing/Nature Photography
For the creative person who needs an excuse to leave their desk, nature writing and photography are an excellent way to blend creativity with adventure. For instance, writing about and photographing nature deepens our appreciation for the natural world and reshapes our relationship with it. Nature writers and photographers are no longer just passive admirers; they actively engage with the Earth and create art by observing the beauty around them. It’s fun, accessible, and incredibly rewarding.
Summer hobbies don’t have to be expensive! For those wanting to spend more time outdoors this summer without breaking the bank, this is a great list of free or low-cost hobbies to elevate the season and spark joy.
Featured image via cottonbro studio on Pexels
