By Molly Chang & Ariana Rathan
Summer is a time of sunshine, relaxation and endless possibilities for high school students. With the freedom to explore their interests and passions outside of the classroom, summer provides the perfect opportunity to try new activities, develop new skills and make lasting memories. Whether you prefer outdoor adventures or inside ones, there are plenty of unique summer activities to keep you busy during the long, hot months ahead.
Photography
Photography is a fun and creative summer activity that allows you to explore your surroundings in a new way. You don’t need a fancy camera–even a smartphone can take great photos. Try experimenting with different angles, lighting, and compositions to capture unique and interesting shots. Taking a photography class or participating in a workshop can help to improve your skills and learn new techniques.
Cooking
A great way to learn new skills and explore new flavors, cooking could make for a new hobby or interest. During the summer, there are plenty of fresh ingredients to work with, from fruits and vegetables to seafood and grilling meats. As you explore, you can test out new recipes, experiment with different cooking methods and even challenge yourself to cook a new dish each week. Taking advantage of the warm weather, you can also host a summer cookout with friends or family, trying out unique foods and gathering around to taste test them.
Arts and crafts
Art and crafts are another fun way to express your creativity and make something with your hands. There are plenty of DIY ideas online, from making your own candles to designing your own t-shirts. If you want to explore a new hobby, you can try taking a class in pottery, painting or jewelry-making, or work on your own projects at home. You can also visit a local art museum or gallery for inspiration (and take some pictures for the Gram) while you’re at it.
Language learning
Learning a new language is a fun and challenging summer activity that can open up new opportunities and help you connect with people from different cultures. Especially if you are planning to travel across the country, it’s quite helpful to know some aspects of the foreign culture to interact with others. You can take an online course, download a language app or find a language exchange partner to practice speaking. By watching foreign films, reading books in the language or trying out new foods, you can immerse yourself in the culture in a more indirect way.
Gardening
Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding summer activity that might seem boring, but it ultimately allows you to connect with nature and even grow your own food. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, you can start a small herb or vegetable garden in your backyard or balcony. By growing different plants and pretty flowers, you can explore your creativity and learn more about nature through this hands on, interactive activity.
These unique summer activities for high school students are a great way to explore your interests, learn new skills and make the most of your free time. Whether you enjoy photography, cooking, art, language learning or gardening, there are plenty of fun and rewarding activities to choose from.
