How to Have a Great Summer (for Girls)

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 24, 2023 References

No girl wants the summer to pass her by, so make some plans to have fun! Summer is the perfect time to catch up with friends, try new things, and take some time for yourself. Since there's so much you could do, you might want to make a list and prioritize things. This way, you won't run out of precious summertime before truly enjoying yourself!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Enjoying Time with Friends

1
Host a sleepover with a few of your friends. It's hard to fit overnight get-togethers into a busy school year, so take the opportunity to have friends over for a sleepover. You can stay up as late as you like, watch movies, make snacks, and gossip until you're exhausted. Then, enjoy sleeping in the next morning.^{[1]
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- If your friends are up for it, ask if they'd like to camp out in your backyard. Set up tents and have the others bring sleeping bags and flashlights.
2
Go thrifting to find bargains or unique items. Unless you're old enough to have a summer job, money might be a little tight. This shouldn't keep you from shopping with your friends. Head to a thrift store and look for unique bargains that match your individual styles. You might find some vintage steals!^{[2]
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- You can also repurpose secondhand clothes and accessories. For example, work with a friend to customize a new outfit or just have fun trying on bizarre looks.
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3
Have a craft party. Meet up with friends to make jewelry, candles, or scrapbooks, for instance. Ask everyone to bring some supplies. You might also ask friends if they could teach you how to make specific things, like bath bombs or earrings. Put on some music and have fun making things with your friends.^{[3]
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- If you need cheap supplies, get things from the dollar store or garage sales.
4
Go see a movie or concert with a group of friends. So many new movies are released during the summer that you're sure to find a few blockbusters to see. Check with your local theater to see if they offer matinee pricing or any summer deals.^{[4]
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Tip: Check your area to see if there are any outdoor movie showings. Some cities play free movies in parks. Just bring a comfy blanket to toss on the ground and some movie snacks!
5
Swim with your friends at the local pool or waterpark. Enjoy the hot temperatures by cooling off at the pool. Pack drinks, snacks, and reading material so you can relax by the side of the pool when you're not in the water.^{[5]
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- Bring sunscreen and sun protection so you don't end up with a sunburn!
6
Walk around the mall if you want to stay indoors. If it's just too hot to be outside, get a group together to walk around the mall. You can window shop if you don't feel like spending money or just go for snacks in the food court.^{[6]
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- Some malls hold summer events, such as free movies or music.
7
Attend local festivals or events. See if any of your friends want to go to local fairs, concerts, or amusement parks. Since many of these are limited-time events, it's important to find out when they're happening. Keep in mind that some events charge entrance fees, so find out about costs before you go.
- You might be able to get a group discount if you go with a group of friends.
8
Get into nature and explore! If you enjoy water, spend some time at your local lake, beach, or ocean. You can also get a group of friends together to take a hike. Many local parks have fun disc golf courses along with their trails.^{[7]
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- If it's really hot in your area, try to do outdoor activities in the morning when it's cooler. Always remember to bring drinks and wear sun protection.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying New Skills or Activities

1
Practice a musical instrument. If you're learning to play an instrument, use some of your extra time to practice. You can play on your own or ask some of your fellow bandmates to meet up during the summer. You might even want to take a summer music class.^{[8]
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- If you enjoy acoustic stringed instruments, pick up a guitar or ukulele. You might want to play a wind or brass instrument, such as a flute or trumpet, if you know you'll be joining the school's marching band.
Tip: If you don't play an instrument but enjoy music, practice singing!
2
Take a course at your community center. Stay active and get a little exercise during the break. Check your local pool or community center for a list of classes they offer during the summer. You could try a new sport or build on your skills. For example, take a pilates course if you've always been interested in it or take a more challenging swimming class if you've already taken a few.
- If you don't enjoy swimming, try a different class. You may be able to take gymnastics or climbing, for instance.
3
Work on your cooking skills. Find a few recipes that you'd like to make and offer to cook a meal for your family or bake dessert. Keep in mind that cooking gives you a little more flexibility at making something, while baking usually involves an exact recipe. If you're pretty new to baking, ask for a little help in the kitchen or watch cooking videos to gain some confidence.
- For example, you might bake brownies, learn to make scrambled eggs, or try making your favorite meal.
4
Try a new physical activity or sport. Think about which activities you'd love to be able to do and try them out! You might want to learn to roller skate or rollerblade, for instance. If you enjoy team sports, look for a team that meets during the summer. Ask your school if local teams are signing up or check local community boards for flyers.^{[9]
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US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments
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- You might be able to join a summer sports camp if you really love being active.
5
Brush up on your foreign language skills. If you'll be learning a language at school, use the summer break as a chance to work on your skills. Although you don't have to take summer classes, you might enjoy watching movies or shows in the language to see how much you can pick up.^{[10]
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- Play online games in the language for a fun way to practice!
6
Get a summer job so you can make a little money during the summer. If you have extra time on your hands and want to earn money, find a job that you think you'd enjoy. You could babysit for a neighbor kid, find a job at the mall, or work as a lifeguard at the pool. Try to choose something that you'll enjoy doing so you don't dread going to work.^{[11]
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- Decide how many hours you want to work every week before looking for a job. Some employers might be looking for full-time workers while others might need someone infrequently.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Relaxing by Yourself

1
Get some extra sleep. Enjoy being able to stay up late and sleep in the next morning! Don't set your alarm unless you have to be somewhere and give yourself a chance to catch up on your sleep. If you're under 12 years old, try to get 9 to 12 hours of sleep every night. If you're over 13, aim for 8 to 10 hours of sleep.^{[12]
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- Remember to give yourself time to do things during the day. If you find that you're sleeping most of the day, you may want to set an alarm.
2
Read new books or magazines. You might feel overwhelmed by homework and reading for school during most of the year. Take advantage of your summer free time and pick up some books that you want to read for fun. Read fun books to take a break from your usual coursework or learn about something you're truly interested in.^{[13]
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Reading Rockets
Online resource supported by PBS providing research-based strategies for assisting children to become confident readers
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- If you don't want to spend a lot of money on books or magazines, check your local library for materials.
Tip: Your library might have reading groups or free programs for the summer.
3
Check out new music or catch up on your favorite shows. Take a break from the routine of school and enjoy just hanging out at home. Turn on some music to unwind or binge a few shows that you haven't been able to watch in a while. You can also catch up on movies that you didn't get around to seeing.^{[14]
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- You may want to see a local performance. Check your community's event calendar to find fun shows or performances to check out.
4
Redecorate your room. If your room needs a new look, spend some time thinking about how you want to change it. Shop for new decor or paint if you really want to give the room a makeover. For example, if you think your room is looking a little too juvenile, change your bedspread and pillows. You might want to get new lamps or rugs, too!^{[15]
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- Summer's a great time to go through your things too. Donate or discard unwanted clothes and personal items to declutter your room.
5
Start a journal or get a pen pal. Writing in a journal or a diary is a great way to spend a few minutes every reflecting on how the summer's going. You could also use this time to write a story or correspond with someone else. Write to a distant friend or sign up for a pen pal program. You'll be matched with someone who lives far away and might make a new friend!^{[16]
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- If you enjoy writing stories, set a goal of writing a new short story every week.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I get ahead during the summer for school and still have fun?

Community Answer

You could study the following academic year's course material. You could watch educational videos online. Spend time enjoying your favorite school subjects, without stressing too much about it, as it is your vacation time.