7 fun summer activities to try this weekend

There’s no question this summer isn’t like a usual summer. Many places to go and things to do are either closed or restricted due to public health concerns, but don’t let that make your summer a bummer. Try one of these seven fun—and safe—summer activities to get outside and bust the boredom.

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Rent a paddleboard, canoe or kayak for some socially-distanced fun on the water. Bonus: great upper-body workout included.

A bike ride around the neighbourhood feels so Groundhog Day by now. Switch things up with a drive to cottage country where you’ll find wide-open cycling paths and trails, many of which end with a cooling lake swim. Pack a picnic lunch and a fishing rod, and you’ve got a day-long adventure.

You can’t argue with the convenience of online grocery ordering, but don’t you miss hand-picking your produce? Visit your local farmer’s market and fill your reusable bags with fresh-picked goodness. Sorry, no free samples to taste, but you can feel great about helping Canadian farmers, many of whom have suffered difficult growing conditions this year, on top of pandemic-related challenges.

Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting, and pick up a few bottles to enjoy at home. Most wineries offer tours where you’ll learn about the vineyard’s history, the wine-making process and get to sample the final product. Once exclusively adults-only, most vineyards are family-friendly with fun stuff to keep the kids occupied while you enjoy a glass.

Drive-ins are back and popping up in disused parking lots near you. Cars are spaced apart so you can safely park your lawn chairs in front of your vehicle. Bring your own popcorn (in case concessions aren’t available) and count on concert-quality sound systems and screens. Not quite ready for a night out? Host an outdoor movie night in your own backyard with a projector, a sheet, and plenty of pool inflatables for comfy seating.

Keep cool with an outing to a water park, where bigger is better. Big parks offer space between visitors and more slides to ride, so you’ll spend less time in line. If you’re not comfortable with a crowd, get a similar experience at home with an inflatable pool and water slide, water guns, and a game of water balloon baseball.

While sleep away camp for kids may be cancelled this year, many rural camps are offering weekend day outings for the whole family. Highlights include camp classics like lake swims, sailing, canoeing, arts and crafts, horseback riding and even zip lining. Check in with a camp near you to see what’s available for a weekend day trip with your gang.