31 ways to make this August super fun!

August is a gorgeous month - both in terms of the weather (for those in the Northern Hemisphere at least) - and the potential that it holds. From this very morn, until the finally moment on the evening of the 31st, we get roughly four and a half weeks to make the absolute most of summertime while it's still here.

Though one can - and should - make a point of simply putting their feet up and watching the breeze at least once or twice this month (such becomes a lot less enjoyable when the temps are -30, not +30 as they are still are for many at the moment), I often find that I feel an ingrained sense to do, enjoy and experience as much about this month as possible.

Though the lovely weather may linger into September or even early October, this will be the final full month of summer and here on Canadian soil, I know that that I'll likely be waiting until next April before we start to see the first signs of spring again.

That's a rather lengthy haul for anyone, especially those in countries where your winters look like pristine, Christmas card worthy landscapes for the better part of that time. All the more reason, if you ask me, why we should try to really get the most out of August.

Recently I started thinking about some of the various activities that I hope to focus on this month and before long, I had a good sized list going (including a few that fall under the "daydream" heading).

I figured that many of you might enjoy seeing what's on it and perhaps adding to your own August itinerary care of this selection of thirty-one diverse, lovely activities to do throughout the eighth month of the year.

Of course, depending on where you live and the other various circumstances of your life, not all of these not these ideas will be equally easy to achieve. Hopefully though, they'll help to serve as a handy jumping off point when it comes making your August as exciting and enjoyable as possible.

31 ways to make this

August super fun!

1. Hit the open highway, or backwoods path, as you desire, and take a road trip someplace new and exciting!


2. Celebrate one or more (just-for-fun) National Food Days this month. Yum-yum!


3. Most towns and cities team with events in the summer months. Look on local community websites to see if there are any that catch your eye and then inquire as to if you can volunteer a few hours or more of your time to assisting them this month.


4. Set a fun challenge for yourself of taking at least one photo each day of something highly seasonally related. If you blog, consider writing a post at the end of the month in which you highlight some, or all, of the beautiful snaps you collected throughout August.





5. Head on over to Memphis, Tennessee and join thousands of other fans at the annual Elvis Week festival, which takes place this year between August 10th – 16th.


6. Just about any vintage, antique or second shopper's dream, The World's Longest Yard Sale (it spans multiple states!) returns between August 4th and 7th. Bring comfy shoes, lots of small bills, and your best negating skills!


7. Go camping, unfurl your sleeping bag, and enjoy an evening spend under the celestial beauty of the stars.


8. Try to source a great deal on local produce and join in the beautiful age-old tradition of summertime canning/preserving.


9. Sit outside, while the nights are still deliciously warm, and see if you can spot any shooting stars, fireflies, or bats zooming across the inky black sky.





10. Go through your sewing/knitting/crochet patterns and see if there's a fun, speedy summer garment or accessory project that you can make in a day and get at least a bit of wear out of this season.


11. Set aside an afternoon, or whole day, if you'd like, to write cheerful "thinking of you" letters, notecards, and/or postcards to loved ones around the world (extra bonus points in the stationary and/or postage stamps that you is seasonally themed) in which you share some of the highlights of your summer thus far.


12. Interview an elderly relative about their life and then afterwards, to sincerely thank them for sharing so much with you, present them with the gift of one or more of their most memorable pieces of wisdom displayed as a custom art print for them to hang in their home.


13. Break out your best 1920s or 30s finery and join scores of seriously stylish folks at that most beloved of deco era related summertime events, the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island in New York state.


14. Start creating (or at least planning) your winter holiday season crafts and/or handmade cards. As much as we may not want to think about it yet, Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, and many other December festivities are now less than five months away!





15. Let your inner youngster out at the beach and make a sandcastle with the best of 'em!


16. Get up really early and go out on a local hot air balloon ride to watch the summer sun rise from a breathtakingly gorgeous - and very lofty - vantage point.


17. Spend time on, in, or near the water! Lake, river, ocean, tiny creek, it scarcely matters. The important thing is that you likely won't freeze in you get wet!


18. Track down a remaining drive-in movie theater in your state or province and take as many relatives/friends as you can legally load into the car for a night of classic film going fun.


19. Try to squeeze in some extra outfit photo shoots this month for those chilly fall and winter months ahead when the weather may not be nearly as cooperative, but you don't want to go too long between posting new looks on your blog.





20. Devote at least 30 minutes a day to quiet reading and make some serious headway on your summer book list.


21. Invite some friends over and hold a spa day/night using only cold or room products to help keep August's heat at bay while you pamper yourselves.


22. Head to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia for this year's fun filled Pacific National Exhibition - better known around these parts as the PNE.


23. Pretend that you're still of a single digit age and leap (or at least gingerly step ;D) through a splashing sprinkler.


24. Find a local stable or ranch that offers such and hire a horse for a day of trail riding.





25. Have a good old-fashioned ice cream social and go wild with the variety of sundae toppings that you offer your guests.


26. Visit, or perhaps even take part, in one of the biggest annual Highland Games, the Cowal Highland Gathering, in Scotland.


27. As you get ready to start incorporating your fall/winter wardrobe into your life again, take this time to give your closet a thorough purging. Sell, donate, or swap those items you no longer want and, if you've had some sales, treat yourself to something from your vintage wishlist that you've been yearning to buy for ages now.


28. Go early season apple or pear picking at a local orchard.


29. As the month wraps up, join throngs of fellow tennis enthusiasts at the US Open, which runs from August 29th - September 11th this year.


30. Host at least one more full-on, done right family barbeque or picnic.





31. Start planning your Halloween costume - it's never too early to do so and many stores are already beginning to stock festive offerings, so the sooner the better!



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Naturally the list above is a mere drop in the bucket (err, sandcastle pail) when it comes to the near endless number of things that one can do, savour and experience throughout the month of August, and it was tricky to cap my selection at just thirty-one entries.

It's doubtable anybody will do all of these entries this August, but we can each indulge in at least a few, adding in others that suit our lives and remaining open to some great on-the-fly fun as well.

After all, the ability to start your day early and end it late, both in glistening summer sunshine, is one of the most appealing aspects of this fantastic time of the year.

I hope that today's post will help to make your August even more enjoyable and would love to hear about some of the things that you adore doing, seeing, tasting, and otherwise delighting in this month!