Hazy evenings by a lake, salt-specked skin after a humid hike, the gentle hum of cicadas acting like nature’s white noise machine as you sleep. If winter is for bracing, summer is built to unwind. It’s time to slow down, enjoy the long sunny days, and open up your mind, body, and spirit to new pleasures and possibilities. 

This summer, why not try something totally new—or revisit something you’ve been missing? Research shows that novelty is powerful for the brain. New experiences spark neuroplasticity, helping form fresh neural connections that keep your mind sharp, adaptable, and resilient. They can also trigger a release of dopamine, boosting your mood while building confidence and a greater sense of ease in the face of challenge.

The best part? It doesn’t feel like work. It feels like summer. 

25 Fun Ideas to Try This Summer 

Interested in some new ways to deepen your connection with yourself, your community, and Mother Nature? We have a few fun ideas. Consider these challenges as novel ideas, a gentle push outside of your comfort zone, or simply an idea to fill up an afternoon. If you want to make this a challenge, we’ve created a little bingo card, too. 

1. Pick up pickleball (or any new-to-you) game. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country for a reason: There’s a low barrier to entry so beginners can learn the basics fast before getting into the game. If there’s not a court near you, or pickleball isn’t your thing, maybe disc golf, spike ball, standup paddleboarding, or hopping on an e-bike sounds fun. Whatever you choose, we recommend bringing along your naturally sustainable Merino bras, underwear and activewear to stay cool and dry during play and along the sidelines. 

2. Try a body scan meditation. Bring awareness to each part of your body, from head to toe. If you’d like, try it outside in the shade from summer’s sun. Follow along with our guide to get started.

3. Flower print your Innerwear. Get crafty with some inspiration from the incredible natural dyer Vive Textiles. Watch her videos to see how to do the incredible hand-crafted technique called “flower pounding” and transform your Merino wool Innerwear into a piece of art.  

4. Stand under a waterfall or find a new body of water near you. Being near bodies of water, sometimes called “blue spaces” by scientists, can have a profound impact on your physiological health, promoting calmness, decreasing stress, encouraging better sleep, and more. Get invigorated under a waterfall or simply gaze upon (or splash in!) in a lake, pond, river, or bay. 

5. Try a new water sport or learn to swim. Take your relationship with the water up a notch by getting active. Find an adult swim class (there are so many available and it’s really never too late to learn), or try something new like standup paddleboarding, sea kayaking, bodyboarding, or snorkeling. Check out why Merino is a surprisingly great choice for taking a dip.

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   6. Forage for your dinner. No matter where you live, there are edible wild foods growing close by, and summer is a great time to find them. Foraging is a way to slow down and learn about your local ecosystem while enjoying its bounty. Not sure where to start? Look for a foraging class in your area, check out the crowdsourced website Falling Fruit, or follow a local creator like Alexis Nikole (Ohio), Savanna Schwartz (Kentucky), Gabrielle Ceberville (Virginia), and Indigenous Food Lab (across the country). 

   7. Call a friend you haven’t talked to yet this year. We know this in our bones: There’s something uniquely powerful about female friendship. Research shows that strong connections between women can help reduce stress, boost mood, and support long-term health. Pick up the phone and call her. You know she’d love to hear from you. 

   8. Sleep outside or spend a night completely unplugged. Trade screens for stars. Whether it’s true camping, spending a night in the backyard, or just an evening indoors without electricity, stepping away from artificial light and digital noise can create a lasting reset. Fresh air, darkness, and quiet—sometimes the simplest conditions are the most restorative.

   9. Watch the Perseids meteor shower. The Perseids, one of the most active meteor showers of the year, peak in August and can produce dozens of shooting stars per hour under the right conditions. Dark sky locators can help you find the best place to watch. Make a night of it with a friend, cozy blankets, and snacks. 

   10. Go on a hike solo. Venture out into nature with just yourself (and your supplies, of course). Check out our guide on how to get started hiking alone safely. 

   11. Learn to build a fire without a lighter. Channel your inner survivalist and try starting a fire the old-school way. Begin with dry tinder ( pine needles, bark shavings, or dry grass), add small kindling, then build up to larger sticks. Use a fire starter like a ferro rod—or even friction if you’re feeling ambitious—to spark it to life. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating your own warmth from scratch. 

   12. Join a local trail cleanup or community event that gives back. Spend a few hours supporting the places you love while connecting with others who care about them, too. You’ll leave with more than you came with, and your surroundings will, too.

   13. Watch a sunrise and sunset on the same day. Take in the full rhythm of summer light, from first glow to golden hour. If your schedule allows, try it on the solstice (this year it falls on Sunday, June 21) for the longest, brightest version of the day.

   

   14. Pet a sheep or visit a farm—whether it’s a small garden, a working ranch, or something in between. If you do find sheep, it’s a chance to connect back to where wool gets its start. Learn more about where BRANWYN sources its ethical Merino wool here. 

   15. Identify a new bird in your neighborhood. Pay attention to its call, color, and movement. You might be surprised how much you’ve been missing right outside your door. Plus, you might end up hooked like the experts in our Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching blog. 

   16. Air-dry clothes for three washes. Let fresh air and sunshine do the work. You’ll save energy while helping your garments last longer and feel better on your skin.

   17. Explore a women’s-only retreat or gather your own circle for a day. Whether it’s a structured getaway or something you plan yourself, carving out intentional time together can be deeply energizing, while creating and strengthening bonds that last for many seasons. Gain some inspiration from these adult summer camp ideas. 

   18. Visit the local market and talk with three sellers. Visit the local market and strike up a conversation with three different sellers. Ask about what they grow, make, or recommend that day. You’ll leave with something more meaningful than just what’s in your tote bag.

   19. Make a DIY wool wash. Natural wool washes can help keep your Innerwear soft and performing at its best. Consider this recipe from Brittany at Just B Crafty, which uses lanolin, natural castile soap base, and coconut oil. 

   20. Try an animal-flow yoga or dance class. Animal-flow yoga classes are inspired by primal movement patterns and invite you to move your body in ways you usually don’t, as you crawl, stretch, spiral, and get a little weird with it. But really any dance class will help you move your body in new ways! 

   

   21. Book a hike-in vacation. Get away from it all in a spot you can only reach on your own two feet. Consider these stunning hike-in only lodges across North America, or find a backcountry spot to pitch a tent. 

   22. Challenge yourself to a no-buy week. Press pause on non-essential spending. Notice what you reach for out of habit versus what you truly need, and get creative with what you already have. By the end, you might find even more appreciation for what’s already in your life.

   23. Tell another woman they inspire you and why. Whether it’s her resilience, creativity, or her ability to insert herself into a difficult conversation, naming it makes the moment more meaningful. It’s a small gesture that can leave a lasting impression on both of you. Check out other ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day all year long. 

   24. Go to your local playground and go on the slide and swing. Feel the rush, the lightness, the wind in your face. Playful movement has been shown to reduce stress and boost mood. Sometimes your system just needs a reminder that you’re allowed to have fun.

   25. Take a skateboarding class or something that makes you feel like a beginner. Start from zero. Fall a little, laugh at yourself, figure it out as you go. Learning new skills helps build confidence and keeps your brain adaptable. Plus, there’s something comforting about remembering you don’t have to be good at everything. 

    

We want to know, what’s on your personal summer bucket list? We’re always looking for inspiration and love to hear from you! Please let us know at info@branwyn.com or @branwynofficial on Instagram.