11 Activities for Fun at Home
Summertime for many is the best time of the year. Start with supplies you already have – and let Costco.com fill in the gaps. Maybe it’s time to learn to bake – or refine your skills. Indoors or outdoors, here are some recommendations to help make this summer special.
Dine outside
Move your dining room outdoors. Invest in a picnic table, then fire up the grill. From standard fare like burgers, hotdogs and steak to fun alternatives like Grilled Australian Lamb Chops with Carrot Top Harissa, and lighter fare like Premio Grilled Sausage and Summer Salad, Costco has lots of options.
Top it off with a longstanding tradition – s’mores. Start with the basics – graham crackers – and then add the classics, chocolate bars and marshmallows. Or, mix it up by swapping your chocolate bars for peanut butter cups.
Too cold? Make s’mores over the gas range. Or, warm up those chilly evenings with an outdoor fire pit.
Go on a backyard adventure
Whether you want to hang out or camp outside in a tent, Costco.com has what you need.
Prefer to move around? Set up a scavenger hunt to identify local trees and flowers. Or, make a list of items you can find in your backyard. Divide into groups and check them off your lists.
Want to slow down? Invest in binoculars for stargazing or bird watching.
Belt it out
Music can bring people together in so many ways.
Have a backyard party. Include karaoke, lip-synch to some favorites or if you’ve always wanted to be a deejay – take a spin on the turntable.
Invite some friendly competition. Challenge your guests to guess the song or the singer, or pull out your phone and make your own music video.
Whether you are ready to host a silent disco or need some quiet time, treat yourself to a new pair of headphones.
Let your imagination run wild
Legos are a classic crowd-pleaser. Build a rocket ship, design a building, create a new animal or construct a whole scene.
Need more ideas? Make puppets out of old socks. Or, try more upcycling – from popsicle stick figures to robots made out of common household items such as cans and cardboard. The possibilities are endless.
Get crafty
This is one area where you can definitely use what you have in your house.
For coloring, painting, or drawing, you just need some pens, crayons, pencils, and paper. Or, invest in washable markers.
Take it a step further: Set up a mini art studio and challenge your family to a portrait contest. Everyone has to draw each other. The winner gets a special dessert and their portrait.
Love Post-its? Try building a sticky note window mural or a vision board of all the things you want to do and the places you want to go.
Get some fresh air. Move craft time outside and have some fun tie-dying.
Dress it up
Whether it’s a costume contest, a fashion show or superhero day, your closets are beckoning.
One idea? Dress up in costumes created from regular clothes. Your Superman could be created by using a blue shirt and a red blanket as a cape. Or, become an everyday Spider-Man.
Live stream your fashion show or costume contest to family or friends, who will become your audience and/or your judges.
Pets can get in on the action, too. Set them up on their dog bed to watch or dress them up in their favorite outfits.
Mix it up
Take a break from the summer sun with a cool treat. From delicious ice cream milkshakes to smoothies, try to come up with new blender concoctions. Incorporate what you have on hand, including your favorite berries or other fruit with a little chocolate syrup.
Have some fun in the kitchen
Try a pizza party. Start by making your own dough. Set up a topping bar to please everyone. Include a variety of sauces, cheese, veggies and meat.
Then, move to the best part – dessert.
You can use your pressure cooker to bake cakes and brownies.
For a can’t miss option, find the cookie sheets and make cookies. Whether premade with frozen cookie dough or from scratch, cookies fresh from the oven – or with a bit of ice cream on top – are a delicious summer treat.
Play "office"
Working from home? Everyone can.
Costco.com has table and chair sets ideal for creating drawings and stories.
When it’s time to concentrate, take a break or go to bed, turn to book sets, including classic series, activity books or superhero adventures.
Take a ride
If all else fails, jump on your bike, put on your skates or find your scooter. Don’t forget your helmet. If you prefer your feet on the ground, try your hand at sidewalk chalk, balloon animals or gardening.
You can plan ahead by ordering supplies from Costco.com. Whatever you choose to do, have fun.