June’s here and that means summer has officially arrived (no matter what the weather is doing!). Time to enjoy some summery fun, both at home and out & about. Here’s a list of ideas and inspiration for things to do at the weekend in June.
Things to do at the weekend in June
The Scottish weather in May was nothing short of awful this year. Cold, cold, cold. Rain. Winds. Hail. Winter coat weather, basically. But the sun has finally appeared, temperatures are slowly rising and it’s starting to feels like summer’s on the way now.
June has a real “summer’s almost here” feeling here in Scotland, as our school holidays start at the end of this month. It’s time to start planning all your summer fun, spending as much time as possible outdoors, and generally enjoying the first of those lovely summer weekends.
Ideas for a June Weekend
Whether you’re going away for a post-pandemic trip, overhauling your outside space ready for an al fresco summer, or anything in between, here’s a list of easy ideas you could do during the weekends in June.
1. Pick Your Own Fruit
This is the month that the pick-your-own farms usually open their doors here, and it’s a firm summer fixture to take the kids to pick our own strawberries and raspberries. They’re so good that most of the time we eat them on their own or with some yogurt or ice cream, but I also make Homemade Raspberry Jam every year (super easy!)
I’m also a sucker for the amazing Strawberry Cake from Smitten Kitchen.
2. Go to an Ice Cream Parlour
Summer means ice cream and it’s definitely worth taking a trip to an ice cream shop somewhere near you. We have a couple of favourites local to us, and even though the kids stick to the exact same order every time, I prefer to slowly make my way through as many flavours as possible over the summer.
Our best ice creams last year came from the amazing Cullen Ice Cream Shop on the Moray Firth in the north of Scotland. It’s a must-visit if you’re in that part of the world.
3. Or Make Your Own Ice Cream
It’s easy to make your own ice cream, even without a machine. The best recipes tend to use condensed milk which freezes well with no ice crystals. Try this no-churn vanilla ice cream.
I still think you get the best result with an ice cream maker though, and they’ve really come down in price in recent years. We have a really inexpensive one and it always turns out great ice cream.
4. Do Something to Brighten Up Your House
The warmer weather is a good opportunity to do something simple to brighten up the front of your house. Outdoor paint usually needs warmer temperatures so it’s a good time to repaint your front door, maybe in a new colour, as this can’t be done in the cooler months.
It’s also a great time of year to add new pot plants, hanging baskets, or some greenery. You could also buy a fun new doormat – I like this hedgehog one.
5. Eat Al Fresco
We all got quite used to eating outside at cafes and restaurants during covid, but at least now you have the choice it’s much more enjoyable. I also like to eat outside at home whenever possible, and I’ve become a bit obsessed with bamboo plates and cups for using outdoors – so much nicer than standard plastic ones, and more eco-friendly too.
6. Set Up a Solar Water Feature
Now that you’re probably spending a lot more time in your outdoor space, try adding something fun like a solar water feature. There’s a huge amount of choice, even if you only have a small area.
I also love the idea of a “patio pond” – a container with a mini pond and plants inside. You can buy a complete patio pond kit to get you started.
7. Buy Some Local Honey
Hayfever season is in full swing, and if you’re a sufferer it can make this time of year pretty miserable. As well as your normal meds, try getting hold of some local honey from your own area and eat some every day.
As well as being delicious, it can apparently help you build up a bit of resistance to the pollen in your part of the world. You can normally find local honey in farm shops, or village stores in rural areas.
8. Upcycle Something
If you’re looking for a fun project or starting a new hobby, now is the perfect time to try your hand at upcycling. Sanding and painting can make quite a mess, so working outdoors is the perfect way to have a go without trashing your house!
Head to your nearest furniture saleroom, salvage yard, auction house, or even the local recycling centre, see what you can pick up for a bargain and breathe some new life into.
9. Make a Summer Bucket List
The school holidays are just round the corner and it’s time to make plans. If you need to arrange childcare, summer camps, holiday activities etc, make sure it’s done well ahead of time to take the stress away! Try to have a rough plan for summer weekends too, as many activities will need to be pre-booked.
After the logistics are taken care of, sit down with the kids and find out what everyone would love to do this summer and make a summer bucket list for your family.
10. Try a New Barbecue Recipe
If your barbecues always tend to consist of the same items, and you’re looking for new recipes, then here are two fantastic (and super easy) ones: Italian BBQ Pork Chops and Halloumi and Pepper Kebabs.
Also, if you can’t go without a Sunday roast through the summer, but it’s just too hot to be stuck in the kitchen, then have a look at this amazing collection of barbecue roast recipes.
11. Plant Something Seasonal
If you want to brighten things up outside, try planting nasturtium seeds, which are quick to grow and flower, and will give you some lovely colourful flowers.
Now’s also a great time to plant pumpkin and squash seeds, or courgette seeds. They’re easy to grow, the smaller kinds do really well in containers, and all will give you something delicious in autumn.
12. Celebrate the Dads on Father’s Day
It’s Father’s Day on Sunday 19th June 2022, so it’s time to treat any Dads you know and make them feel appreciated.
Tuesday 21 June 2022 marks this year’s summer solstice, and Scandinavian countries will traditionally mark midsummer that week. Here’s how the Swedes celebrate Midsummer.
Here in Scotland we have very long hours of daylight at this time of year and I like to make the most of it by taking walks in the evening and enjoying the light. By August it will be considerably darker so it’s really worth appreciating now!
14. Treat Your Feet to a Pedicure
Sandal weather is here and if your feet have been cooped up in woolly socks all winter then they might need a bit of TLC. You don’t have to spend hours filing dry skin away these days – just pop on a pair of exfoliating socks and let them do the hard work.
If you’re looking for long-lasting DIY colour for your nails, then I highly recommend Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy polish. It’s so simple to put on, and the Diamond Top Coat will give you a really hard-wearing finish that does look like a professional gel polish. Great stuff, and really affordable too.
I hope this post has given you some ideas of ways to spend your June weekends. If you have any favourite or traditional activities for this time of year, then let me know in the comments!
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