Summertime Fun Without The Crowds Or The Trash!

Take some time off to enjoy the little thing in life. We all deserve a bit of fun and something different right now. Here are some awesome fun activities that you can do without spending a lot of money or using a ton of resources. The best part is, these activities are all compatible with a zero-waste lifestyle!

#1. Make Homemade Ice Cream

Making homemade ice cream is one of the most memorable times I can remember as a kid! My grandparents had an old-fashion ice cream machine that had a huge motor on top of it that looked like it could rip your arm off if you reached in. Maybe that was just what my Grandpa told me to keep me out of it! But homemade ice cream is so delicious, and now is the perfect time to come together as a family and make some good-o-fashion ice cream!

Not only is making ice cream fun, but it can also be done without single-use plastic. Most dairy products come in recyclable cartons, and because you are using your own bowls and utensils, there is little to no waste! Check out this article for more about recycling dairy cartons.

There are a ton of ice cream recipes out there, but we have a few to suggest in case you wanted something a bit different.

Easy American Style Ice Cream (no eggs)

Rolled Ice Cream

Dairy-Free Ice Cream

#2 Go To A Drive-In Movie

Watching a movie is a great way to entertain the soul and pass some time. But at this point, nobody wants to be home anymore then they have to. 

Take your movie outside, without the stress of large crowds, and go to an old-fashion drive-in movie! You can get out of the house, bring your own zero-waste snacks, and make it a fun nighttime adventure. It's different than going to the regular movie theater, and since you can bring your own food and drinks, it's much cheaper! 

Get your cooler, blankets, popcorn, and pillows ready and head over to driveinmovie.com for a directory of movie theaters near you.

#3. Stargazing - Comet NEOWISE

Ok, if you haven't heard of the Comet NEOWISE yet, it's probably because there is so much going on in the news right now, and you could definitely use a break from the screen. Get your favorite lounge chair or blanket and head outside just after the sunset. Get comfy and look to the NW, just under and to the right of the Big Dipper. 

There you might find the best comet of the last few decades putting on a spectacular light show for all of us on Earth.

Use a pair of binoculars or a telescope for the best viewing, but it should be visible with the naked eye.

It's free, you don't have to go anywhere unless you can't see the sky, and you can take a few snacks or beverages that don't use single-use plastic. 

Need more info? Check out space.com for more

#4. Start a Compost Pile

Ok, not the most entertaining activity you might imagine, but compost has more qualities than you might think, and it is recycling food into more food! How cool is that? It also is a great way to reuse what you already have!

The smell of finished compost can be therapeutic and help release stress. Finished compost smells a lot like the Earth, and just a few whiffs can help you relax as you are reminded of the true cycle of life. Trust me; it's better than watching the evening news!

Most newbie composters struggle with starting the pile and getting it hot. But don't worry, composting is easier than you might think, especially if you have a lawn and eat food. Learn more about the composting process here.

There is a bit of work to get an area ready for composting, but that is also easy and cheap if you use pallets or other recycled materials for your containment walls. Check out 35 Cheap DIY Compost Bins here to get some ideas. 

Once you have your compost bin ready, you just mix everything organic that you can find, such as grass clippings, food scraps, cardboard, and anything else that decomposes and mix it in. Then come back in a few days and turn it and water it again. Heck, you can even throw in some of the used-up products you bought from us in there!

FYI, if you need help with your composting project, send us an email or call us! We would love to help you discover this amazing natural process that grows organic soil. 

#5. Visit a U-Pick Farm

Let's face it, shopping is not as fun as it used to be. This includes the Farmer's Market. All across the country, Farmer's Markets are either closed or have been converted to pick-up-only service.

You can still get the fresh local food you crave and support the local farmers by heading over to THEIR place and picking your food straight off the vine!! 

If you don't have your own garden, this is a perfect way to spend a day outside and get the freshest nutrient-rich food possible.

There are many "U-Pick" farms in the country and a few in town, you just need to find them first. A great way to find these hidden gems is to look at your local Farmer's Market website and find their directory of farmers. Then pick up the phone and call some to see if they will let you come pick your own produce. 

Many of these farmers are finding it hard to sell their produce and would be more than happy to have you do the harvest for them, and also meet their most loyal customers at the same time. Just be respectful of how you harvest your food and use a knife or scissors if needed. You could even pull a few weeds for good karma!

Things are changing, and farmers are the best at adapting, so don't be shy! It will be fun and a great way to get out of the house, reduce waste, and get the best food available, all at the same time!

Don't forget to take your reusable shopping bags and plastic-free containers to carry your treasures home in!