100 Nostalgic Things To Do In Summer 2024

Remember those carefree childhood summers filled with simple joys and endless adventures? As millennials we find ourselves longing for the nostalgic vibes of the good old days. If you’re ready to unplug, get creative, and embrace the summer nostalgia, we’ve got our ultimate list of 100 nostalgic things to do in summer that will transport you back to the sepia-tinted memories of your youth.

Yes, we feel old but our hearts are still young! Plus, if you have younger siblings, nieces, and nephews these activities can help you bond and show a side of life they may not be aware of in 2024.

These nostalgic summer activities are not only fun and whimsical, but they also offer a much-needed break from the digital world that consumes our daily lives. You’re never too old to relive your childhood memories and we’re not ashamed to say we do these often.

Studies show that engaging in nostalgic activities can boost your mood, increase feelings of social connectedness, and even enhance your sense of meaning in life. So, why not take a cue from your childhood memories and create nostalgic things to do in summer that celebrates the simple pleasures of the past? For the whole list, grab the free printable so you can check off your own adventures.

I remember s’mores around the campfire, retro outdoor games, and classic DIYs like tie-dye and friendship bracelets. We’ve curated a list of ideas that will help you create a summer filled with childhood memories and throwback vibes.

Whether you’re an ’80s, ’90s kid, or an early 2000s teen, this nostalgic summer list of activities will make you feel like the good old days again. So grab your friends, family, or significant other and get ready to create some unforgettable memories that will make you feel like a kid again. Also, if you’re in the SF Bay Area and care to go frolicking in Spring flower fields, don’t forget to check out this post.

Outdoor Nostalgic Things to do in Summer

• Catch fireflies in jars at dusk: As the sun sets, venture out into the backyard to catch these enchanting creatures. Marvel at their gentle glow and release them back into the night
• Set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood: Nothing says summer quite like a refreshing glass of lemonade. Set up a classic lemonade stand and learn valuable entrepreneurial skills while quenching your neighborhood’s thirst.
• Go berry picking at a local farm: Visit a local farm or orchard to pick your berries. Savor the sweet taste of summer and use your harvest to make delicious pies, jams, or smoothies
• Build a treehouse or fort in the backyard 
• Have a water balloon fight with friends
• Organize a neighborhood block party or barbecue
• Go Stargazing and Wish on Shooting Stars: Spread out a blanket in your backyard on a clear night and see how many constellations you can identify. Make a wish on any shooting stars you spot.
• Swim in a lake, river, or ocean instead of a pool
• Collect wildflowers and press them in a book 
• Go fishing with a cane pole and live bait 

There’s something magical about reliving the simple outdoor pleasures of childhood summers. From chasing flickering fireflies to picking sun-ripened berries, these nostalgic activities allow you to unplug, get creative, and enjoy nature’s simple gifts for free.

Grab some friends for an epic water balloon battle or organize an old-fashioned neighborhood barbecue with classic lawn games. Fall asleep to the sound of crickets as you stargaze from your sleeping bag. The goal is to embrace summer nostalgia and recreate those carefree childhood memories.

Things to do in Summer: Food and Treats

• Make Homemade Ice Cream: Whip up a batch of creamy, delicious ice cream using a classic recipe or experiment with new flavors. The perfect treat to beat the summer heat!
• Create a Summer Scrapbook: Document all your summer adventures in a scrapbook. Include photos, ticket stubs, pressed flowers, and written memories to create a keepsake you’ll treasure for years to come.
• Roast marshmallows and make s’mores over a campfire 
• Churn your own butter and make bread from scratch 
• Pick wild blackberries and bake a pie
• Eat watermelon and have a seed-spitting contest
• Make Homemade Popsicles: Blend fresh fruit, yogurt, or juice, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze for a refreshing summer treat. Get creative with flavor combinations!
• Have a Picnic in the Park: Pack a wicker basket with your favorite summer treats, grab a cozy blanket, and head to your local park for a relaxing picnic with friends. Don’t forget the frisbee for some post-lunch fun!
• Buy an ice cream cone from the neighborhood ice cream truck 
• Preserve summer fruits and vegetables by canning or making jam 
• Make a pitcher of sun tea and serve it in mason jars

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Is there anything more nostalgic than the taste of freshly churned ice cream or a gooey s’more around a crackling campfire? Food has an incredible ability to transport us back in time.

This summer, grab your favorite people and recreate those classic treats we all adored as children. Host a backyard picnic featuring your grandma’s famous fried chicken and lemonade served in mason jars.

Spend an afternoon picking wild blackberries, then bake them into a bubbling pie. And don’t forget to flag down the ice cream truck for a rainbow sprinkle cone! These throwback summer crafts and old-fashioned treats are the perfect way to satisfy your craving for a simpler time.

Things to do in Summer 2024: Activities & Experiences 

• Attend an old-fashioned county fair or carnival 
• Have a Backyard Movie Night: Hang a white sheet, set up a projector, and invite friends and family over for an outdoor movie night. Don’t forget the popcorn and cozy blankets!
• Go Roller Skating at an Indoor Rink: Lace up your skates and glide around a retro indoor roller rink. Don’t forget to request your favorite throwback tunes!
• Visit a Retro Soda Fountain or Malt Shop: Treat yourself to a classic ice cream float or a creamy milkshake at a vintage-style soda fountain or malt shop.
• Play classic yard games like croquet, horseshoes, or lawn darts 
• Learn to use a hula hoop or yo-yo 
• Have a Backyard Campfire and Tell Ghost Stories: Sit around a crackling campfire in your backyard, roast marshmallows, and take turns telling spooky ghost stories.
• Tie-dye some t-shirts or make friendship bracelets
• Collect glass soda bottles and return them for change
• Play flashlight tag or hide-and-seek at night 

The digital age seems to have overtaken most of us but let’s slow down a bit and immerse ourselves in nostalgic summer experiences that celebrate classic summer activities. Stroll through the midway at an old-fashioned county fair, nibbling on cotton candy as you try your luck at classic carnival games.

Pack up the car for a night at the drive-in theater, complete with buttery popcorn and your favorite retro candy. Lace-up some roller skates and glide around a vintage indoor rink. Back at home, sit around a crackling campfire to toast marshmallows and tell spooky stories as the sun sets. These timeless summer traditions are the perfect antidote to modern-day stress.

100 Nostalgic Things to do in Summer

These are only a few of the nostalgic things to do in summer. For the whole list, grab the free printable so you can check off your own adventures. I hope you’ve rediscovered a childlike sense of wonder and excitement. In a world that often feels complicated and chaotic, there’s something deeply restorative about revisiting the simple joys of summers past. 

So this season, between the work, classes, and projects, make space for magic. As you explore these throwback summer activities with your favorite people, you’ll be creating new childhood memories and sentimental keepsakes to treasure for a lifetime. 

This summer, let’s celebrate the simple pleasures and unforgettable summer memories. It’s time to unplug, get creative, and savor the magic of an old-fashioned summer.