Things to do this Summer 2022!

From the Commonwealth Games to new attractions and events to discover, 2022 is shaping up to be an incredible summer! 

Whether you fancy going to a festival or taking part in a new activity, there are plenty of choices to choose from and we're here to help!

Trust us, we know how difficult it can be to keep yourself and the kids occupied all the time during the summer holidays, so fear not, we're here to help you plan a fun summer for you, your friends and family!

Our list includes ideas for whether the sun decides to shine or the rain decides to pour so carry on reading to discover ways to keep the fun going, AND if you're on kid duty this summer, we've included some awesome and budget friendly activities too.

Just remember, at the end of the day it's what you make of it that makes summer so great!

Cheer on England, Scotland and Wales at the Commonwealth Games!

2022 is the year of the Commonwealth Games and can you believe that it’s taking place in Birmingham this year? Over 5000 athletes are set to compete in more than 15 different sports and more than 250 events. 

If you are lucky enough to grab some tickets then we are extremely jealous! How amazing would it be to see some of the world’s best athletes basically in your backyard?!

The opening ceremony is on Friday 29th July and is sure to light up the city of Birmingham. If you didn't manage to get tickets to the games, why not plan a trip to Birmingham anyway? The city is bound to be buzzing!

Have a BBQ

Who doesn't love a BBQ when the sun is shining? Great food, good music and even better company! And why not try something different this year and learn to barbecue something new?? Step away from your usual go to burgers and hotdogs and barbecue up a brand new delicious dish!

Go Swimming

Even better, go swimming in an outdoor pool! Find your nearest outdoor lido and run. Swimming outdoors is one of the best things to do during the summer, just remember to put on some sun cream.

Create your own outdoor cinema

This is something we did last summer and will definitely be doing again this year! With the cooler and lighter nights working in our favour at the moment, there's no better feeling than cosying up under your blankets being under the stars watching your favourite movie. Even better, you have the choice of as many snacks as you want!

Go to the beach

Whether it be a sandy or pebble beach, walking along a beach during the summer is a must do activity. 

Read a new book

Whether you're into young adult fiction, romance or suspenseful thrillers, use your free time to get into a great book. We all know how difficult it can be to put time aside to immerse yourself in a new book, but when you find a great one, time will fly by.

Go to the cinema

Not going away this summer? Don't worry you can leave the suitcase behind and get a cinema boarding pass instead! With so many amazing movies on the release radar, a trip to the cinema is a must this summer!

Go camping

In your lounge! Whether it's in a field or in the comfort of your own home, camping can be fun for all! From adventuring in nature to making (and eating) smores, there are plenty of activities to choose from that will keep the kids occupied for hours.

Local markets

This could even include your local car boot sale or flea market. You really can grab some bargains - just be prepared to get up early!

Eat ice cream from an ice cream van

From a 99 (that's not 99p anymore) to a Solero, getting an ice cream from the ice cream van is a must in the summer (or any time of the year really). When you hear the sound of the ice cream van heading up your street, head outside for an afternoon treat.

Fruit picking

Now you're probably thinking it might not sound THAT exciting but there's something about being out in nature, on a working fruit farm, picking your own fruit to take home that is very enjoyable. It's a wholesome experience for all the family to enjoy AND very British as the UK is FULL of fruit farms. You can even make this activity into a friendly competition between friends and family!

Be a tourist for the day

If you love exploring like us then you will love being a tourist. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to travel far to be a tourist. You could even be a tourist in your own city, town or village and discover places you've never seen or been to before. 

Go to a theme park

Whether it be one of the big ones like Alton Towers or Thorpe Park or even your local fun fair, riding rides are always fun and attempting to win a giant teddy bear has got to be done.

Plane spotting

If you live near an airport or airfield, this would be a great activity for the kids - even better if the sun is shining!

Go to a festival

Of course, it doesn't have to be as big as Glastonbury. You could even look around to see if there any local festivals taking place OR you could even create your own!

Make a summer playlist

One thing you should most definitely do to kickstart your summer is to make your own summer playlist. At the end of the summer you can then look back at this playlist and reminisce all the good times you had that summer. Songs always hold onto special memories and by making a playlist dedicated to what you got up to this summer is the perfect way to capture those memories.

Plan a staycation

Over the last two years, UK staycations have boomed and so have the prices! And for Summer 2022, it's looking like that trend isn't going to change this year.

If you're on a budget this summer or have left it too late to book somewhere then why not pitch your tent somewhere and go camping! There's no better way to get up close and personal with the UK landscapes and countryside after all. There are some incredible sights to explore and discover and a great way to make this year a summer to remember.

Go on a road trip

Are we American now?! Grab your friends or family, put the tunes on and drive. You don't have to go far if you don't want to, just get out and see the country. I promise you, you won't regret it. (Just look at your route before you head out to avoid traffic!).

Long walks

Another thing a lot of people were doing last summer was going on long walks. Again, we think this is a trend that will continue on until this summer and we're so here for it! There are so many different places to explore and what better way to discover new places than on foot?

The Nickelodeon Experience

The Nickelodeon Experience is a brand new family event for Summer 2022 which is touring the UK offering kids a unique opportunity to step into their favourite Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. TV shows! It's an immersive experience which includes games, escape rooms and water fun. Have a look to see if the Nickelodeon Experience is coming to a park near you this summer!

Even with our unpredictable weather, the UK really is a great place to be during the summer and it's the perfect time to try something new or find new places and make the most of what the UK truly has to offer.

Hopefully, this list of things to do has given you plenty of ideas for you, your friends and family to enjoy this summer.

What are your plans for this summer? Let us know in the comments below!