Summer is finally here, but with the coronavirus pandemic still sweeping the world, plenty of folks have been forced to cancel their vacation plans and adjust to life in lockdown.
You might not be able to go on a Caribbean cruise or while away the hours sipping cocktails on a beautiful golden beach this summer, but there are still plenty of great ways for you and your family to have some fun!
From soothing spa days to backyard barbecue parties, read on to learn all about some awesome summer vacation ideas you can enjoy in total comfort and safety.
1) The Thrill Of The Theater
There’s nothing quite like Broadway, and countless people flock to NYC every year to see the world-famous shows with their very own eyes, but you can still enjoy a little slice of the action in your own living room. Broadway HD streams a whole range of performances and you can really make a night of it by getting all dressed up and cooking something special in advance.


2) Go Crazy In The Kitchen
A big part of the fun of traveling far and wide is trying new foods from the places you visit. But thanks to the internet, you’ve got countless recipes right at your fingertips! Let your tastebuds do the traveling as you test out some fun new ideas in the kitchen.


3) Birdwatching
Many people like to go on vacation to flee their urban environments and connect with nature. Well, you can enjoy nature right from your own backyard by simply grabbing some binoculars, pulling up a lawn chair, and admiring the birds all around you. You might be surprised by how relaxing birding can be.


4) Make The Most Of Webcams
Even if you can’t visit popular touristic landmarks, you can still feel like you’re there through the power of technology. Many webcams have been set up at popular destinations and sites of interest, such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome or the Old Town Square of Prague. You can enjoy a virtual vacation in just a few clicks.


5) Visit A National Park
National Parks have reopened, allowing anyone and everyone to explore these stunning areas of beauty and make magical memories among the rivers, forests, mountains, and canyons of the natural world.


6) Try Some Yoga
Maybe you rely on your summer vacation as a way to relax, forget your worries, and de-stress your body, mind, and soul. Well, it won’t be quite the same, but you can create a relaxing and soothing environment at home by putting on some tranquil music and enjoying some yoga or meditation.


7) Poker Night
Were you planning a trip to the crazy casinos of Vegas and Reno this summer? How about organizing your very own poker and game night instead! You can use video calls to invite your pals and all play together.


8) Soothing Spa Day
Feel in need of a little pampering? You might not be able to go to the spa, but why not set up your own soothing spa session right in your home? There are plenty of spa supplies you can order online and enjoy a day of meditation, relaxation, face masks, manicures, massages, and more.


9) Make Your Own Mini Golf
Folks of all ages love to spend a little time on the mini golf course, competing against friends and family to get the best score, but you can have a ton of fun making your very own course at home! Try setting up holes in different rooms, placing fun obstacles in the way.


10) RV Road Trip
Many hotels and tourist hotspots might be shut down, but if you have an RV, there’s nothing stopping you loading it up and setting off into the sunset for all kinds of fun family adventures in beautiful, natural places. RVs can also be rented, or you could simply spend a few nights in a stationary RV for a little change of scenery.


11) Have A Disney Day
Going to ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’ isn’t super easy right now, with most Walt Disney World parks and attractions only just starting to announce their reopening plans, but that doesn’t stop you enjoying some Disney fun in your very own home! Load up Disney+ and choose a few of your favorite movies, dress up like your favorite characters, or head online and find some recipes for your favorite Disney-themed foods to make at home.


12) Sunbathe In The Yard
The number one thing most people love about summer is the sun, and if you’re lucky enough to live in a sunny, warm area, you don’t need to go anywhere to enjoy it. Simply put on your shades, prepare yourself a refreshing drink, and take a seat in the backyard, ready to soak up those rays. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!


13) Backyard Beach Day
The beach is one of the most popular places to be in the summer, but you can recreate all the fun of a seaside trip in your own backyard with a swimming pool or simple blow-up pool. Grab some colorful toys, dress up in your swimsuits, slap on some sunscreen, and make your own fun.


14) Try Some Virtual Museum Tours
Lots of museums, galleries, and more have responded to the coronavirus pandemic by offering exciting virtual tours of their locations! It’s a great way to soak up some culture without even needing to leave your living room. Try the British Museum, for example, or the Guggenheim.


15) Climb Everest
Okay, not literally! But you can climb Everest in virtual reality through this amazing app, enjoying the incredible, adventurous ascent of the world’s tallest mountain and feeling a million miles away from home.


16) Fire Up The Grill
It’s not quite the same as going to your favorite restaurant, but hosting your own barbecue is a great way to enjoy some awesome food, feel the sun on your face, and spend quality time with your family.


17) Backyard Camping
Do you usually like to hit the campgrounds when the summer months roll around? Well, you can still have lots of camping fun by setting up a tent in your own backyard. Bust out the grill and light a fire to make your own smores late into the evening before sleeping beneath the stars.


18) Use Your Imagination
You might not be physically allowed to fly away somewhere wonderful, but there are no limits to your imagination! It might seem a little childish, but there’s nothing wrong with dressing up, decorating your home, playing some lively music, and simply pretending you’re somewhere else for a while.


19) Get Crafty
For another fun way to pass the time during lockdown, consider busting out the art and craft supplies and making some jewelry, art, and more – the perfect replacements for all those gift shop goodies you usually buy on vacation.


20) Have Photoshop Fun
People love to take thousands of photos while on vacation, and you can have a whole lot of fun trying to make your very own “quarantine vacation album” with the family. Play around with different filters and use Photoshop to add different backgrounds to your images too.


21) Backyard Drive-In
You’ll need some special equipment for this one, but if you can pull it off, it’s really worth the effort! Set up a projector and screen in your backyard to create your very own, totally private drive-in theater. Watching a movie outside, under the stars, is a wonderful way to spend an evening with your nearest and dearest.


22) Watch Documentaries
Thanks to streaming services, you’ve got endless hours of nature and travel documentaries right at your fingertips. With just the touch of a button or the tap of a screen, you can be whisked away to the other side of the world, learning about different cultures and ways of life without even leaving the couch.


23) Lose Yourself In Books
There are plenty of great travel books and guides out there too, as well as endless stories set in exotic locations that can help you feel a million miles away from your usual surroundings.


24) Wild Encounters
Along with museums and galleries, lots of zoos and aquariums have also set up webcams and virtual tours to let you get up close and personal with all kinds of animals, right there in your living room! Try the Cincinnati Zoo or San Diego Zoo to get started.


25) At-Home Bar Crawl
Lots of restaurants and bars have been organizing unique virtual bar crawls for people to enjoy safely from their own homes. The concept is pretty interesting and works differently depending on where you are. Some even offer deliveries of local food and drinks direct to your home, with live streaming music and performances to enjoy on your computer or phone while you drink.


26) Theme Parks
Nothing can beat the thrill of riding a rollercoaster, but with the internet, you can enjoy a similar experience without having to wait in line! Lots of theme parks have recorded their rides and uploaded them to YouTube, letting you watch in either a flat or virtual reality format. This video, for example, lets you enjoy a front seat experience on the Jurassic World ride in Hollywood!


27) A Galaxy Not So Far Away
Perhaps you were planning a family vacation to the amazing Galaxy’s Edge this summer? Well, there are still plenty of ways to bring the Force home to you. Head to the Disney Parks blog to grab some Star Wars themed recipes you can cook at home and even take a virtual ride on some of the attractions on your TV or via a VR headset.


28) Backyard Music Festival
This is ofcourse if your city is done with quarantine. You might not be able to go to Coachella or any other fancy festivals in the weeks ahead, but you can stage your very own fun time right at home! Set up some speakers, play your favorite tunes, and get all dressed up to dance around the yard all day.


29) Make Your Own Water Park
If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard pool, why not try jazzing it up a little? Throw in some toys, set up a slide, or install a net for some fun volleyball action the whole family can enjoy.


30) Home Swaps
Since many people have been stuck in their own homes for quite a while now, a lot of us could use a little change of scenery, so how about organizing a house swap with a family member or friend who has also been safely isolating and enjoy some new surroundings!


Hopefully this list will have given you a little inspiration and some fun ideas for the summer months ahead. Even during this difficult time, we can all find some great ways to have fun and make memories with our families, and all you need is a little ‘out of the box’ thinking. Share the list around to give your friends and family some ideas too!