Spend Your Summer Doing These 20 Nerdy Activites

June 29, 2017 / Bethany Lemmon 

 

The dog days of summer are upon us, and the annual problem of our generation is finding a good way to spend it. Fortunately for us over in the kingdom of geekery, we have some options.

Here a few ideas.

1. Host a movie night.

Preferably outdoors with a projector and white screen to take advantage of summer weather, but indoors can be just as cozy. Invite your guests to bring a favorite snack or treat, some blankets and pillows, and get comfy. All you have to do is select a favorite film. Short on ideas? Check out The 50 Best Family Movies on https://gearpatrol.com/2013/11/22/definitive-mens-movie-collection-50-best-family-movies/

2. Grab some chalk, head to the sidewalk, and scrawl down some of your favorite fandom quotes.

The goal is to unite all nerds within our nation… not to mention that it can be fun to get a little dusty. Feel free to doodle to your heart’s content.

3. Visit your local library.

There are usually free events and activities open for you to attend. If not, you can browse the shelves, chat with the librarians, (they’re friendlier than you think!) or take a breather and read a good book. There may even be cultural passes available to check out.

4. Go to an art, science or history museum in your city.

Pack a lunch and a notebook, and consider bringing along a few friends.

5. Check out a local arcade.

Connect with your inner gamer and maybe win a few prizes.

6. Go thrift shopping.

Keep an eye out for vintage comics, t-shirts, books, and movies. You never know what treasures could be waiting to be discovered. A cool action figure to add to your quantity? A collectible tin you never knew you needed, perhaps?

7. Get the gang together and marathon your favorite series.

With so much time on your hands, why not?

8. Try out a new nerdy craft.

The possibilities are endless. From Perler beads to pillows, you can deck out your space and get creative in the process. For some fun ideas check out https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=nerdy%20craft \

9. Don your lab coat and try an experiment.

Make your own rock candy, volcano, or see what happens when you combine hydrogen peroxide, soap, yeast, warm water, and a bit of food dye. It may be best to take your science outside and remember to wear goggles and any other required safety gear. You can find some great experiments over on https://sciencebob.com. (Instructions are included.)

10. Be an explorer.

Find a durable notebook or journal, head outside, and document what you see. Record what you are drawn to. Pay close attention. You may even want to tape in pictures, pressed flowers, leaves, or sketches.

11. Try your hand in coding.

The world of code is rising, and although you may not need to utilize the skill anytime soon, it can be interesting and fun to learn. Keep your eyes open for local coding classes, or check out  https://www.codecademy.com and https://code.org.

12. Experiment with some nerdy recipes.

Have you ever wanted to craft your very own butterbeer, bake a TARDIS cake, or maybe make some triforce lemon bars? Perhaps not. But with these easy recipes, you’ll be ready to make any impromptu celebration a little more awesome. Find them on https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=nerdy%20recipies&rs.

13. Go stargazing.

Imagine lying in the rippling grass with your favorite people, a blanket of bright stars above your head.  A midsummer dream. Find a clearing away from the city, set out a blanket, and enjoy!

14. Sign up for a pen pal.

Go old school and connect with someone from a far away place. You can sign up for a geeky pen pal now at http://geekgirlpenpals.com/

15. Join a book club (or any club in fact.)

This will give you the chance to get out of the house and meet people with common interests. An added bonus: it’s probably free. If you’re feeling limited, don’t be afraid to start your own.

16. Practice your video editing skills and put together a short film.

Brainstorm a few ideas and cast your actors. (Even if it’s terrible, you can laugh at it later.)Don’t have a camera or video editing software? Film all of your clips from your phone, and download the iMovie app for free on the app store. (Even if it’s terrible, you can laugh at it later.)

17. Put on a party featuring your favorite fandom.

Get your friends together, serve some snacks, and don’t forget to put up a few DIY decorations. You can find inspiration, recipes, and printables for your fandom party on  https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=fandom%20party%20ideas&rs

18. Go to a drive-in movie.

Yes, there are still businesses that run drive-in theaters. Do a bit of research to find one near you, and enjoy the throwback of the summer.

19. Go on a photography outing.

Take your camera and see what moments you can capture. You could even turn it into a race or a scavenger hunt with these photo prompts on  http://captureyour365.com/.

20. Draw a map of your room, house, or neighborhood, and the things that you would like to add to it.

Dragons are encouraged.

 

So if you’re needing a summer pick-me-up or just something to do, we have you covered. Have fun storming the castle!

Download your own free printable nerdy summer activities checklist here! Nerdy Summer Activities Checklist (1)