Summer's here, and it's time to come out of hibernation and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are our favorite tips, tricks, recipes, and apps for making the most of the season.
Photo by Salem Eames.
10. Master the Art of Grilling
We've covered grilling tips from head to toe here at Lifehacker, whether you're just starting out on the grill or you're making some serious DIY mods. From shaping the perfect burgers to cooking the perfect steak, we've done it all—just remember that the five second rule only applies outdoors. Be sure to check out our #grilling tag for even more summertime tips. Photo by Another Pint Please....
9. Keep the Bugs Away
Nothing ruins a warm evening like getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, so the trick to a happy summer is to stop them before they start. We've shown you how to avoid all the stings, bites, and nuisances you can imagine, including a few DIY tricks like repelling mosquitoes with plants, homemade candles, fabric softener, and even a bubble machine. Of course, if all else fails, you can conquer those itchy bites with a few household items. Photo by John Tann.
8. Avoid and Soothe Nasty Sunburns
You can develop a sunburn after only 30 minutes outside, so it's crucial that you protect yourself in the summer, especially if you are of the pale-skinned variety. We've covered a lot of ways to protect your skin from sunburn, including finding the best sunscreen with the least controversial ingredients. If that fails, you can treat that sunburn with a ton of home remedies, including vinegar, black tea, witch hazel, vanilla extract, and oatmeal. A lint roller does a surprisingly good job of cleaning up that sunburned skin, too. And, if you want to get techy with it, you can build your own electronic sunburn alarm to keep you responsible. Photo by kirinqueen.
7. Take Advantage of Tasty Summer Produce
There is nothing like freshly grown produce to go with those summer burgers, and it's the perfect time to grab it. If you're growing it yourself, make sure you plant it at the right time, and stock your garden with foods that are cheaper to grow than buy. For the foods you aren't growing, it's pretty easy to find a quality farm stand in all 50 states. Photo by Pam Brophy.
6. Keep Up on the Weather Forecast
We've shared numerous weather apps, notifiers, widgets, browser extensions, and Taskbar displays, so there's no reason not to know what you're getting into when you declare an outdoors day. Prepare yourself with sunscreen, avoid heat fatigue, and make sure you don't get soaked in an unexpected rain shower. If you're trying to avoid the technology, you can learn to predict the weather without a forecast, too.
5. Make Your Own Backyard Fun
If you've got a bit of time on your hands, you can have some serious fun at home with simple outdoor projects. We've shown you how to put together an outdoor movie theater, build a wood-heated hot tub, throw together your own Slip 'n Slide, or even turn scrap pipe into a fun lawn game. You can also take just about anything and turn it into a backyard fire pit, including an old washing machine. And, when it's time to relax, you can kick back with a nice DIY hammock.
4. Enjoy Nature with some Hiking and Biking
While there's loads of fun to be had in your backyard, take advantage of the weather by spending some time with nature (after all, just five minutes a day can boost your self-esteem). We've featured a few services that will help you find the nearest hiking and biking trails in your area, and help you plan a geo-tagged route so you won't get lost. Of course, you could always just use the ever-reliable Google Earth, too. Photo by Jeff Wright.
3. Tend the Perfect Summer Bar
Whether you're just making fruity pitcher drinks or something a bit more fun-inducing, we've shared a ton of tips and drink recipes help you up the ante. From making better ice to stirring better cocktails, you'll be set to tend the perfect bar this summer. If you end up going a little too crazy and alcohol takes its toll on your brain and body, though, we've also got a plethora of hangover tips for you. We've covered more drink recipes and tips than can be listed on this one page, so be sure to check out our #drinks tag for more.
2. Brush Up on Your First Aid
All that outdoor fun is likely to lead to an injury or two this summer, so prepare yourself accordingly. Learn to recognize the signs of drowning, polish your CPR skills, and build a basic first aid kit for the road. You can also grab a few emergency manuals online to make sure you know what you're doing. It also helps to be aware of the myths surrounding first aid so you know what not to do.
1. Keep Yourself Cool During the Heat Waves
When the summer really gets chugging, it's likely to get pretty hot outside. Once it gets to uncomfortable heat levels, make sure you've given your air conditioner a checkup, or at least put together a DIY cooling system for your home. When you do go outside, make sure you stay cool when exercising and know your body's best cooling spots. There's no reason you can't still enjoy the great outdoors just because the sun's out in full force. Photo courtesy of Becca Schall.
We've covered a lot of tips for summer fun over the years, so be sure to check out our #summer and #outdoors tags for even more ways to make this summer the best on record. And, if you've got your own tips for having fun this season, be sure to share them with us in the comments.
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