July has arrived in its full hot, humid force and we’re gearing up for a month of summer-inspired activities and adventures. As with the coldest months of winter, it becomes tempting to seek the cooler indoors as our temperatures sail into the upper 90’s, but instead of hiding from the heat with Netflix, we’re sharing a few ideas to keep you cool, entertained, and engaged all summer long.As with every new month, the PillowCubes team is excited to roll out the Ultimate July Bucket List!

1) Give Stand Up Paddle Boarding a Try
Spending any length of time outdoors when it’s hot can be miserable without a way to cool down, and it’s important to find activities that give you access to some Vitamin-D and water. Insert the ever-popular sport of stand up paddle boarding! Many times your local lake and/or Parks and Recreation center will have beginner SUP classes and board rentals, which gives you all the tools you need to become a pro SUPer. Typically it’s best to paddle board in the morning or evening during summer’s hottest days as to avoid the high afternoon sun, but either way there’s always an opportunity to jump off and cool down with a quick swim making it a perfect mid to late summer activity.

2) Watch a Sunrise
Want to beat the summer heat? Pack a picnic of fresh fruit, pastries, and iced coffee and head to the great outdoors to watch the sun wake up. Not only will you avoid the highest temps of the day, but you’ll also get to watch the world wake up in a beautiful way. Find your sunset time HERE

3) Visit a Unique Museum
Use the steamy summer days as an excuse to explore more indoor activities in your town. While you’ve most likely visited the tourist hotspots and museums nearby, take time to stop by somewhere completely new during the month of July. Many times your local library or town hall will provide you with a list of all the town’s special attractions.

4) Make S’Mores Over the Grill
No need to add extra heat to the air with a camp fire, use long shish kabob sticks or reshaped metal hangers to roast marshmallows over your open flame grill. Don’t settle with Hershey’s only - break out of your traditional box and opt for peanut butter cups, Nutella, peanut butter and more to make your s’mores as epic as possible.

5) Repaint a Room in Your Home
Been eyeing the paint trends on Pinterest and thinking about changing up the color of a room in your home? Why not use your time avoiding the heat outdoors to transform a room indoors with a fresh coat of paint! You’ll be amazed what a fresh coat of paint can do to give your home a completely new look. Just be sure to keep an overhead fan on if it’s extra humid outside to help the paint try more quickly.

6) Take Me Out to the Ball Game
America’s favorite summer sport is in full swing during the month of July and it’s a great time to take yourself out to the ball game! Whether your town has a Major League team or a small farm team, spend an evening supporting your local baseball players while enjoying the excitement, concession stand food, and fun memories found at baseball games!

7) Take a Day Trip
Summer screams exploration and there’s never a better time of the year to explore somewhere you’ve never been. Spend a day exploring a new town within a two hour radius. Hit up a local coffee shop, restaurant, museums, local brewery, and hot dinner spot before heading home for the day. You’ll be surprised how many new memories you can cram into a 12 hour time period.

8) Send a Christmas in July Gift
On July 25th we will have hit our halfway mark to Christmas! Use the day to send a special “just because” gift to a friend or two to let them know you’re thinking of them. You don’t have to do anything extravagant or over the top, a simple gift card and handwritten letter will be as welcome surprise as any when it turns up in their mailbox!

9) Cool Down with Summer SaladsThere comes a time mid-summer when it’s just too hot to even consider turning on the grill, stove, or oven. Cue salads. Whether your a greens, grains, veggies, or fruits fan, the possibilities for salads are endless! Check out this Country Living article for some tip-top ideas! 

10) Host a Lemonade and Appetizer Party
The time between July 4th and Labor Day generally marks a lull in summer gatherings as people are enjoying months of travel and staying cool indoors. Break the cycle and host a simple homemade lemonade and appetizer party to reconnect with friends even in the middle of the hottest time of year. No need to go over the top or formal with this one, just make a pitcher of homemade lemonade (check out these recipes) and a few favorite summer appetizers, light some citronella candles to ward off any unwelcome mosquitos, and enjoy an evening of chatting and memory making!