August has officially arrived and the final full month of summer is here. It's hard to believe how quickly the season has passed, but we still have a solid four weeks to squeeze in some summer-themed activities. Today, we're sharing the ultimate August Bucket List! 


1) Get a New Pair of Hiking Boots
The true hiking season of fall is creeping up, but it's important that you are well equipped to avoid any unnecessary aches, pains, or injuries. Insert hiking boots! Go ahead and purchase your pair in August and then use them for a few local walk-abouts to break them in well before the real hiking season kicks off in a few short weeks. August can still be a fairly toasty month, so we suggest sticking to early morning or early evening hikes to avoid the hottest of days!

2) Volunteer at an Animal Shelter for a Day
By this time in the summer, we're typically searching for more indoor than outdoor activities and volunteering at a local animal shelter for the day can give you that opportunity! Not up for volunteering? Swing by a local pet store and stock up on some food and toys and donate to your shelter... they're always in need of items for their furry residents! 

3) Attend a Local Play
Many towns and cities host summertime theater groups and August is a popular month for end-of-summer productions. Check your local listings for upcoming musicals and theater performances to invest in an afternoon or evening of entertainment! 

4) Donate a Backpack to Local Charity
Most of us may beyond the age of back-to-school shopping, but that shouldn't stop us from doing so for a child in need! Many communities host back-to-school backpack and supplies drives, providing kids in the community with the essentials they need to succeed during the new school year. Not sure where to begin? Reach out to your local Salvation Army or churches, both will typically have their ear to the ground regarding local drives and can get you pointed in the right direction.

5) Cool Down with Pasta Salad
We're not sure about you, but the heat of this month often leaves us far from motivated to cook (and eat!) a hot meal. Insert pasta salad! Not only do pasta salads provide yummy and filling meals, but with hundreds of recipes and types to choose from, you'll be overwhelmed with delicious decisions. THIS article by Country Living provides 51 amazing recipes and we'll be trying them all August long.

6) Deep Clean Your Bed
No, we didn't leave out the word "room" for bedroom... we're serious! Take time this month to get ahead of your fall cleaning by deep cleaning your pillows, mattress, mattress pads, sheets, comforters, and quilts! Check out THIS easy to follow instructional for a straight forward "how to" for deep cleaning your mattress and THIS video for a quick and easy pillow-washing instructional.   

7) Take Time to Read
Lazy summer afternoons have you feeling a little drowsy? Rather than catching a few zzz's and potentially harming your good night of rest, why not carve out some time to read a book (or two)? Sitting in a hammock and diving into a good book is one of our favorite summer past times and one we'd fully recommend. Not sure what to read? Check out this article by Publisher's Weekly for the Best Books for Summer 2018.

8) Play a Round of Mini Golf
Didn't get a chance to squeeze in a round of mini golf at the beach this year? Not to fret! Many bigger cities have their own mini golf courses and you'd be surprised just how much fun a fun round of putt-putt can be! 

9) Enjoy a Sophisticated Picnic
National Eat Outside Day takes place on August 31st and that means you have the perfect opportunity to soak in those final August moments with a perfectly sophisticated outdoor picnic. Check out this delicious menu from The Food Network and use it as a launching pad of culinary creativity for your own picnic.