CREATIVE PROJECTS TO TAKE ON OVER SUMMER VACATiON

CREATE A SUMMER MUSIC PLAYLiST

Summer is a wonderful time to relax and listen to some music to get in a good mood. Creating a playlist can help you pass the time and develop your music taste. Try searching for new artists on Spotify or Apple Music. You can also share your playlist with friends or create a shared playlist with songs you all like. Another way to curate songs for your playlist is through Shazam, an app that can identify song titles and artists in real time based on a short sample of the music. When you hear music that you enjoy, you can identify the song with Shazam and add it to your playlist.

Learn A New Language

Though learning a new language in two months might sound unrealistic, with consistent practice and love for the language, you can be proficient enough to engage in basic conversation by the end of the summer. Learning a language is a great way to experience a new culture. For those traveling to another country, try picking up basic conversational skills and practicing with native speakers. For those learning from home, using language websites or apps can help you understand the basics without firsthand experience of being in the country.

KNiT CLOTHiNG OR ACCESSORiES

Knitting cute clothing and accessory items is another great way to spend your time during the summer. Learning to knit requires a bit of money and a whole lot of patience, but after some practice, you will be able to create a variety of knitted objects. To get started, pick out the proper materials: a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. There are plenty of helpful videos online to guide you through knitting basic items, such as a scarf. As your skills improve, you can try taking on bigger projects, such as a swimsuit or a tote bag.

Read A Book

The amount of free time you have in the summer means it is the perfect time to start reading. Start by finding a genre that interests you, then search online or ask friends for books in that genre. Visit a local library to borrow them or go online to buy them—Barnes & Noble, Target, and Amazon are popular booksellers. Other options are buying secondhand or downloading digital versions of books. To make your reading marathon more interesting, keep notes of themes and bookmark favorite parts to come back to.

PLAY GAMES WiTH FRiENDS

Playing games is a great way to stay in contact with friends during the long summer break. With countless games on various platforms, you can play games on a mobile phone or on a gaming computer, even when you’re traveling. Gaming can also help you develop skills that are useful in everyday life, such as sharper reflexes and better problem-solving strategies. There are di erent levels to gaming, so you do not have to be a professional gamer to play. Popular video games include Minecraft, Super Smash Brothers, and The Legend of Zelda.

—Compiled by Lise Desveaux, a Culture Editor.