Summer is upon us and, although it’s known for its lazy days, you don’t want it to end without having done some fun things. The beach and pool are par for the course but how about throwing yourself a bit of a curveball? When the temperatures turn cold, you don’t want to be able to talk about your summer Netflix binge, that’s for sure. Need some inspiration? Read on for some unique summer ideas you definitely shouldn’t pass up.

See an Outdoor Movie

Drive-ins are not as ubiquitous as they were back in the day but, with a bit of research, you’ll surely be able to find one within driving distance. This would be a particularly fun family outing. Get the kids in their PJs, load the fam in the car, and make it happen. Don’t forget the drinks and buttery popcorn.

If you can’t find a drive-in, try to find a movie in the park near you. Many parks throw these on weekend nights during the summer months. From retro movies and thrillers to action movies and family flicks, outdoor movie nights are the best. They will likely have food trucks and the like but, if you want to avoid the lines, pack a blanket and a basket of yummy food and do the night picnic-style.

Plant a Garden

This might sound anything but fun if you don’t think you have a green thumb, but the challenge is the best part. And although summer isn’t necessarily the best season for all plants, there are some that thrive during these months. Start small with hearty plants that are easy to grow, like tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots. Get the kids in on this, too. When making a salad, they’ll get a kick out of the fact that they made this … quite literally.

Take a Hot-Air Balloon Ride

If you’ve always wanted to do this anyway, summer will be the perfect month, as it can get pretty cold up there. For something truly unique, find a place that does rides at sunsets. A romantic sunset ride with your spouse is always amazing, too. Many places even offer a bottle of champagne as part of their package. Look into whether your town or a town nearby does a hot air balloon fest, as there’s no neater sight to see than a fleet of these in the sky.

Make Some Homemade Ice Cream

Summer is all about trips to the local ice cream shop, and although these ventures are the stuff of memories, making it would be truly unique. Don’t be intimidated either, as you won’t believe how easy it is to do. Better yet, the ingredients list is ultra-short, and you can feel good about eating ice cream sans all the preservatives. All you need is milk, sugar, ice, salt, a quart-sized food storage bag, a gallon-sized plastic bag, and vanilla (or the flavoring of your choice). Kids love to help in the kitchen, so they’ll be over the moon for this activity.

Create a Splash-at-Home Day

No pool? No problem! Go old school with a sprinkler or a slip ‘n’ slide. Better yet, fill up a bunch of water balloons and water guns and have an all-out family war. Lay out your family sized round towel for some post-splash lounging.

Hit the Road

There’s always something that needs to be done during the year, so take advantage of those summer months and go on a road trip. Is there some place within driving distance of your home that you’ve always wanted to go? Map it out, hop on some travel websites, and make sure to take note of any fun landmarks along the way. If you want to go all out, consider renting an RV. A summer trip to the Grand Canyon would be something your whole family will still be talking about for years to come. Make sure you’ve got plenty of games on hand, as you want to avoid the dreaded “Are we there yet?” every five minutes. If you want to do something more romantic, drive to the closest wine country. Wineries are often located along the same road, so you can make a day of it.

Trips to the beach and pool are fantastic, but try something (or all!) off this list and you’ll likely be creating new family traditions.