Dreaming of Summer 2026

If you don’t schedule things, sometimes they just don’t happen and suddenly, time has passed you by.

It’s a little dreary outside, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start dreaming of summer! Longer days, warmer nights, laughter in the sun, and adventures with friends and family are just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to start planning the summer that makes you happiest.

This page is full of tips and ideas to spark your summer dreams and help you turn them into reality. Every suggestion below is designed so you can plan ahead, mark your calendar, and look forward to it, no matter how long the winter feels.

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Plan a Beach Day with Your Family

Pick a date in July or August and block it in your calendar. Decide on a theme, think of games and snacks, and maybe even create a little checklist of things to bring. Having a date set now gives you something sunny to anticipate, even on a chilly day.

Take a Road Trip in South Georgian Bay

Map out your route, including stops, scenic views, and restaurants you want to try. Mark your trip days on the calendar so you and your friends or family can start imagining the adventure now, and maybe even start a playlist or plan photo challenges.

Skip Rocks at Five Beaches

Set a goal for later this summer. Pick your five beaches, mark them on a map, and put tentative dates in your calendar for when you’ll visit. It’s a simple goal, but scheduling it now gives you something playful to anticipate.

Plan a Family Reunion BBQ

Pick a weekend and mark it on the calendar. Start brainstorming the theme, games, and menu. By planning ahead, you’ll avoid the summer scramble and make the event truly special.

Book Your Campsite for Summer 2026

Check availability and reserve your spot now. Take this time to make a list of supplies you might need so when summer comes, everything is ready. Nothing is more relaxing than knowing your plans are already set.

Rent a Cottage for a Weekend

Choose a weekend, mark it on your calendar, and make a packing or activity list. Planning ahead means you can secure the best spot and start looking forward to a cozy, fun getaway.

Go on a Golf Tour with Your Friends

Pick your courses and schedule the dates for your rounds now. By planning ahead, everyone can mark their calendars and commit, giving you something fun to anticipate for the summer.

Have a Sunset Picnic

Pick four nights throughout the summer for sunset picnics and mark them on your calendar. Invite a friend or neighbour ahead of time so you can make it a summer ritual to enjoy the longer days together.

Go Fruit Picking at a Local Farm

Research which farms will be open and what fruit will be in season. Mark tentative weekends for your trips so you’ll have a goal to look forward to, even while it’s still chilly outside.

Plan a Mini Music Festival with Friends

Pick a weekend, mark it in your calendar, and start brainstorming playlists, snacks, or backyard activities. Even small planning now gives your summer a big highlight to anticipate.

Take a Ferry or Boat Ride

Check schedules for your favourite lakes or islands and mark a day on the calendar. You can even start planning snacks or games for the ride. Having a set date gives you a reason to look forward to the warm weather.

Create a Summer Reading Challenge

Set your goals now. Pick 3-5 books you want to read this summer and decide on a start and finish date. Even in the cool months, you can imagine cozy summer afternoons reading in the sun.

Start a Garden

Decide what you want to grow and make a plan to start seeds indoors or prepare your garden in May. Planning ahead makes the process easier and gives you something green and growing to anticipate.

Host a Movie Night Under the Stars

Set up blankets, a projector, and your favorite movies. Pick two or three nights to schedule and invite friends ahead of time to make it a summer tradition.

Try Kayaking, Paddleboarding, or Canoeing

Pick your dates and book rentals in advance. Planning now means you won’t miss the best weekends and gives you something adventurous to dream about.

Try a New Sport or Hobby

Decide what you want to try and mark practice days or lesson times on your calendar. Summer goals are more exciting when you start imagining them now.

Plan a Picnic Crawl

Pick three parks or locations, mark tentative dates, and plan snacks in advance. Even imagining it now gives you motivation for longer, sunnier days ahead.

Make a DIY Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Schedule a date with friends or family and start thinking of toppings and flavors now. Planning in advance turns a simple treat into a full summer celebration.

Go on a Photo Scavenger Hunt

Pick themes, dates, and locations. By planning now, you’ll have something creative and playful to anticipate for your summer days.

Attend a Local Festival or Fair

Check schedules and mark the dates on your calendar. Planning ahead ensures you won’t miss your favourite events.

Have a Water Balloon or Water Gun Fight

Pick a weekend, invite friends ahead of time, and plan the location. Summer fun is even sweeter when you have it marked as a date to look forward to.

Make Your Own Backyard Obstacle Course

Pick a weekend to set it up and invite friends or neighbours. Scheduling it now makes it a goal for the summer rather than a “maybe someday.”

Go Stargazing

Pick four nights throughout the summer and mark them in your calendar. Invite a friend or neighbour and plan snacks or blankets for the evening. Even while it’s chilly outside, you’ll have something magical to anticipate.

Organize a “Random Act of Summer Fun” Day

Pick a weekend and write it on your calendar. Decide on a few ideas now so that when the day comes, you’re ready to be spontaneous but intentional.

Host a DIY Craft or Painting Day

Pick dates and invite friends in advance. Planning now gives everyone something creative and social to look forward to.

Try Outdoor Yoga or Meditation

Pick weekly mornings or evenings to schedule in July or August. Even setting intentions now will make it easier to stick to in summer.

Organize a Themed Dinner Night

Pick a date and theme now, send out invitations, and plan recipes or decorations. Scheduling early means it’s a true summer highlight rather than an afterthought.

Plan a Picnic on a Hilltop or Lookout

Pick your dates and mark them on the calendar. Invite friends or family ahead of time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset together.

Go Berry Foraging or Mushroom Hunting

Research locations and mark potential weekends. Even imagining these trips gives you something adventurous to dream about now.

Plan a Splash Day

Pick a weekend, mark it in your calendar, and start thinking of water games or setups. Early planning ensures maximum summer fun.

Host a Backyard Campfire

Pick evenings and invite friends or neighbours. Planning now allows you to schedule the perfect summer nights for s’mores and stories.

Have a Summer Bucket List Challenge

Pick 10-15 things you want to do this summer, set dates or timeframes for each, and mark them on the calendar. Dreaming now makes them more likely to actually happen.

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Summer isn’t just a season - it’s something to look forward to.

Planning now gives you small sparks of excitement during the colder months, and by the time the sun is shining, you’ll have a calendar full of adventures waiting for you.

Dream it. Plan it. Live it.