Summer is always the best time of year. School is out and students can finally have a break from the endless assignments, tests and projects.

The warm sun shines, a welcome sign of fun summer activities ahead. Boating, fishing, skating, singing, and dancing call all souls into their embrace. Pasty guys and girls like me finally have a chance to work on our tan while sipping sweet piña colada or strawberry lemonade drinks.

Amusement parks call for thrill seekers as they conquer death defying drops in the company of warm summer evenings. Fourth of July calls for family parties filled with the delicious smell of hamburgers, barbecue, pasta salad, corn-on-the-cob, and to finish it off, a huge banana split to end the day. The best time of the year.

Everyone has summer traditions, whether you go to the lake for weeks at a time, take a European or tropical vacation, or even spend your whole summer reading in your backyard (like me), everyone has plans on how to soak up as much sun as they can. For Natali Tlilayatzi, ERHS junior, her favorite summer memory was when her family visited Tlaxcala to visit extended family. She says, “It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen them and it was nice to go there and just enjoy day by day without my phone.”

For those that struggle to find entertaining activities to help you spend the summer, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some fun options of how to pass the time and make sure that your summer is the best one yet!

1. Read! (This is my favorite)

Reading is my favorite activity, regardless of the season or time, reading books is just my favorite way to spend my time. I know reading isn’t for everyone but as the saying goes, “don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it”. If reading is not your ideal pastime, just try it. There are plenty of books out there that will match your interests. If you like SY-FY, there’s probably thousands of books for you to enjoy, including Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth and the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. If you like mystery, action, and romance all in one, might I suggest Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. If your interested in a sweet teen love story, the obvious choice is To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. If you want a darker horror-like series, The Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin is a must-have. There’s plenty of options of how to get lost in a book while enjoying the pleasant summer sun. Just pick up a book and get reading!

2. Go to the ocean!

Spending time with family and friends along the coast is always a great way to enjoy one’s time. The cool and refreshing ocean calls for sandy hair and salty eyes, and even if you don’t like to get in the water, focus on your tan! Lather up with some coconut tanning lotion and take a nap in the warming sun. And if that still isn’t enough, treat yourself to some fresh ice cream at Gelato Paradiso in Laguna Beach, where the smell of fresh homemade waffle cones fills the air and cool and creamy gelato tickles your taste buds.

There are other ways to spend time at the beach. Grab a bike or some roller skates and cruse up along the coastline in the cool evening, watching the sunset on the horizon, slowly turning the palm trees black as the sun turns to sleep.

3. Start a blog!

Are you passionate about something? Maybe your religion, favorite foods, or even your favorite sport. Start a blog where you can share and write all about it! Share your passion with others by talking about your past experiences and how they relate to your topic. List some of your favorite recipes and maybe a step-by-step breakdown of how to tackle the dish. You can even write about your favorite sports team and do a background section on them, then maybe what you have accomplished if you play the same sport. All great ways to stay busy, because you can take a computer anywhere. Work in the sun or in the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

4. Head to an amusement park!

If you are a thrill-seeker or just love a good roller coaster, head on over to Six Flags Magic Mountain for some great wind-in-your-hair and stomach-dropping rides. If you want a calmer experience, the obvious choice is Disneyland, with it’s beautiful attractions, scenery, and rides that make even adults feel like they’re young again.

5. Make DIY crafts

Go on Pinterest and look up some great crafts of what to do with the simple supplies you have around your house! Make a homemade picture frame for your mom, or add some jewels to your jean pockets, even sew together a barbecue apron for you dad.