31 Summer Hygge Ideas to Nurture Yourself will set you on the right path to embracing the cozy side of living – even in the heat of summer! A relaxed lifestyle doesn’t have to be something you enjoy only in winter.
If you’re looking for more ideas on adding hygge to your life, What is Hygge? The Popular Danish Lifestyle Decoded and How to Hygge: 31 of the Best Cozy Ideas will help you on your journey.
“Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds.”
Regina Brett
Who said you could only hygge in the winter when summer has so many cozy elements to savor?
The summer months are when we can enjoy extended daylight, being outdoors more, dining alfresco on a cool summer night, and enjoying life’s simple things.
What is Hygge?
Hygge is a Danish word that credited for making Danes is the happiest group of people on earth. It’s a lifestyle that celebrates living in the moment, finding beauty in simplicity, and nurturing yourself and others with coziness.
In The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking said, “Hygge has been called everything from “the art of creating intimacy,” “coziness of the soul,” and “the absence of annoyance,” to “taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things,” ” cozy togetherness,” and my personal favorite, “cocoa by candlelight.”
Creating a Cozy Life Group
Since you found this article on Summer Hygge Ideas, I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 120,000 like-minded souls.
It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.
Here are the 31 Summer Hygge Ideas to Nurture Yourself:
You don’t have to complete all 31 hygge summer ideas to have a great summer. This list of are only suggestions. Pick only the activities that you would like to do.
1. Make Jam
Summer means berry season. June through August, the berries are abundant and full of flavor.
Varieties of Berries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Huckleberries
- Gooseberries
- Blackberries
- Boysenberries
- Tayberries
Preserving our food used to be a necessity. Now we can do it for pure pleasure.
There’s so much satisfaction in growing your food and then letting your harvest live on the rest of the year. To create a hygge moment, invite a few friends over to experience the simple joy of canning food with you.
Refrigerator jam is a simple thing to start with. You can try my Refrigerator Tomato Jam Recipe for the next charcuterie board you make.
2. Summer Battle Field
What type of battle, you ask? It’s an organized day where everyone comes bearing their choice of fun weapons like nerf guns, buckets of water, whipped cream, silly string, water guns, or water balloons, and the war begins.
We could all use more laughter in our lives. Why not create a memorable annual event to enjoy life with family and friends?
3. Potluck Bonfire
My cousin and his wife have a standing Friday night tradition on their farm – a potluck bonfire.
They never know how many people will show up weekly, but they always know the summer night will be filled with love and laughter.
4. Hygge Summer Photographs
On the first day of summer, take a daily picture of a special moment that celebrates this time of year.
Some ideas include lighthouses, a summer garden, birds, farmer’s market, boats, sandcastles, county fairs, frozen hot chocolate, freshly painted toes in sandals, wild flowers, 4th of July, and beach balls.
Create a photo diary of each day of this magical season. You can share daily photos on Instagram or keep them for yourself for memories.
5. It’s Hammock Time!
When the warmer months start, it’s time to treat yourself to a lovely hammock set up in the corner of your yard.
Add a side table to hold your beverages, snacks, and stack of books.
It’s a great way to relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the fresh air.
6. Meteor Shower
Every August, the Perseid Meteor Shower takes place. It’s the perfect evening activity to be added to your summer bucket list.
A pickup truck outside the city offers a clear view of the starry sky. You can put an inflatable mattress in the back of the pickup and snuggle with a loved one under a cozy blanket to watch one of the most beautiful shows on earth.
The sight of shooting stars streaking across the sky never ceases to be amazing.
7. Family Reunion
Start an annual tradition of getting together with your family during the summer to reconnect and enjoy hygge moments.
Whether you plan a large family reunion or a mini-reunion, it doesn’t matter.
Instead of one person being responsible for the get-together – why not select a place you can all go to where no one has to do the work?
Whether you rent out a cabin or house or stay in a hotel – pick somewhere you will enjoy exploring together.
8. Hot Air Ballooning
If you haven’t taken a hot air balloon ride yet, what are you waiting for? Climbing to new heights will give you a different perspective on the world.
Make this outing an event by bringing a picnic you can nibble on after the big ride.
9. Homemade Ice Cream
It’s time to create your “flavor-of-the-year.” Start an annual tradition of making a new ice cream flavor that has your family’s stamp of approval.
Try different ideas until everyone agrees on the best one.
Some fun ideas are to try flavors that have meaning fore your family. How about a combination flavors of everyone’s favorite fruit?
Did you visit a county fair? If so, how about trying cotton candy flavored ice cream?
The possibilities are endless.
10. Outdoor Concert
There’s something magical about outdoor concerts. Whether you visit them during the day or night, each brings a special outing with friends or family.
I especially love the ones where you can sit on the grass and bring your own food.
My friend just took her daughter to a U2 concert to experience her favorite band in person. Her daughter wasn’t impressed with those “old guys,” but they created a memory that would last a lifetime.
Make a date with at least one concert this summer for a memory that will last a lifetime.
11. Garden Tours
Check your local listings for garden tours. Small towns let you tour a handful of private gardens for a small fee to raise money for different organizations.
Garden tours are one of my favorite activities in the summer. I love to see ideas of how people transform their outdoor space into an oasis.
Make sure you take pictures of all the ideas you like. Gardens are a simple pleasure that you can enjoy most of the year.
Frequently garden owners love to share their knowledge on growing specialty plants, and they might even give you packets of seeds so you can turn your garden into a showpiece too.
12. Lighthouse Lover
Take a trip once a year to see a lighthouse in person. There’s something so beautiful about lighthouses; they were a beacon of hope to guide loved ones home.
Some of the lighthouses you could put on your bucket list are:
- Portland Head Light, in Portland, Maine
- Big Sable Point Light is near Ludington, Michigan
- The Eldred Rock Light is a historic octagonal lighthouse located in the Haines Borough, Alaska
- Rose Island Light in Newport, Rhode Island
These lighthouses are just a small sample of the lighthouses you can explore.
13. Creating a Cozy Entrance
Make the entryway into your home something that will release all tension when you walk toward your front door.
Plant flowers that release their scent as you pass by, string fairy lights on your front porch, and add stepping stones that bring you to your destination.
14. Fountain Tour
Find out where all the public fountains are in your city and go on a fountain tour. Include local historic mansions, arboretums, and parks throughout the town.
Take photos and drop a penny and make a wish in every fountain.
15. Small Town Carnivals, Food Festivals, County Fairs, and Craft Shows
Summer is the time for all types of small-town special gatherings. Spending casual leisure time with your family is what hygge is all about.
Bring back the magic you experienced when you were a child by indulging in all your childhood favorite foods. Examples are deep-fried pickles or cheese curds. Rate your favorite foods at the local carnival or fair.
16. Cozy Picnics
Picnics and hygge go hand-in-hand. Why not make this summer the one where you experience one in all your special spots?
A picnic in the mountains, at the beach, on the front porch, in your favorite park, in a boat, or next to a river are just some ideas to choose from.
How about a sunrise breakfast? A happy hour appetizer basket with cocktails? A midnight feast for two?
You can make this a fun adventure by tapping into your creativity to find the best places to picnic near your home.
17. Fireflies Dotting the Night Sky
Fireflies are a beautiful gift from God. Finding the best place to look for fireflies, you’ll have a magical night that you’ll remember forever.
For the best places to find fireflies, check out the Firefly Conservation and Research website.
18. Fresh Herbs
Herbs are a bountiful gift from summer. Make herbal iced tea, tie bouquets of herbs together and display in small vases. Simmer fresh herbs on the stove with fruit.
I’m officially obsessed with fresh herbs. I use them in cooking, making tea, and I love how they smell outside my backdoor.
19. Hygge Summer Rain
Watching a hygge summer rainstorm is the perfect way to let the world’s stresses fade away.
The next gentle rain or even a thunderstorm is the perfect break to set aside some time for yourself and enjoy the show.
For thunderstorms, you can watch from the safety of your porch. But for gentle rain, you can always go out and dance.
20. Summer Means Flowers
The most inexpensive way to surround yourself with fresh flowers is to grow them yourself.
If you look at how gorgeous each bloom is, your environment will be enhanced visually and by smell by making sure they dot your world.
Floating flowers in bowls of water, using them in your culinary recipes (including cocktails), and placing small bouquets in every room are just some ways to surround yourself with such beauty.
Check out this tutorial on how to make a flower crown by Eco Friendly Mama.
21. Making Sandcastles
Turn to your artistic side and challenge your family and friends to a sandcastle competition.
You can create an annual theme. Take pictures of all the entrants and compare your progress year after year.
If you don’t live near a beach, you could bring in the sand for your backyard.
A fun vacation might be to see an annual sandcastle tournament. There are several events across the country.
Here are two of the annual sandcastle competitions:
Cannon Beach Oregon Sandcastle Contest in June every year
Galveston, TX Sandcastle Competition is in August
22. Host a New England-Style Clambake
Who doesn’t love a good clambake? Make it a potluck clambake to make it easier on yourself.
Typically a clambake has lobster, fish, clams, mussels, corn, and potatoes. Whether you have the clambake in your backyard or at the beach, you can turn this into a fun and memorable event.
23. Hygge Backyard Camping
Devout one weekend a year to backyard camping. Pitch tents, build a fire, and make s’mores.
You can also tell ghost stories and play flashlight tag.
24. Learn to Forage Food
There’s a food trend going on that isn’t slowing down.
Going out into the wild and foraging for food is a fun adventure that’s good for the body and soul.
You get to find edibles to use in your cooking and at the same time, nourish yourself with time out in nature.
Two Creating a Cozy Life group members went out on a rainy day, foraging for tea-making ingredients.
25. July 4th Celebration
Who doesn’t love the 4th of July? In the area where I live, we celebrate the holiday in a big way.
I don’t even need to leave my house. The party comes to our neighborhood.
This year, find a new way to celebrate this fun holiday. You can even plan a mini-vacation to experience the red, white, and blue in another neck of the woods.
July 4th celebrations are the perfect way to hygge in the summer with kids.
Tripsavvy listed the best 4th of July celebrations across the United States. You can find it here.
26. Summer Seasonal Vegetables
Celebrate each season by trying new recipes featuring vegetables at the peak of their flavor.
Some vegetables that are at their peak in summer are:
- Arugula
- Beets
- Bell pepper
- Swiss chard
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Sunchokes
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
These are just a few of the shining stars of summer. Is fresh zucchini your favorite vegetable?
Make it the centerpiece of a meal and celebrate their arrival.
27. Summer Seasonal Fruits
Let’s not forget about using fruit in our cooking and recipes.
Some fruit that are at their peak during summer are:
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Berries
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Melons
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Watermelon
These are just a few of the fruits that are in season this summer.
Let your family enjoy the season’s bounties and taste these fruits in yummy desserts, sauces, and salads.
28. Come Sail Away
Whether you go on a rowboat, kayak, or canoe – summer and boating, go perfectly together.
There’s something about being out in nature and on open water that speaks to our souls.
Whether it’s a lake or the ocean, the water is calling, and you must go at least once.
29. July is National Pickle Month
Dust off Grandma’s old recipes, and let’s make a few batches of homemade dill pickles.
The fun doesn’t have to end there. Other pickles include sweet pickles, bread and butter pickles, and Gherkin.
I have a recipe for Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles you can try. It’s a quick refrigerator pickle recipe, so it’s super easy.
Massachusetts is home to the Boston Pickle Fair in June. You can find out more about it here.
30. Treasure Hunting
No, not for gold. Flea markets are a treasure trove waiting to discover.
Grab a few friends and hit the road for your area’s best flea markets and garage sales.
Give yourselves a $5 limit and see who can find the most creative “find” of the day. For lunch, treat yourself to lunch in a tea room.
You could also plan a trip to one of the largest flea markets in the United States if you want to strike gold.
Here are some of the largest flea markets:
Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, California
Rose Bowl is not your ordinary flea market. On top of being loaded with fantastic items, you’re bound to run into a celebrity or two.
Whenever I went to this flea market when I lived in the area, I would bump into Diane Keaton. Every. Single. Time.
Rachel Ashwell, who created the Shabby Chic empire, is also always there.
Brimfield Anique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts
Brimfield is the largest antique show in the United States.
I’ve heard about this antique show for years. It’s on my bucket list.
Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market in Ohio
If you reside in the Midwest, this is the show for you. It has over 2,000 vendors to explore.
The flea market usually takes place in June and August.
31. Create a Summer Memory Jar
Make this summer about creating memories with your family and friends by exploring the world around you.
Start a summer memory jar to place one prized souvenir from each outing. By the end of the summer, your pot should be full.
We’ve reached the end of 31 Summer Hygge Ideas to Nurture Yourself. I hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Don’t forget to take a look at the Creating a Cozy Life Group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite way to add hygge to your summer is.
I created a pin for your Pinterest board below to refer back to this article.
You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you try any of these ideas, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.
More Hygge Posts You’ll Love:
Seasonal Hygge Blog Posts
- 31 Fall Hygge Activities to Rejuvenate Your Soul
- 31 Winter Hygge Ideas to Nurture Yourself
- 31 Spring Hygge Ideas to Rejuvenate Your Soul
Other Hygge Blog Posts
Deana Hovey
Monday 29th of May 2023
Love this information.
Kelly
Monday 29th of May 2023
Thank you so much Deana! I appreciate you letting me know. - Kelly
Quadira
Friday 26th of May 2023
These are some great ideas indeed, Kelly! I will put some of them on my list for the summer, see how many I can do. Especially the meteor showers!
Christine
Monday 23rd of May 2022
My summer is perfect sitting on the porch eating watermelon and corn on the cob an ham and watching my many birds at their feeders.
Kelly
Tuesday 24th of May 2022
That sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing Christine!
Shelly
Monday 14th of June 2021
My parents used to take my brothers and me fishing in the summer! We loved the bluegill and crappy panfish they would catch for our supper!
Kelly
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
That sounds so wonderful. You had wonderful parents. Kelly