1. Get lost in a puzzle book
How nice it is to have two whole months without difficult assignments and lectures. However, in case your brain starts craving a bit of a challenge again, why not pick up a puzzle book? And forget those old-fashioned puzzle books your grandparents used to have. These days, there are loads of fun and creative options. Try Murdle, for example, where you solve challenging murder mysteries like a real detective. Or Murdoku, a combination of sudoku and crime-solving. Perfect for a day in the garden or on the balcony!
2. Get creative
You really don’t need to be an artist to make something fun this summer. On Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok, you’ll find all sorts of fun DIY projects. Paint your own tote bag or bookmark, make your own key ring, or decorate a photo frame with shells, for example. You can find cheap materials in shops like Action, Wibra, or the thrift store!
3. Go second-hand shopping
Speaking of thrift stores, they are a great place to spend a few hours, and summer is the perfect time to explore new shops in the area. Check which thrift stores are nearby, hop on your bike and turn it into a fun day trip! Another great idea: visit another city and go to a vintage market there. Think, for example, of the IJ-Hallen in Amsterdam or the Betonnerie in Utrecht. Would you rather stay closer to home? On 15 and 16 August, the longest flea market in the Netherlands will take place at Vliegveld Twenthe!
4. Read a book or magazine
Pro tip: you can find loads of great books and magazines at the thrift store. Found a good book? Then settle down in the garden, on the balcony, or in a park, take a nice drink and some snacks with you, and settle in for a relaxing afternoon. Not much of a reader? Summer holidays are actually the perfect time to give it a try. Chances are that now, without stress or distractions, you’ll be able to get completely absorbed in a good story. Start with a magazine or a shorter book, and before you know it, you'll be hooked.
5. Watch a film at an open-air cinema
This summer, open-air cinemas are being organised in many different places. Are you staying in Enschede this holiday? Then you can enjoy an open-air film in the garden of Craft District Enschede, or in the Stadstuin in Oldenzaal. The perfect solo activity for a warm summer evening: after all, you won’t be chatting anyway 😉.
6. Visit a pick-your-own garden
Summer is the perfect time to visit a pick-your-own garden. There are several pick-your-own gardens in Twente where you can pick your own flowers, vegetables and fruit. Places such as Plantaardige Verleiding, 't Düvelshofke, De Forelderij and Landgoedwinkel Reef are easily accessible by public transport or a nice bike ride. You will enjoy an afternoon in the fresh air and come home with a beautiful bunch of flowers or some delicious fresh fruit!
7. Try out new recipes
During the academic year, cooking often becomes a matter of getting something easy on the table as quickly as possible. Now that you have vacation, though, you finally have a bit more time and energy to experiment with new recipes. Have a look at cooking websites or social media for new recipes and learn how to make the perfect lasagne, quiche or curry! Or you could finally figure out how to make the perfect soup, pasta pesto or tray bake!
Have you found some great recipes? Why not turn them into your own DIY recipe book! Write down your recipes or print them out, add photos and decorate the pages. Not into crafting? Then save them in a recipe app so you’ll have them to hand next academic year.
8. Get active outdoors
What’s better than spending some time outside during summer? When the weather’s nice, getting active is so much more fun! Go for a long walk or bike ride around the area, dust off your roller skates or running shoes, or go for a swim (or just chill) at Rutbeek or Hulsbeek. Whether you’re going for an intense workout or just want to get some fresh air, spending some time outdoors will always do you good!
9. Give your plants some love
That one sad-looking, brown plant, or that cactus growing out of its pot? They could use a bit of love. Trim off the dead leaves, repot plants that no longer fit in their pots, and give them a nice spot again (and a bit of water 😉). Make a fun afternoon out of it by visiting a garden centre for some new plants, or browsing the thrift store for affordable plant pots. Another great idea: grow a pot of basil, thyme, mint, or other herbs for cooking. That way, you’ll not only have a fresh, green room, but also fresh herbs for all your new recipes! Looking for more tips? Then read this ultimate plant guide for students.
10. Make a photo book
You’ve probably got hundreds of great photos from the past year on your phone. It’d be a shame if they just disappeared into a folder somewhere. Making your own photo book is a fun project and will keep you busy for a while over the holidays. Create a photo book online, or make a scrapbook by hand and add some nice captions and drawings. Pro tip: at FreePrints, you can order 45 photo prints for free every month, and you only pay the delivery costs.
Hopefully, these activities will keep you entertained over the coming weeks! Still looking for more solo activities? Then read our other solo date suggestions as well.
