Because you deserve more than a picnic: Seven park day activities

It’s a blazing summer afternoon, and while collapsing into post-exam doom-scrolling has been a necessary ritual, it’s officially time to emerge from the digital haze and reconnect with nature, with friends, and maybe even with your sense of play. Whether you’re low on ideas or tired of the same old picnic, here are seven fresh ways to make the most of your next park day, with no soggy sandwiches or awkward frisbee tosses required.

1. Blast some tunes and enjoy the sun
Grab a speaker and build a playlist together, whatever you and your friends are feeling: the chill, hype, or nostalgia playlist. Enjoy feeling present and exploring each other’s music tastes while basking in the sun and resting your eyes. Paired with some snacks and sun caps, it sounds serene and relaxing, right? However, if you had something more active in mind, perhaps this next activity will call out to you.

You don’t need a Monet-level skill set here. Sketch each other and unveil your ‘masterpieces’ — bonus points for accidental Picasso energy

2. Obliterate your friends in a ‘friendly’ water fight!
This is an easy and thrilling activity for those particularly swelteringly hot days. Cool yourselves down with some water guns and water balloons (or an easy alternative of wet, clean sponges and buckets). Few things unleash your inner child like the thrill of being ambushed with freezing water — it sounds like the perfect way to beat the heat!

3. Unleash your inner creative spirit
You don’t need a Monet-level skill set here. Sketch each other and unveil your ‘masterpieces’ — bonus points for accidental Picasso energy — or paint the scenery around you. For a twist, swap artworks every 15–20 minutes and build a collaborative canvas. Best of all? You get to take home a visual memory of the day.

4. Games
Pack a deck of cards, Uno, or some board games and get competitive spirits going while sprawled around on lush fields — it’s always more exciting when a prize or embarrassing forfeit is involved! Forgot the games? No biggie. There is a wide selection of mobile phone apps available to download for group games such as ‘Heads up!’, so there are still options to up the stakes and get involved in a games day!

Whether it’s a duo, trio, or a bigger group, there are photo ideas to inspire everyone!

5. Night sky stargazing
A simple one, but a classic nonetheless. Sometimes the outdoors can be better appreciated in the cool serenity of the nighttime. What better time than the summer to focus on being present and noticing details in the sky and the clouds that otherwise go unnoticed? You would also be making the most of those warm, summer nights we so rarely get to experience in this country.

6. Photo challenges
A park is the perfect setting to try out funny photo concepts and work on some classic team-building activities, such as a photo challenge! Whether it’s a duo, trio, or a bigger group, there are photo ideas to inspire everyone! My personal favourite would be a human pyramid, which is perfect to try on the soft grass.

7. Themed picnics
Picnics are the classic ‘go-to’ when we think of spending time in the park with friends. So, how can we jazz it up if it’s perhaps a bit ‘done before’? You could create a themed picnic! Perhaps you could decide on a cuisine, or a particular colour scheme that all food must adhere to. Alternatively, you and your friends could come up with more whimsical and silly themes, such as drinks inspired by your personality or snacks with unusual packaging to taste-test together. The possibilities are endless if you’re the type who shows up for the food. I know I am.