Looking for fun ways to make the most of summer with your car?
Seek no further.
Let us rifle through our glove compartment and pull out some ideas for you to while away those warm summer hours.
How about starting with a bucket, hose, and some soap…
1. Wash and Wax Your Car (Yourself)
Didn’t expect this one, did you?
Cleaning your car might sound more like hard, menial work than fun.
However, with the sun shining, splashing around with soap and water can be an almost cathartic experience. Make that sunshine work to dry up all the water. It’ll also give you a chance to take a closer look at your vehicle.
Notice tiny scratches on the body that need patching?
Or maybe a few window seals are getting a little ragged?
Get loved ones involved to make it a fun family experience. And when your car is all shiny with a new coat of wax, grab a cool drink and settle back to enjoy your handiwork from the shade.
2. Go on a Road Trip
Hit the open road and explore new destinations with a summer road trip. Get your car road trip ready, pack some snacks, crank your favorite tunes, and get rolling on the asphalt with your destination in mind. Make spontaneous stops along the way; you never know what adventures you might find.
Want a more thematic road trip than the usual exploration?
You could make it a culinary road trip, stopping by different eateries for yummy treats. If you’re in wine country, you could make it a wine-tasting tour. Or, if history is your thing, trace the footsteps of history and visit historical landmarks and museums across your region of choice.
3. Stargaze from the Roof of Your Car
Escape the city lights and indulge in the wonders of the night sky with a stargazing session from the comfort of your car roof. Spread out a blanket, set up some cushions, and lay back to gaze at the twinkling stars above. See how many constellations you can recognize.
If you’re lucky enough to have a sunroof (or moonroof), you can always recline the seats, roll back the roof to expose the open sky, and enjoy the view from inside your car.
There’s nothing quite like the soft ambiance of night lit by a sky full of stars to help all the stresses melt away.
4. Have a Backseat Sleepover
Bed too warm to sleep in?
Bored of the usual nighttime routine?
Grab a blanket and some pillows, and fold down the rear seats for a backseat sleepover. Don’t worry if your neighbors cast a jaundiced eye on your “odd” sleeping arrangements the next morning. Each to his own.
Better yet, do this during a stargazing session or a short camping trip. If the rear of your car is enough, it’ll save you the trouble of pitching a tent.
5. Have a Picnic in Your Car
Fancy a picnic-on-wheels?
Turn your car into a comfy dining spot and enjoy a picnic without worrying about ants, wet ground, or unpredictable weather.
Park in a scenic location, roll down your windows, and pop open your trunk if you have a hatchback. Lay out a spread of your favorite picnic foods, and soak in the sights and sounds from the comfort of your car seat.
6. Get a Drive-In Movie Experience
If you’re in the vicinity of a drive-in movie theater, this could be a fun, nostalgic way to while away a summer evening. Load up your car with snacks, tune in to the movie’s audio through your stereo, and settle in for a moonlit cinematic adventure.
If there’s no drive-in theatre nearby, you could always turn your backyard or garage wall into one with a movie projector. Or perhaps you have a screen inside your vehicle. Drive to a comfortable spot and enjoy a movie from the backseat of your car instead.
7. Turn DIY Car Mechanic
Want to up your mechanic or bodywork skills?
Summer is a great time to pick up some DIY knowledge of car repairs and upgrades in the comfort of your own driveway.
Learn the basics of car maintenance, find tips to spruce up your car interior, or get comfortable with spray paint to give your ride a whole new look. You’ll gain the satisfaction of honing a new skill while keeping your car in top condition. Plus, money saved on labor costs is an added bonus!