Looking for something to do this summer? | The six favourite summer activities of a Long Covid Kid.
- Long Covid Kids
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
By Bethan Davies - Youth Volunteer
This year will be my 5th summer with Long Covid, a milestone that is incredibly hard to believe. The summers are long for those with chronic illnesses, especially with the temperatures rising, so I wanted to share my tried-and-true summer activities, which have kept me entertained throughout this sunny period and bring a little light to a sometimes-difficult time.
Baking
I find baking incredibly therapeutic, but it has been difficult since my diagnosis, as I have since had to cut out gluten and dairy. One of my favourite things to bake has been cookies, mainly due to how easy they are to adapt to any of my dietary requirements. I have recently started adding sprinkles to them; it makes my bakes extra whimsical and, in turn, just makes me super happy. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy to eat a super colourful and fun cookie?
Junk Journaling.
Oh, how I could talk about junk journaling for hours on end. The idea came across my social media in December 2024, and I knew I just had to take part. The aim is to make use of the ‘Junk’ in your day-to-day life, whether this be a receipt from Tesco, a bus ticket or a serviette. Throughout my Junk Journal, I also use elements such as stickers, washi tapes and colourful pens. There are honestly no rules to it; you just need to let your creative juices flow.
I started mine in January of last year, and I am currently 236 pages in. These pages are filled with book and film reviews, outings with friends, any important news from the last year, or a quiet day to myself. I share my feelings throughout my junk journal, without feeling confined to the concept of ‘Dear Diary…’
It has also been my most consistent activity over the last year, which is a marvel as I tend to jump from activity to activity. You could go as big or small as you would like; all you need is a notebook and some glue (so you can stick the junk in). Here's a fun YouTube Short with five quick ideas of things you could do to start your journal.
Lego.
Who doesn’t love a bit of Lego? I’m 21, going on 22 in January, and you’ll never catch me not having a Lego set either being built or waiting in the wings. For me, I find it incredibly stimulating for the mind, as it allows me to sit down and ponder - “does this brick actually fit onto this brick or is the instruction booklet playing tricks on me?”
I always find the Lego flowers an ideal starting point, as it gives you a decent amount of Lego for not a super steep price; however, Amazon does offer cheaper alternatives if needed. Another option if you are more into sport is possibly the Lego F1 Cars. They are small and mighty; however, there’s a great deal of Lego packed in there.
Genealogy.
As a history nerd, genealogy was right up my street. It was easy to do and could be done anywhere! (As long as you had an internet connection, of course). I primarily used Ancestry, as it not only offered a free version but also a paid version, which allowed you access to further historical documents. It was an incredibly eye-opening experience; it allowed me to learn of relatives long forgotten and ensure that this would no longer be the case. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about their family tree, even if you are just a little curious.
Colouring.
Honestly, I love a bit of colouring. It’s such a great low-energy activity that can be done from anywhere by anyone at any age. I am quite partial to a colouring session in my bedroom; the only problem is that I’ll end up getting pen ink all over me and my duvet. The Works and Amazon are a great starting point for affordable colouring books and pens. They offer a wide range of difficulties, whether this be more cartoonish or one of more intricate detail. Arts supply websites such as Crayola also offer free colouring pages to download.
Reading.
This is probably an obvious choice, but I’ll always include reading a good book on any activity list no matter the season. I tend to read books of all genres, mainly to keep my brain stimulated and learning. However, I do understand that reading does truly depend on the individual’s level of recovery. Graphic novels and audiobooks can be more accessible ways of reading. Also why not come and join in the LCK Bookhaulers book group in September - the theme is Wild for Wildlife and you can pick any book or format that fits the prompt - don't forget to book your space here.
So, that is my top 6 activities of what I’ll be doing this summer. I hope this gives you some inspiration; I’d be more than happy to discuss any of these activities in further depth in an additional blog. I hope you all have a wonderful summer, and please let us know if you try any of these activities. Don't forget to also check out our Summer T-Shirt Competition - we are looking forward to seeing your entries.
