How to Enjoy Your Favorite Cozy Hobbies in the Summer
Hi guys!
Even though I’m still relatively new to cozy hobbies and making them a regular part of my routine, I started to notice something as the weather warmed up: I was struggling to enjoy them the same way I used to. If you want to know more about which hobbies I have been trying out you can read about that here! At first, I wasn’t sure how to keep up with the cozy things I love—like reading, junk journaling, and crafting—when it felt like I should be outside soaking up the sun. But here’s what I’ve come to realize: just because it’s 85 degrees and sunny doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite cozy hobbies. Cozy is a state of mind, not a season. These activities help me slow down, recharge, and take care of myself—and that doesn’t stop just because the calendar says “summer.” I get it—trying to enjoy a cup of tea and a good book while sweating through a heatwave isn’t exactly ideal. That’s why I started looking for ways to blend the best of both worlds: embracing what I love while also enjoying the season. With just a few small seasonal tweaks, it's totally possible to keep the cozy vibes alive—flip-flops, iced coffee, and all. So if your go-to hobby is reading, crafting, painting, or just enjoying a slow, quiet moment to yourself, I’ve got some ideas to help you bring more cozy into your summer days—without breaking a sweat (well, maybe just a little).
Happy Reading & Hobbying!
Easy Swaps to make for summer
Rethink the Setting
One of the best ways to keep your cozy hobbies feeling fresh in the summer is to really just rethink the setting. Just because you usually knit curled up on the couch doesn’t mean you can’t take your project out to the porch with a cool drink and a summer breeze. Reading in the pool or junk journaling on the patio can turn your favorite indoor hobbies into something that feels seasonally perfect. Creating little summer-friendly nooks can make a big difference too. A hammock in the backyard, a breezy corner by an open window, or a comfy seat with a view can instantly make your cozy hobbies feel more connected to the current season. Just make sure you for check UV safety tips and wear sunscreen! No matter where you are, there’s always a way to make your favorite comforting hobbies work for the summer—you just have to get a little creative with the setting.
Switch Up Your Cozy Routine
Sometimes, all it takes to keep your cozy hobbies feeling right in the summer is a little shift in your routine. Try leaning into the cooler parts of the day—early mornings with a cup of iced coffee or quiet evenings when the sun starts to set. It’s the perfect time to read a chapter or two, work on a puzzle, or paint with the windows open. You can also pair your hobbies with little summer joys: think a fun playlist in the background, the scent of sunscreen still lingering after a walk, or the soft sound of cicadas in the distance. Cozy doesn’t always have to mean warm blankets and winter candles—it can also mean slow, gentle, and peaceful times of the day that give you a chance to unwind. When you make space for calm, even in the summertime buzz, you’ll find that your favorite hobbies still feel just as comforting.
Swap Hot for Cold (But Keep the Ritual)
If a steamy mug of tea or coffee is part of your cozy routine, try switching to an iced coffee or a cooling iced tea version. Iced herbal teas, cold brew with a splash of oat milk, or even a homemade lavender lemonade can feel just as soothing—and refreshing. The act of preparing your drink, settling into a comfy spot, and giving yourself a quiet moment still counts, in my mind it is almost the ritual matters more than temperature!
Connect with Others (Or Not!)
Summer for me is when I feel the best and usually I gravitate towards spending time with other people and getting out of the house a little bit more. I think that summer could be a good time to pick one of your favorite cozy hobbies and try to find a group in your area to get out of the house and enjoy those hobbies with others! This could be a book club, a knit & sip meeting, a junk journaling group or even meeting with a virtual group to dip your toes into trying something new. I have heard that libraries also sometimes do summer reading programs, here you can find summer reading programs near you! With that being said, I understand how sacred the time spent doing cozy hobbies can be and if connecting with others isn’t your vibe, that is totally okay too!
Cozy Hobbies with a Summer Twist
1. Reading Outdoors (with an iced coffee in hand) 📚
This one might seem more obvious but taking your book and creating cozy bookish vibes outside is an easy swap. If you have access to a pool, grab a floaty and get in! You can also set up a blanket under a tree, string up a hammock, or even curl up on a shady patio. Also don’t forget your favorite iced coffee or tea to get the full “cozy” vibe effect!
Need some summer recommendations?! Try these cozy-meets-summer reads:
2. Gardening or Balcony Planting 🌻
I feel like gardening is either your thing or your absolutely not into it but if you are, this is a fun summer hobby and with a few swaps it can be taken inside or outside depending on the season. For the summer, I think tending to plants is peak relaxing or for the sake of this post, cozy energy. There are so many options, you can have a full blown backyard garden, a single raised garden bed or even a windowsill herb garden. If you have an indoor herb garden, try moving this hobby outside and getting a raised garden bed or a few potted veggies. Whether you’ve got a full-blown backyard jungle or just a couple of herbs clinging to life on your kitchen windowsill, there’s something deeply satisfying (and slightly magical) about watching things grow. It’s the perfect low-stakes summer hobby: minimal sweating, maximum bragging rights when that basil finally sprouts!
3. Rainy Day TV Marathons (Still a Thing!)
I know this post is about taking this outside but in my mind, summer rainstorms = nature’s permission to binge-watch your favorite cozy TV shows. It is completely acceptable to dim the lights, grab a cozy throw blanket, and settle in for an episode (or six) of your go to comfort show. When I am setting this scene I am thinking the shows that you turn to when you just want to be able to turn your mind off! Some cozy classics that come to mind:
4. Early Morning or No-Bake Baking 🍓
If baking is your thing, don’t feel like you have to give up baking because you think it heats up the house too much. You can try baking in the earlier in the morning when it’s cooler or if you aren’t a morning person you can try out some no-bake recipes like:
5. Watercolor Painting Outdoors ☀️
For Christmas I asked for watercolors and a book to practice watercoloring just to see if it is something that I would be interested in. The book that I got was from Emily Lex Studios and the book is gorgeous! For some reason, watercoloring seems like a summer activity and it definately one that is easy to move outside to the patio while you listen to your latest audiobook or podcast. There are so many books you can buy if you are struggling to know where to begin but you could also whatever is around you as inspiration as well. Painting things like flowers, sunsets, or whatever view you are next to or your pet if you are more advanced with watercolors! Watercolors are portable, light, and perfect for slow creative afternoons.
6. Creating a Summer Scrapbook or Junk Journal 📓
I stated this hobby about a year and a half ago and I do it year round but it would be so fun to take this activity outside and soak in some sun! I like to collect junk from different things and then create pages with the junk that I collected. It is a stress free way to remember things that you have done! You can collect memories from day trips, things you find outside in nature, a menu and/or receipt from a dinner date, etc. I like to use things like washi tape, printed photos, doodles, and pressed flowers, scraps of trash, paper with a fun design on it, stickers, really anything I can get my hands on! You can put as much or as little money into this crafty idea as well which I love! Here is a video I found of junk journal ideas if you are needing inspiration for your next page!
7. Summer-Inspired Crochet Kits
This is one of those hobbies that I have bought a kit, started it, got distracted and need to pick it back up again. There are so many kits that they sell on Amazon and other craft stores that are beginner friendly and come with videos that give you step by step instructions on how to complete the project. There are so many cute ones but I will link some of my summer friendly kits here that I found. I think that sitting on a shady porch with my favorite beverage while doing a crochet kit sounds like a perfect evening!
8. Puzzle Time with a Breeze and a Playlist
I like to do puzzles on a snowy day just like the rest of us but I also like doing them in the summer with a nice ambiance YouTube video playing in the background! Just turn on a fan, turn on a video with your summer vibes, and work on a summer-themed puzzle in the cooler hours of the day (think early morning or after dinner)! This video has summer vibes and this video also would be great to have on in the background! Here are some puzzle recs!
9. Crafting with Nature 🌿
This is sort of like junk journaling or creating a scrapbook but crafting with things you find outside in your backyard would be such a fun summer cozy hobby to try out. Think things like flower pressing, creating summer-themed candles, or my absolute favorite which is painting rocks and then putting them back outside for other people to find and enjoy! This would even be one of those crafts that you could get friends involved with! You could host a mini craft night with friends! Pour some wine, get out the paint, paintbrushes, go collect some rocks and have a cozy night of rock painting on the patio!
10. Embroidery or Stitching in the Shade
This craft is so portable and easy to take with you wherever you decide to go! They sell little mini embroidery kits and you can learn how to do it (if you don’t already know) from a Youtube video! I think this is such an easy thing to bring poolside or to bring a blanket and a snack to the backyard! Once you get the hand of it you can just relax and create something really cool! Here are some options to choose from!
Even though it might not seem like it at first, cozy hobbies aren’t just for winter. With a few simple tweaks and a bit of creativity, the things you love—like reading, painting, or working on a DIY kit—can easily become part of your summer routine. Finding a shady spot outside or sitting by a breezy window can totally transform your cozy time into something that still feels relaxing, even when the sun is out. Personally, I’ve realized how important it is to make time for the things that help me slow down and recharge—especially during a season that’s often so busy and full of plans. These hobbies have become a little pocket of calm in the middle of the summer rush, and that feels really important to me. If you’ve tried cozy hobbies in a new summer setting or have favorites I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about them! Drop a comment or send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com—I'd be happy to connect and add more cozy ideas to the list!
XX
Emma