The Journal Club's 2026 Summer Essentials

Well, here at The Journal Club, we think it’s safe to say that summer has finally arrived! Between the heat waves, rain showers, and questionably timed barbecues, there’s no season we love more. School kids are roaming the streets, uni students are graduating, and everyone else is trying to sneak an ice cream into their lunch break. Summer brings with it a whole host of new activities, and we’ve put together a fun bucket list of our favourites to try before it gets colder!

Read in the Park

Photo credit: @alidf54ghy on Pinterest

If you have no plans on a sunny day, there’s nothing easier than grabbing a book and a treat, and heading down to your local park. Sitting on a bench in the sun and getting lost in another world can be hours of fun. We love this list, put together by Faber&Faber, of their best summer reads. Be quick though - they’re offering 3 for 2 on any of the books listed in the article! Our favourites on the list are:

• A Violent Masterpiece, by Jordan Harper
• A New New Me, by Helen Oyeymi
• Orange Laughter, by Leone Ross
• The Gentleman From Peru, by Andre Aciman

Summer Cocktails

Photo credit: @mila_lutjens on Pinterest

There’s something about the warmer weather which makes us crave a fun drink. Alcoholic, soft, or 0%, there’s always a drink for everyone! When it’s warmer outside, one of the best ways to cool yourself down can be with a refreshing drink. Our alcoholic favs are a Hugo Spritz or a Paloma - both fruity and herbal! We’ve found a beautiful summer mocktail recipe list here, so there’s no lack of fun drinks for the teetotalers among us. 

Journal Bucket List

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Now is the perfect time to start reflecting on what you want to get up to during the summer. You can create fun little doodles of different goals, or write long lists. Try to aim for 10 to 15 different activities, with a range of price points and locations. Some goals we’ve included are:

• Eat ice cream at a local ice cream shop
• Make homemade waffles
• Host a brunch cafe with my friends
• Spend a day at the lake

Try not to worry about getting everything ticked off - you want to have ideas to fuel your summer, rather than goals you have to hit. It’s all about being relaxed, going with the flow, and enjoying summer while it’s here.

Have a Beach Day

Photo credit: @GrooveGuru1608 on Pinterest

Going to the beach is the ultimate summer activity. The combination of sun, sand, and salt is unbeatable. Grab a bunch of your nearest and dearest, throw towels and swimsuits in the car, and hop on down to your nearest beach! Whether it’s pebbly or sandy, simply being by the beach is the perfect thing to do in summer. Whether you’re in for an ice lolly, the classic fish and chips, or a full-on barbecue, the choices are endless.

We hope we’ve inspired you to make your own bucket list for summer 2026! There are so many fun and exciting activities you can try, and maybe you can bring back some old seasonal favourites as well. Creating a bucket list which is unique to you is the perfect way to explore every possibility for the upcoming months. Try to make the most of the free time without stressing about it! Summer is finally here, and we want to enjoy it with you. Feel free to tag us in any summer journaling creations!

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Cover photo credit: @kennedy_saintdenis on Pinterest