Summer looks a little different this year as we all learn how to social distance AND still be able to do our favorite activities. As we enter this new normal, you may be feeling like I am – a little cautious, but ready to have some more personal interactions. And even better if those interactions get me to burn up a few of my quarantine calories!

Here are a few of my ideas of fun SSDS – that’s code for Summer Social Distance Sports.

Running/ Jogging / Walking

This is always a go to for me to get outside and spend some time. There is something awesome about looking at my watch and seeing how many steps I did in a day.

Frisbee

This is one where you can really get in a lot of movement especially if you are playing with someone who doesn’t have great accuracy when they throw a frisbee. It is so satisfying to see your accuracy improve and be able to move farther apart as your ability to throw it a long way improves.

Cornhole

Always an old favorite played in many a yard across the world. I was doing a little research on it and it is believed that it was created in Germany and originally played with rocks in the bag, instead of corn. But then someone became concerned about the safety of children throwing bags filled with rocks and changed to using corn in the bags. Corn prices rose and people quit playing the game. It appeared in the US in the 1800’s when Germans immigrated here and found there was plenty of corn.

Horseshoes

This is one of those games that gives me a little bit of a flashback to my younger days and giving the dog a headache when I took my horseshoe back to throw and the dog was there. Sorry puppy! This is one game where people need to be on the look out for heavy flying objects.

Tennis

Sorry, no doubles! This is a great way to work up a sweat and still stay apart.

Lawn Darts

If you have never played this one – you definitely need to give it a try! You have two small circles that you set apart on the yard and throw the lawn dart, trying to land inside the circle. In the original version of the game the lawn darts had metal points on them so it would stick in the ground when it landed. After a few (or lot) of injuries the game was redesigned, and the pointy lawn darts recalled.

Bicycling

Whether you are riding on the Riverwalk or out in the woods, bicycling is a great activity. And bonus points if you pack some snacks along and have a socially distanced picnic along the way.

Keep in mind that some of these activities will have you and the other person touching the same object, so be sure to wash your hands! Now let’s get out there and go have some SSDS fun!