LIFE

Summer's here and more and more opportunities to hang with the besties are opening up. Have trouble finding what to do? We got you covered. Here's a step-by-step schedule from morning to night for the *ultimate* BFF bonding weekend.

Rise and shine!

Go to the library and pick out books for each other

@paperfury

One of the best feelings in the world is picking out something you think your pal would like! Get your day started by taking a trip to your local library and choosing brand-new books for each other. Plus? It's *totally* free—no cash required.

Make your own T-shirts and decorate them

@jessyd_designs

Everyone loves a unique outfit—especially when it features a DIY piece. Pick up some plain white tees and use paint, glitter, tie-dye and more to make them your own. You can even create handprint tees by covering your hands in your fave paint colors and stamping them all over your shirt.

Create paintings of each other

Pinterest

While your art supplies are still out, take a shot at painting (or drawing) each other. Although painting people can seem daunting, it doesn't have to be a perfect Leonardo da Vinci Louvre-worthy masterpiece. Tap deep inside and just pour all your BFF love on the page, letting it take *whatever* form it chooses to. Bonus: For the ultimate reveal of what the two of you look like in each other's eyes, don't let each other see the paintings until the end!

Munch on some brunch

Make gourmet pancakes or grilled cheese

@kaffbelfast

Nothing's better than a classic, crispy grilled cheese...well, except a gourmet grilled cheese. Pick out fancy bread (try sourdough or Italian!) and get creative with *all* the toppings, from melty mozzarella to heirloom tomatoes. Not your thing? Jazz up plain pancakes with piles of fresh fruit, real maple syrup or M&Ms. Then, pack up your meal and head to the park for a midday picnic.

Make up backstories for the people you see

@maliabakermsb

While you're at the park, indulge in a little bit of people-watching—hey, it's healthy in small doses! Plus, it's the perfect low-key activity to soak up all the goodness of plain old everyday life with a definitely-not-plain old everyday best friend. To up the game and milk your creative juices at the same time, create backstories for the people passing you by. Are they a doctor? A disgraced lawyer? A dolphin trainer? An evil sorcerer straight out the pages of a fairy tale? It's all up to you.  

Follow the alphabet outside

@jilliansheaspaeder

Everybody loves a good scavenger hunt and what better way to do it than with the *perfect* partner-in-crime? Start your adventure at a cafe, restaurant, shop or anything with a sign that starts with the letter "A." Snap a quick pic and find a different place starting with the letter "B," then "C," and so on. Not only will you hit that 10,000 steps marker, but you'll also have a super cute 26-pic story to cherish forever.

After-hours adventures

Write a TV theme song about your lives 

@amournola

Ever dreamed of having a sitcom *all* about you and your BFF? Now's your chance! Try penning your dream TV theme song, including snippets about your personalities and your fave inside jokes. If you're feeling stuck, take inspo from your favorite TV show themes, like "I'll Be There For You" from Friends or "Leave it All To Me" from iCarly. If you're a super visual person, you can even plan out what the intro montage would look like!

Recreate moments from your favorite movies

@elizabethburgiphotography

This is your chance to make yourself the main character in your life. Choose an iconic scene from your fave flick and make it happen IRL. You can *finally* learn the "We're All In This Together" dance from HSM, run through a field of flowers like in Beauty and the Beast or The Sound of Music, stage an elaborate lightsaber duel like in Star Wars and more! Plus, it would make an amazingly adorable Instagram or TikTok.

Set up camp

@sophiatali

Ahhh, those exciting camp vibes are *everything,* and you can totally recreate them at home. If you have a backyard, figure out how to pitch a tent outside (without parents ofc, we love a challenge) and if you don't have a backyard, do it in the basement or a big room, then load your sleeping bags in. Grab a bag of marshmallows and make s'mores to snack on while you try to spook the pants off each other around the fire with your best scary stories. If you can't build a campfire, just use a lantern—still delivers on the glowy, spooky front. 

Make a time capsule

Netflix

You've seen it in movies all the time, so why not give it a spin for yourselves? Find a box, bag, envelope or any packaging to store any sentimental trinkets to uncover later on. It can be anything from a friendship bracelet to a page of your favorite book to a letter you write to your future self. If you want to be a little more *extra,* make multiple time capsules and open them at different times—one in a year, one in 5 years and one in 10. Either way, future-you will find the experience absolutely magical.

Sweet dreams!

All GIFs via GIPHY

Did you take any cute BFF pics? Send them over on Instagram @girlslifemag!

by Ariane Faro and Sophia Zhang | 6/18/2021