With the long, cold winter coming to an end, and with spring closer than ever, temperatures are on the rise. This opens up opportunities to go outside and enjoy the sun. Here are four ideas to get you started.

One of the best activities to do when the weather gets warm is to play sports with your friends. Get a group of friends out one day, go to any field near you and get a game of pickup basketball or football going. “Whenever the weather gets nice outside, me and my friends go out and play a big pickup basketball game. It’s a lot of fun and I recommend trying it especially if you have a big group of people,” senior Dylan Yoon said.

With spring starting to come around, the plants and trees are starting to sprout their little buds. It’s a great time to get out in nature and see all the wonders it has to offer. The best way to do this would be to take a hike. Hills and trails around here make a great trip for anyone looking for an adventure. Popular trails in Maryland are the Billy Goat Trail, the Appalachian Trail and Sugarloaf Mountain. If you have free time, take a look at one of these trails. You won’t regret it.

Another great activity is a bike ride. It doesn’t matter if you have a group of friends with you or if you’re by yourself, just go for a ride. Bike riding allows you to enjoy the sun and exercise while you’re doing it. “I’ve been waiting forever for the weather to get warm enough for me to go on a bike ride. One of my favorite things to do is to go on a bike ride to lunch with my dad,” junior Maya Gottesman said.

A picnic is a great way to relax and enjoy the sunlight. Pack a nice lunch, grab a couple of friends, find a nice area, and you’re all set for an awesome picnic. Picnics combine two of the best things in the world: food and nature. “One of my favorite activities to do over the summer is to go for a picnic. With the weather getting warmer, I am looking forward to going on a picnic with a few friends soon,” junior Carli Katz said.

No matter what the activity is, just make sure you are getting out and enjoying that warm sunlight. After a long, cold winter being stuck inside, it’s nice to be able to get outside and have fun.