GETTIN' OFF THE COUCH

summer, originally uploaded by kt*stry.

Is the stickiness of summer causing you to be glued to your couch? Are you and your friends telling time by episodes of SWEET SIXTEEN on MTV? I think we discover some new ways for us to all enjoy the air conditioning that don't just involve TV marathons or long naps that rival how long we actually sleep each night. A lot of girls have told us that it's hard to find something to do on a teen's budget. So, Girls in the Hall, let's fight the complacency of the couch potato revolution and get off that couch and into...well, something more fun. Here are our top 10 hang out ideas to enjoy our time together without breaking the bank:

Do you think ice cream is the ultimate summer treat? We definitely do. Invite your pals over on the condition that they each bring their favorite ice cream toppings, the weirder the better. Then, you just provide the ice cream and let the creative sundae building ensue! Your bowl will be a canvas for culinary creativity.

When was the last time you sat down to play a good old boardgame, no batteries or gaming systems involved? Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Monopoly, get 'em all out. Or, have your friends each bring one and play them all one at a time. Have each person bring a prize in an unmarked bag, and then, as you go through the games, the winner gets to pick out one. Cheesier prizes make for better stories.

What is your favorite childhood movie? Dust off those DVDs from when you were little and pop 'em in. Remind yourself--and your pals--just why you heart MARRY POPPINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID or THE SANDLOT. You make love them even more the second time around. Bonus points if you get popcorn and share your favorite movie snacks.

Want to switch up your style? Have you friends come over and bring a box of items they want to donate of clothes, accessories, etc. Then, everyone can mix and match from each other's items. The necklace you want to get rid of may be your friend's favorite accessory in your wardrobe.

Host a dinner party where your friends bring the food. Tell them to each bring a recipe courtesy of your mom or dad. In asking 'rents for treasured family recipes, you just may learn something about your history (and get to eat something yummy too). Then, if you all are feeling it, share the recipes with each other. Dinner parties aren't just for adults anymore. It's affordable and delish.

Organize a volunteer-ation with your friends... Spend a weekend working with Habitat for Humanity in your area building houses, helping out at a rec center for kids or an animal shelter. You all will have a great time together and feel good helping out.

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for the weekend when your BFF could sleepover? That's the beauty of summer--you get the weekend all season long! Go back in time and invite your friends over for a slumber party. Play Girltalk (remember those fake zits?!), raid the refrigerator and tell ghost stories.

Can't afford to hit up the GAGA concert this summer? Rent a concert DVD of your favorite band, invite your friends over, and crank up the volume (maybe not too loud, so the neighbors don't freak). Singing along is a major bonus.

Who in your group has a pool? Go to the dollar store and stock up on luau items--- grass skirts and tiki drinking glasses a bonus. Pretend you are on a black sand beach in Hawaii or enjoying the surf in LA. It's nice to pretend get away. No pool? No problem. Have everyone pitch in and buy a kiddie pool--kick it old school.

Get outside. Take a game from the days of recess like kickball or four square and set up a match. You might be surprised how competitive your pals get over a silly game.