Summer 2020 will be different from any other. We’ll be packing face masks along with our sunscreen and picking up our favorite takeout dinners to go instead of eating in restaurants. Lots of summertime attractions will only allow a limited number of guests on the premises at any one time, while others may not even open this summer.
Things may be different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an awesome summer. Check out these seven free apps for a truly sensational summer!
Project Noah 
Give your kids a super-fun experience this summer without leaving your backyard. This free app will act like an interactive field guide, coaching kids on the flora and fauna that can be found right outside their homes. Project Noah lets users upload photos of what they’ve found so they can learn even more about local plants and animals.
GetMyBoat 
Nothing beats a day out on the waves, but if you don’t own your own boat it can get pricey fast. Enter GetMyBoat. The free app works just like Airbnb for boats, with more than 35,000 boats, from kayaks to yachts, available for rent in 135 countries around the world.
Back2SchoolCountdown 
The back-to-school countdown takes on extra intensity this year with school being out of the classroom for nearly six months in most of the country. When your kids are driving you up the wall and it’s doubtful you’ll make it through the summer with your sanity intact, check out Back2SchoolCountdown. For just 99 cents, you can check how much time is left until the first day of school, down to the second. The app won’t magically get your kids to behave, but it’s the next best thing!
SkyGuide 
Turn an ordinary night into the extraordinary with this fantastic app. For a one-time fee of $1.99, you’ll have a complete guide to the inky night sky right inside your pocket. Learn how to spot constellations, planets and satellites by pointing your smartphone toward the sky. SkyGuide works well even in weak data signal zones, making it the perfect accessory for your camping trip.
PackPoint 
Nothing kills a vacation like pulling open your suitcase only to find you’ve forgotten your cellphone charger. Or your toothbrush. Try the free PackPoint app and never forget an essential item again. You’ll plug in your trip details, whether it’s a family road trip, a business convention or a romantic beachside getaway. The app will use your itinerary and the forecast weather at your vacation destination to draw up a packing list, chargers and toothbrushes included. PackPoint will even save your packing list to make your next trip that much easier.
GeoZilla 
If you’ve ever been to a crowded amusement park or music festival and lost sight of your friends, you need to download GeoZilla. The app lets you track your friends or family members, and keep contact with them via group chat or a check-in feature. GeoZilla takes the stress out of a trip — without draining your phone’s battery.
Your Turn: What’s your favorite summertime app? Tell us all about it in the comments!