Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21st, but with Memorial Day now behind us it feels like summer has already begun. If you’re like me you have mixed feelings about summertime. While I’m happy that the kids have a break from school, I cringe at the idea of them sitting around watching television and playing video games for two months! That’s why I attempt to have some fun educational activities for them to do throughout the season. A quick perusal of the internet reveals an endless variety of ideas for fun summer learning. Here are some of our favorites!
- Summer Reading Programs – Most public libraries offer summer reading programs for their younger visitors. Many times these involve a theme, prizes, and weekly activities. The CSLP’s (Collaborative Summer Library Program) 2015 summer reading theme is Heroes. Check your local library to see if they are using this theme or one of their own choosing.
- Take a Hike! – Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors with your kiddos! Whether you are exploring your own backyard or a local trail in your area, the possibilities for having fun and learning are endless. Have your child carry a small notebook with him or her and record the different creatures he or she spots. If your little one can’t write yet, have her draw a picture of her nature finds.
- Library Scavenger Hunt – I love this take on the scavenger hunt from What Do We Do All Day. Kids will have fun as they explore their local library looking for answers to each clue. Just remind them to keep the volume down as they hunt – nobody wants to get that disapproving look from the librarian. 😉
- Water Balloon Sight Words – Check out this fun water game from Royal Baloo. If your kiddos are complaining about the heat, this is a perfect way to cool off and practice sight words at the same time! You could also use this to review math facts. I’m definitely trying this out with my 6-year-old this summer!
- Red Apple Reading – We think you and your little one will love Red Apple Reading. Our award winning, online reading program is not only educational but is also fun to play. Check it out for free! You’ll want to have this affordable and entertaining educational resource this summer.
Kids love summertime! It’s a great opportunity for them to decompress after the hectic school season, but be sure to include some educational activities to keep them sharp while they are out of school. Remember, a vacation from school should never be a vacation from learning!
