Summer Learning Ideas (That Aren’t Just Boring Worksheets)
Summer vacation is often viewed as a time to relax, unwind, and take a break from academic studies. However, research has shown that extended periods of time away from learning can lead to a phenomenon known as the “summer slide,” where students can lose months of academic progress. However, that doesn’t mean they need to spend their days doing boring worksheets or endless reading assignments. With a little creativity and planning, there are plenty of fun and engaging ways to keep kids excited about summer learning!
Explore the great outdoors
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore nature. Take your kids on a hike, go camping, or visit a national park. Not only will they learn about the environment and different ecosystems, but they’ll also get plenty of fresh air and exercise. You can also encourage them to keep a nature journal to document their findings and observations to practice spelling, writing, and organizational skills.
Get cooking
Cooking is a great way to teach kids about math, science, and nutrition. Have them help plan and prepare meals, teach them about portion sizes and measuring ingredients, and talk to them about the different nutrients in different foods. Cooking is chemistry, and there are a lot of math, science, and life skills to be learned in the kitchen! You can also have them document what they do through a “blog,” videos, or making a recipe book with their favorite dishes.
Start a book club
Reading is an essential skill, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Start a book club with your kids and their friends, or even just within your family. Each week, choose a book to read and discuss together. You can also incorporate fun activities related to the book, such as making a craft or cooking a recipe mentioned in the story.
Click here to learn more benefits of doing summer reading as a family >>
Try new hobbies
Summer is a great time to try out new hobbies and activities. Encourage your kids to explore their interests and try something new. Whether it’s painting, photography, or learning a new instrument, they’ll be expanding their horizons and building new skills.
Volunteer in the community
Volunteering is a great way for kids to learn about the needs of their community and make a positive impact. Look for local volunteer opportunities, such as helping out at a food bank, cleaning up a park, or reading to elderly residents at a nursing home. Your kids will learn the value of giving back and will feel good about making a difference while learning in real-life environments.
Get creative
Art and creativity are important for developing problem-solving skills and encouraging self-expression. Set up an art station in your home with different materials, such as paint, clay, and construction paper. Encourage your kids to experiment and create their own projects, or give them specific prompts to get their creativity flowing.
Spend the summer building brain skills
Brain training is not the same as tutoring. It’s not re-delivering dry information. It’s not teaching content that kids *should* have learned in school. Instead, it’s a process of strengthening the skills your brain uses to think, learn, and remember. Building these skills over the summer can set your child up for greater confidence and success next year—no worksheets in sight!
Whether you have a reluctant reader, a kid who just can’t focus, or a teen struggling with confidence and comprehension as school gets more complex, we are here to help. Our programs are a great summer learning tool to help maintain momentum (and even gain some ground) in a short amount of time!
