Summer Activities That Keep Them Learning

With summer fast approaching, you may be faced with the decision to either continue schooling or take a break. Some families choose to school year-round, ensuring their child remains engaged in a learning environment. Others take advantage of the change in weather by spending more time outdoors or by traveling.

Why not do both?

Actually, one of the best perks of homeschooling is the ability to school within your own schedule. You’re the boss! If you were raised within a public school setting like I was, you had parents that worked all summer long. My breaks consisted of riding my bike and watching T.V when I got overheated. This was actually pretty boring, and not very productive!

As a homeschool parent, you can give your children a memorable summer break, so take advantage of it! Allowing yourself to lean into the flexibility of homeschooling will truly prevent burnout for everyone involved. Just about anything you do over summer can count as an educational activity.

Need some help? Check out my list of summer fun that will keep them learning, while breaking out of your usual routine!

• Day Trips To The Beach or Lake: Get some time in the sun while learning about your surrounding habitat.
  • Create a scavenger hunt for your little ones.
  • Take some time to identify local plants and animals with your older kiddos.
  • Collect shells, rocks and fallen leaves to create a collage at home afterwards.
  • Bring a jar or bottle with a lid and create your own mini habitat.
  • Pick up litter and talk about the importance of reducing waste.
  • Learn how to fish responsibly and maybe take home something home to eat later.
• Go For a Walk or Hike: Get moving and take in the surrounding sights with some friends.
  • Talk about the importance of regular exercise and brainstorm other ways you can get moving throughout the day.
  • Bring a small notebook and record local wildlife through drawings or descriptions
  • Discuss safety rules of walking out in nature
  • Take pictures along the way and use them to create an adventure book to view later.
  • Discuss how early settlers must have felt as they trekked through the wilderness for the first time.
• Visit Your Local Botanical Garden or Nursery: Pack a lunch and some sunscreen as you wander through the beautiful scenery.
  • Briefly interview a member of the team to practice your speaking skills.
  • Identify different plants and research why their important for your local environment.
  • Some gardens offer activities exclusively for kids. Ask about their educational programs.
  • Purchase a small plant from the nursery and learn how to keep it alive at home.
• Museums Are A Must– Need a break from the heat? Visit a museum of your choice and learn all about the wonders inside!
  • Take a professionally led or self-guided tour to learn about art, history, science and more!
  • Take photographs to document your trip and use them later for a “my favorite things” presentation.
  • Ask your children relative questions along the way to keep them engaged and entertained.
  • Have your kids write a small report or paragraph about an interesting fact they learned at the museum.
• Visit Local Theaters: Watch a movie or a production of your favorite play. Theater experiences are a great way to beat the heat.
  • Schedule a behind-the-scenes tour to get insider info on how everything runs smoothly.
  • Ask about their children’s programs and consider attending a drama class in the future.
  • Interview a cast member and take photographs for a scrap book.
  • Watch a summer classic and discuss the different jobs of a film maker.
• Travel To A Distant City or State: Go somewhere new, even if it’s just outside of your hometown.
  • Talk about the different modes of transportation you could take to travel. Calculate how long it would take if you rode your bike, took a train, flew in a plane, etc.
  • Make a checklist of things to do when you get there. This can serve as a “scavenger hunt” of sorts.
  • Try out a local delicacy and learn about why that food gained popularity there.
  • Are you traveling far away? How does the place you’re visiting differ from your home state? Discuss habitats and climate differences with your kiddos.

The beauty of summer time is that you experience a change in weather that invites you to leave your house. Is it necessary to continuously challenge your children to learn all day long? Of course not, but adding engaging activities will give them a summer they’ll never forget!

Above all, whatever you choose to do, make sure you focus your efforts on remaining present with your children. Not only will you create lasting memories, but you’ll appreciate taking full advantage of the summer months.