5 Summer Learning Activities for Kids

Today is the first day of summer break, and I have created a list of 5 summer learning activities for kids. I know many of you are excited that you guys made it through virtual school from this pandemic. In our home, we still want somewhat of an educational schedule for Daniel throughout summer. I do want to keep it light and fun, but also help him have some structure. We limit electronic time to one hour a day on the week days and two hours a day on the weekends, so he needs healthy activities that can help fill his day. Check out our video page to watch Daniel and Robert’s video on electronic time.

The activities below can be modified to suit any age group. These ideas are free or inexpensive. Here are 5 summer learning activities for kids:

1. Painting with $1 Supplies

I absolutely love these supplies from Dollar Tree for only $1 each:
3-pack 4×6 canvases
2-pack 5×7 canvases
6-pack primary color paint
6-pack glitter paint (They are pretty translucent, so I am not a fan of these as much)
Pack of paint brushes
Plastic tablecover
Paper plates

I picked up a few things from Michael’s as well that were $1 or less:
4×6 unfinished frame
Unfinished small truck

I also picked up a ceramic mug that comes wit a paint kit for under $3 at Michael’s with a coupon.

Not only is painting therapeutic and a stress relief, but you can use it as a teaching moment. I was teaching my son about abstract art today. I used colors that I love representing my bold personality and the season of summer. He also learned about mixing colors. You can look up color mixing images on Google to help your kids have a visual.

2. Cooking with Your Kids

Daniel and I love watching Masterchef Junior and Chopped. After watching kids his age cook, it sparked an interest. I love cooking, so as a mom, I figured this would be a good way for us to bond. I will admit, at first it was a little challenging because messes happen quite often lol. Messes can be cleaned up though,so all is well! Cooking gives a child a sense that they have accomplished something and creates beautiful memories. One of our specialties together is homemade flour tortillas. Daniel helps me measure out ingredients and pours them in. I make the masa. He likes to either roll out the tortillas or cook them on our griddle.

You can use cooking as a math activity. This teaches them measurements and even how to divide fractions (cutting a recipe in half or even doubling it). They were learning dividing fractions in school before the school year ended, so this is a fun example for him to use his skills.

3. Virtual Zoo Home Safari

The Cincinnati Zoo has done such a wonderful job during quarantine with zoo keepers going live teaching about a different animal each day. They are only going live Tuesdays and Thursdays on their Facebook page at 3PM EST from now on, but you can still have your children watch all of their prerecorded videos. Daniel LOVES the Cincinnati Zoo and will even watch the videos with his grandma on Facetime. During the video and after she asks him questions about the animals. She had the great idea of developing a Google Slide presentation that she and him can write facts they learned about different animals. I love how they have bonded through this. If he watches the videos independently, sometimes I will have him take notes and present about a certain animal to Robert and me.

4. Puzzles

This is great to do together or even for your child to do on their own. Putting together puzzles helps children develop patience, memory skills, and a sense of accomplishment. I find it very therapeutic as well. Puzzles are selling off the shelves right now. I have found puzzles in store at Hobby Lobby. Michael’s only had one or two. My mother-in-law ordered Daniel one from Springbok online. (These are such good quality puzzles!)

5. Fun Science Project

Science projects can be fun, but especially when they are not done for a grade. Daniel and I created our own pine cone project inspired by a walk outside one day with two closed pine cones. We came home and he put one pine cone in the sunlight on his window sill and the other “in the shade” in a box with the lid shut. He developed his hypothesis and did a little research on pinecones. We took pictures before, during, and after. He then put in his information in a Google Slide presentation.

Our next project will be the egg and vinegar experiment! Dissolving an egg shell with vinegar.

I hope these 5 summer learning activity ideas have been helpful! Let us know in the comments how it goes if you decide to try any of the above.