Even though most students are on a break from school, it is still important to incorporate learning into their summer fun.

To do that, it should be interactive, engaging, and based on the child’s interests. Learning doesn’t have to take a lot of time, money, or set up.

Here are some ideas to incorporate summer learning into activities you may already be doing this summer.

Find a Book for Your Activity

If you are heading to the zoo, make sure to read books about animals. Do you have a trip planned to a lake, pool, or beach? Read books that take place in or on the water. Reading about an activity can spark wonder and curiosity. Children will know what to expect and for what to look. They can have questions ready and look for the answers.

Reading helps with a child’s academic success by enhancing their vocabulary and language skills, improving their critical thinking and concentration, growing their emotional intelligence and social development, and increasing bonding and family time.

There are books that can be tied to so many activities.

Plant a Garden

Growing a garden together is a great way to spend time with your children. You don’t need a lot of space; window gardens are wonderful.

Children will learn about the life cycle of a plant and soil science. They will have opportunities to measure, sort, and track their plant progress. They will be more intrigued to try new fruits and vegetables if they have grown them themselves, creating healthy eating habits.

Bonus tip: pick out flowers and vegetables that will grow quickly, so that children can see fast progress and stay involved.

Make Road Trips Educational

Make car rides more fun by playing games in the car.

Children can count certain objects or find all the letters of the alphabet, shapes, or colors on signs out of their car window.

Time in the car is also a great time to listen to audio books. Make sure to discuss the story as a family, such as what you predict might happen next, your favorite part, or of whom characters in the story remind you.

If your trip is more than a day trip, journal each day. Make sure to date each journal entry and write, draw, or list the fun things that happened that day. This is a great way

to remember all the fun when your memory starts to fade. Journaling is a wonderful activity that can be incorporated into the bedtime routine.

These simple activities can reinforce math and literacy skills children learn in school.

Take a Nature Walk

Go and explore the outdoors!

Head to your backyard or a local park and observe and discuss different plants, animals, and ecosystems that you find. Children can use their senses to hear different sounds of nature, feel the texture of plants, and smell outdoor scents. Create a nature scavenger hunt or encourage your children to create a nature journal like a real scientist.

Physical activity has positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration and reduced disruptive behavior.

Make sure everyone is wearing appropriate clothing, is properly hydrated, and engages in sun protection measures.

Have a Family Game Night

Children can engage in active learning and cover many academic skills while playing games.

Many board games, like “Monopoly Jr.” and “Chutes and Ladders,” include math skills and number facts like counting, addition, and subtraction. “Scrabble” can improve spelling and vocabulary skills.

Most board and card games help develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, while helping children gain social skills, such as turn-taking and cooperation.

These games provide a structured environment for children to learn how to interact with others, follow rules, and graciously handle both winning and losing all while bonding with their family and friends.

Invite the Kids into the Kitchen

Baking and cooking are great ways to learn math skills like counting, fractions, multiplication, and division.

Once you have mastered a favorite recipe, challenge your child by having them double it or cut it in half.

Children will be exposed to new vocabulary, such as “whisk,” “simmer,” or “sift,” while helping in the kitchen. Children will also practice patience and following directions to get the best product. Younger children will also improve their fine motor skills while rolling dough, cutting, and measuring.

Children will gain a sense of self-confidence when they taste their final product. With a yummy treat to celebrate learning, everybody wins.

Keeping kids learning this summer does not need to take a lot of your time or feel like a chore.

By incorporating these educational aspects into activities you are already planning, your children will stay school ready for the fall.

Enjoy the summer together has a family!

For more information on summer learning activities or assistance with school medical plans or accommodations, you can contact the WVU Medicine Children’s School Intervention Program at 304-554-8559.