Whole Student Support

How to Keep Kids Educated and Entertained over Summer

Dr. Amy Dietzman

Keeping kids entertained during the summer months often presents a challenge for parents. Here are a few tips for keeping their brains sharp—while maintaining your own sanity. 

Tip #1: Join summer reading programs at your local library

Summer reading programs are excellent motivators to get kids reading all summer. Usually, the library provides fun ways to keep track of books read, earn prizes, use sticker charts, and keep kids engaged. Plus, when kids are young, taking them to the library is a great summer activity, which encourages a love for reading. If your child does nothing else educational all summer, reading is the most important. 

Tip #2: Use grocery shopping as a math game

Grocery shopping with kids in tow can be expensive and frustrating, but you can make it a game and teach your kids how to budget at the same time. Try challenging them to figure out prices. If we can get ten oranges for $5, how much is one orange? Try having them add up the items in the cart as you shop. We have one lemon and six apples in the cart. How many fruits do we have in total? Or, one of my personal favorites, set a timer and see if you can finish all the shopping by the buzzer. For an added challenge, ask your kids this: If we have 40 minutes to get through this entire store and there are 10 aisles, how many minutes can we spend in each aisle?

Tip #3: Make the most of quiet time

When my kids were younger and I was home in the summers with them, we had quiet time for one hour every day. The kids had to spend time alone in their rooms without devices. When they were very young, they had to stay in their beds. They could read, play with a toy, or sleep, but they had to take this quiet moment during the day. It gave me some much-needed time to recharge.

Tip #4: Invest in summer workbooks

Most bookstores carry summer workbooks by grade level. We always had a few of these for each kid (including a handwriting practice book), and I made sticker charts as they completed their daily exercises. This workbook time also corresponded with a special snack, and sometimes we even took turns with our neighbors where all the kids completed their daily activities together. Another idea is to have your kids practice their typing skills by using free online typing games. And keep it short. Thirty minutes is perfectly OK for summer work. 

Tip #5: Make chores fun and challenging

When it comes to chores, it’s a great idea for kids to pitch in and help around the house. During the summer, they can do even more. Try making it fun by setting a timer and challenging them to finish all their chores in 30 minutes. Set up a rewards system for each chore completed. And if your kids tend to put chores off or drag them out all day, make sure there is a time limit on when they must be completed. Also, consider letting kids choose their chores. Give them a list of options at the beginning of the week and have them select which ones they want to complete. Taking ownership will motivate them.

A word to the wise…

If you have multiple children, be prepared for sibling rivalry. My two boys usually fought more at the beginning of the summer. As summer progressed and they got used to being home, they tended to get along better. If you have an opportunity to give each child individualized attention or send them to different activities or friends’ houses, these are great ways for your kids to get a break from one another. Check out your community’s education organizations to see what affordable day camp options they may offer and for more ideas about fun educational activities available in your area.

 For more information about ways to engage students during the summer, check out these webinars!