It's Summer Vacation, Now What Do We Do?!

Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.

Summer vacation is here for some and right around the corner for many, but what do you do over summer vacation? I have two kids, one in elementary school and one in middle school. Keeping them occupied over the summer months can be challenging since their ages are so different. But I keep them on their toes all summer long.

Read

Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.

The number one way to avoid summer slide is to read! Research has shown that simply reading 4 books over the summer will help to reduce the chance of summer slide. So, make sure your kids read over the summer.

Explore the World

Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.

Do you remember going down to the creek and throwing rocks or riding your bike around the neighborhood with your friends? Let your children get out and explore the world around them, just as we did as kids. Allowing them to just go out and find out more on their own will allow them to actually draw their own conclusions about how and why things happen. This helps them as they prepare for higher level thinking skills down the road.

Play

Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.

Unstructured play helps children as they learn as well. They make their own world and work things out on their own. My son still loves to make up new worlds with his Legos. Many times I find him hanging out and playing Legos with his minifigures. My daughter loves playing with her dolls. I hear her all day making them go to bed or school. She even takes them on excursions through the house.

And get out and play with your kids! My friend made this awesome Yardzee game for the family. We love getting this out on a summer day to dig into some math skills.
Yardzee game is perfect for outdoor play!


Go on Excursions

You don't have to go far to find something new to learn. We live in the mountains, and we just go out and take short hikes. If you live near water, you can go out and see what's there. Swim in it and enjoy it. Go to the farmer's market in your area and buy some fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn the history of your area together. Just get out and enjoy every moment of the learning.

Relax and Relish the Moments

Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.

Your kids are only young once. Enjoy every minute with them! That's my plan for this summer, so if you don't see much of me, that's why. I do plan to keep up with my Book Talk Thursday spot, but I want to take time to enjoy my kids before they are all grown up.

Enjoy your summer, every moment of it!

Pin this to share your summer vacation secrets with the world!
Summer can be fun, but kids can learn so much just  by enjoying every minute of it.



1 comment

  1. What great reminders of what's important during the summer months. Yardzee looks like so much fun!! Thanks for sharing! ~Melissa

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