~10 GREAT Summertime Learning Activities~

Summer school ?

Already ?   Nooooooo !
But really …Summer School can be FUN !!

Plan now and let the living be EASY !
I’m already dreaming of long, lazy mornings, extra time to read by the water, grilling hamburgers, and enjoying big slices of juicy watermelon !  If you’re like me though, even those things don’t happen with a little bit of a plan at least-  a trip to the grocery store, the library, and some fun activities to keep the kids happy.

Don’t run away!  Give plans a chance.
I promise these FUN ideas won’t take much real planning, and will only add to the easy, carefree days that we all look forward to.

So here we go…
10 GREAT Ideas for
“Summer School” !

 

1.  Get Outside !

* Geocaching
Try something new like Geocaching !   You can get started HERE.

*Old Fashioned Field Day
+Pick a day and hold a Family Olympics
  + 32 Best Backyard Games

*Scavenger Hunt
Backyard Treasure Hunt:  Minecraft Style
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
If you love scavenger hunts here’s a great list of some more ideas !

*Bust Boredom
50 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
(Print this list out…hang it on the fridge…never hear  “I’m Bored!”
this summer !)

*Go Outside and PLAY!
50 Outdoor Games to DIY This Summer
(Possibly my FAVORITE ideas!  Great for kids of ALL ages !)

*MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS !
Try these 5 Super Easy Steps to Hosting a Neighborhood Movie Night

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2.  Get Wet !

*Water Wandering through this Water Obstacle Course

*Water, Water EVERYWHERE!
 +17 Outrageously Fun Water Activities
   + 75 Water Activities
   +Fun Games to Play with Water 

* Water Sports
+Play a game of  Water Ball
  +Water Balloon Dodgeball

* Water ART!
  + Water Gun Painting
  +Water Balloon Art

*COOL Water fun!
+ 25 Fun Ice Ideas for the Summer
  + Cool Summer Games

 

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3.  Get Creative !

*Movie Madness
    +Write a play and preform it for family & friends !
    + Film your own movie and invite the neighbors for the premier night !

*Scrapbooking
 + Try making a family scrapbook together
 + Create a simple  family tree 

* Grow Green
 + Build a fairy garden together.

*Creative Writing
+Try a summertime Art Journal
    (If you need some GREAT ideas to begin, click HERE )

*Just CRAFT
* Get crafty with The Crafty Crow !

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4. Get Giving !

 

* Host a Food Drive 
(Here’s a step by step how-to)

* Make some   Birthday Boxes  or some   Blessing Bags

* Share some love with your    Neighbors
    (new twist on lemonade stand)

* Don’t forget the Elderly… 20 Ideas to Share

* 100 Acts of Kindness for Kids (and everyone else !!)

* 20 Unique Ideas for Summer Service Projects

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5.  Get Messy !

Come on!!  
You know deep down your Super Sloppy Double Dare Days are calling!
Don’t shy away!  Summertime is the best time for messy.  That’s what water hoses are good for!

* Family Fun Night Messy !
* 20 Messy Outdoor Play Ideas
* Play Fun Foam Twister
* Color Spray T’s
* Get SLIMED !

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6. Get Moving !

*Ninja Kids
  + DIY American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course
  + 35 Active Things to Do This Summer

*Kids with Moves
  + DIY Get Moving Game
  + Fun YouTube Dances For Kids to Learn

*Sporty Kids
     + 12 Sports to Play with Pool Noodles (No pool required)
+ 10 Variations to the Game of Catch

 

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7.  Get Away ! 

Whether you’re just kicking around your own town or city, taking a road trip, or jetting across the ocean to spend a week in Tahiti (I can dream!), summer is a time to EXPLORE !

*Explore Local Fun
  Free Fun at Local Retail Stores
(We’ve participated in the kids clubs at several of these stores and it has always been LOTS of fun!!  )
Here’s a few ideas:
– Apple Kids Summer Programs
– Microsoft Free Events for Kids
– Lowe’s Build & Grow
– Home Depot Weekly Workshops for Kids

* Road Trip!
Be sure to plan a stop at one (or more!) of America’s amazing National Parks!

*National Parks Junior Ranger Programs
*Printable Road Trip Games
* And some games for the big kids too ! 
*Funny post to keep you laughing if you’re on a road trip…and some super fun ideas for the kiddos!

*Summer “School” ?!?
If you’ve explored this blog very much, you’ll know that I love history!  Ancient History , American History, and all of history’s mysteries and fascinating facts just sparks my passion!
Maybe your crew prefers nature…or science… or art…or music… or even MATH!
Take some time this summer to visit science museums, historic landmarks, archeological digs, space center, etc !  These are the kinds of experiences that keep us excited about learning through a LIFETIME!
Here are just a few ideas-
*Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC  (something for everyone’s passions!)
*Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Roanoke  (can be done together in one trip)
*Kennedy Space Center

*Need more ideas?
Hip Homeschool Moms has put together a great list of field trip ideas, state by state!

*And if you’re lucky enough to be flying to Tahiti or some other wonderful place, check out this fantastic travel blog Word Traveling!  Written with homeschool families in mind, but good for anyone who loves to travel!

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8. Get Reading !

*Reading Challenges
+Barnes & Nobles Summer Reading Triathalon
  +Book Notes   (just because I thought this was awesome)
+ Expand your reading borders and try the  2016 Summer Reading Challenge

*Family Reading
Then watch the movie …make it a special themed night… you could cook related foods, play music as per the setting, or even dress up as some of the characters !!
+ Reading Scavenger Hunt
+ Start a Summer Book Club for Kids

-> If your family likes historical fiction (think choose your own adventure!), I have some great lists of books you can check out!
*Ancient Civilizations and Old Testament Book List
*Ancient Egypt Book List
*Ancient Greece Book List
*Ancient Rome Book List
* Middle Ages Book List
*Early American History Books & Resources List
*Modern American History Books & Resources List
*Great Books & Resources for American History Unit Studies
(These go along with the American Girl Unit Studies, but have TONS of other resources as well.  You will also find a CHRISTMAS section with some super fun ideas (and books!) for Holiday Homeschooling!)

*Or you might like to try a HANDS-ON  Unit Study based on some GREAT BOOKS !
Think reading and doing AND learning !

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9. Get Cooking !

* Campout Cooking
  Plan a Backyard Camping Trip….complete with COOKING !

*Cooking Around the World
  Try some of these recipes and take a culinary cruise around the globe!
   HERE and HERE are some ideas to get started

*Seasonal Snacks!
    +10 Summer Snacks for Kids to Make
    + Take a CHILL and make some icy snacks !
    + Summer Themed Snacks

 

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10. Get Growing !

* 25 Things You Can Grow From Your Kitchen Scraps  
* Start small and plant an Herb Garden
* Creative Gardens For Kids !
* 10 Unique Gardening Activities for Kids
* Make your own garden markers and watch the beauty grow !

–> Check out this Family Garden Printable Pack (Markers & Planners)

   

 

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Wishing you all a summer FULL of daisy days !!
I’d love to hear your best Summer Learning ideas too!  
Comments are always welcome !

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