Summer is just about here, how exciting! With a long break on the horizon, it’s the perfect opportunity to brainstorm ways to keep young children and students engaged in reading and learning while still enjoying themselves. To help, we’ve curated a list of enjoyable activities to explore this summer!
Week 1: Outer Space Voyages
- Read Meet the Planets by John McGranaghan
- Brush up on solar system facts with NASA
- Learn about the tremendous contribution NASA has made in the last 50 years in Thanks, NASA!
- Write your own space adventure story
- Explore our solar system and the Milky Way in Astronomy: Space Systems
- Discover the impact of rockets, satellites and space shuttles in The 12 Biggest Breakthroughs in Space Technology
Week 2: Historical Journeys
- Learn about Early Presidents and Social Reformers
- Get inspired by Thomas Edison’s fascinating life in Thomas Edison: Lighting a Revolution
- Take a trip in time with National Geographic Kids
- Visit some of history’s most popular deserted cities in History’s Deserted Cities and Places
- Browse a collection of World History videos and interactive activities from PBS
- Discover how a child prodigy in Chinese history, used problem-solving skills to weigh an elephant without a modern scale in Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant
Week 3: Geography Quests
- Explore maps, compasses, grid coordinates and map ratios in Looking at Maps
- Create your own map of your neighborhood with PBS
- Take a trip around the world to discover the variety of Earth’s landforms in This Land is Your Land
- Follow Mayantio on his journey through the rainforest to learn more about the biome in Mayanito’s New Friends
- Learn about the geographic characteristics of different regions of the United States in the Geography of the United States
- Virtually visit the mysterious places that you read about, such as the Grand Canyon or Washington D.C.
Week 4: Computer and Coding Conquests
- Explore the world of computer science with code.org
- Discover the unseen processes inside computing technology in Codes and Computers
- Create your own game with Microsoft’s MakeCode Arcade
- See how computers can help with everyday tasks in Helpful Computers
Week 5: Active Adventures
- Plan a fun scavenger hunt to get children and students running around outside
- Learn about the human body structures that allow us to play sports in Human Senses and Movement
- Read all about what it takes to be a pro soccer player
- Stay physically active with the NFL and American Heart Association
- Discover what host cities must do to host the Olympics in Hosting the Olympic Summer Games then watch the Summer Olympics in Paris
- Try out a new sport like softball, tennis, or bowling
Week 6: Math in Everyday Life
- Learn all about how rollercoasters are made in Engineering Marvels: Roller Coasters: Dividing Fractions then take a trip to ride a rollercoaster!
- Follow a young boy as he recognizes all of the “odd” things about his day in One Odd Day
- Count your way down the football field in Down the Field 10, 20, 30
- Go (virtually) play at the Math Playground and brush up on math skills
- Strengthen division skills while also learning about comics in Fun and Games: Comic Conventions
- Take a walk outside and find symmetry in nature with the University of Kansas Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute
Week 7: Engineering Expeditions
- Watch Design Squad from PBS to see real students engineer real projects
- Learn what it takes to build a sandcastle before heading to the beach to build one of your own
- Discover how crayons are made in ‘Making Crayons‘ then try building your own coloring tool
- Learn about the countless feats and failures in the world of engineering with Engineering: Feats and Failures
- Explore the engineering design behind the technologies that protect our environment in Using Natural Resources for Energy
- Consider visiting a children’s museum, such as the National Children’s Museum and take a swing at some hands-on engineering activities
Week 8: Animal Explorations
- Take a virtual trip to the San Diego Zoo or the Bronx Zoo
- Follow along with a group of friends as they go on an African Safari in Ben and Becky on an African Safari
- Play around with your pet by reading to them or teaching them a new trick like Hills’ Pet Food suggests to do
- Chill out with A Cool Summer Tail and discover how animals stay cool in the summer
- Discover more about popular household pups like golden retrievers or yorkshire terriers
- Learn what animals need to survive throughout all seasons of the year in the Needs of Plants and Animals
