If you’re looking for fun and innovative ways to keep the education rolling this summer, check out these summer learning ideas for homeschoolers. And before you ask, these ideas can be utilized by families with children who are in public, private, and/or charter schools too!
Should I homeschool during the summer months?
This is a question most parents ask who have decided to educate their children at home. The short answer is it’s totally up to you. The long answer involves taking into consideration the style, method, and schedule you have set for your homeschool.
For Bryan and I, we have established that learning takes place ALL the time so we don’t necessarily carve out specific time to learn particular things. Instead, we have merged into a combination of lifeschooling, travelschooling, and relaxed homeschooling.
Each family will have to decide what works best for them. However, if you want my opinion… then I would say plan a little intentional learning through the summer for sure! Below are some ideas for doing just that.
Summer Learning Ideas for Homeschoolers
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Summer Reading Programs
Summer reading programs are some of the easiest activities to participate in. You can most likely find local reading programs through the public library, churches that have educational programs, or online programs like this FREE Summer Reading Program with Rabbit Trails.
Visit Nearby Attractions
Visiting local or nearby attractions can include places like the museum, zoo, National Parks, the lake, or even the beach. These typically host summer events that are kid and family friendly. You can easily enhance the learning experience giving your child a journal or printable worksheets to document what they learn. If they are older, let them take pictures and create a scrapbook.
Take Fun Classes (or Courses)
If there is something fun your child has been wanting to do or learn, consider finding a summer class or course they can take to learn it. From sewing and cooking to martial arts and pottery making, there are so many things your kids can learn both alone and as a family. Some places like Hobby Lobby host weekday craft classes and some public libraries host a summer full of classes for kids.
Plan Your Own Activities
There are so many things a family can do together that would still be considered “learning.” Often times we think of learning as something that takes place with text books and a classroom but the truth of the matter is kids are learning all the time. There are many activities that are just as educational as they are fun, such as:
- playing board games and card games
- going camping in the back yard
- doing puzzles
- having movie nights
- exploring a new walking/hiking trail
Learn on the Go
Whether you are running errands or going to the grocery store, every day plans can be useful for summer learning ideas for homeschoolers. Before becoming a full-time traveling family, we would use our vacations as special learning moments. Collecting shells on the beach and learning about fossils was much more exciting than simply reading about it in a book.
Have your new writer make the grocery list and let your new reader read it aloud and mark off things as they are put in the basket. If you have little hands on board, they can sort the groceries. Older ones can think of things to cook and create a meal plan.
Use Printable Activities
If your kids are like mine, they love printables – especially if they get to draw, color, or write. Between my shop here and my Teachers Pay Teachers Store, I have lots of resources you can use. Some favorites are:
- Life Cycle Drawing + Writing Prompts
- Farm-Themed Lapbook Activity Pack (FREE)
- Legos with Alex (Interactive eCourse for Kids)
- Move Study Activity Pack (FREE)
- Farm Animals Tangram Activity Pack
Final Thoughts
Learning through the summer months doesn’t have to be boring, mundane, or dodged altogether. Instead, use my summer learning ideas for homeschoolers to make learning low maintenance and fun for everyone! What are some ways you like to help your kids learn through the summer? Let me know in the comments below!