Summer Learning and Lazy Days

Summer is a time for fun, creativity, imagination, and experimentation!

But caution!! Kids are looking for a break from formal studies and a chance to be curious, adventurous, and in many cases, lazy. And that’s not a bad thing!

Parents often feel a need to fill their kid’s time with activities, camps, and new experiences, which can be wonderful and fun. But they can also be tiring and overwhelming when they’ve just spent the last 9 mos with their time filled from morning til night. Be cautious about filling their schedule non stop. Let them have downtime!

Summer is a great opportunity to let kids explore their interests in a low key way and follow their lead to see where it goes. Offer them some ideas but let them decide what they want to pursue. Let them be bored! Boredom is the beginning of imagination!

Screen time: video games can be like interactive books, look at learning possibilities of games, limit if necessary for your family

Libraries: let them choose books, don't forget audio books, check to see if they have kits to check out such as games, legos, etc.

It can be overwhelming to stock up on a ton of activity kits of the summer but I have some favorite tried and true options as a place to start:

(We have used all the items listed and recommend them)

*Science experiment kits:

-Snap Circuits are a fun electronics discovery kit and can be reused in different configurations. Many different sizes of kits. Here’s a basic set: https://amzn.to/2tnZuQW

-Volcano Science kit (though you can make your own with cardboard, paper mache, plastic tube/cup, baking soda, vinegar, and red food coloring) https://amzn.to/2M7EshA

-National Geographic Dig kits (gemstones, fossils, or shark teeth)https://amzn.to/2lkkTHe

-Clifford the Big Red Dog Young Science kits-bubbles-https://amzn.to/2M52pFZ

-Sun Print paper-use various items to make designs-leaves, cookie cutters, use pipe cleaners to shape, fun foam shapes, etc. https://amzn.to/2lPHrzY

*Science Tools:

-Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x Power LED Lighted Pocket Microscope (MM-300)

We love this one! https://amzn.to/2M1Ek31

-Bug catchers (homemade or dollar store)

-Binoculars

-Tweezers/tongs (dollar store)

-Cheap tools (dollar store)

*Unique Art Supplies:

-Melissa and Doug Scratch Art paper https://amzn.to/2MEUQqL

-Water color crayons (color than paint with water to see it transform)https://amzn.to/2liw0jS

-Wikki Stix (like pipe cleaners but waxy)https://amzn.to/2I4Atj6

I’ve found the “strewing method” to be quite successful. Choose a few of the resources, kits, books, etc that you have gathered and leave them strategically around the house. Maybe a few different books are left on the bed, on the couch, on coffee tables, in the car. Leave some of the supplies in a basket or tin on the table or counter.

You are basically leaving things out for the kids to discover on their own so they WANT to engage in the activity. Some things may get no interest now but will in a few weeks so don’t worry if they don’t draw any attention yet. Just put them away and try again in a week or 2.

(Full disclosure: Amazon links are affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you order through the link, however, the price to you is the same regardless. Thank you!)

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