Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Sharp Over the Summer
With summer around the corner, I am starting to plan our activities. I dream of going on family vacations, going to the beach and spending lazy days by the pool. I seriously think I am more excited about summer than the kids! Although I really love all of the free time, I do worry about my children’s brains turning to mush with so much idle time! Today I am going to share some fun ways to keep your children sharp over the summer.
1. The library is your friend! Most local libraries have summer reading incentives for kids. My local library has “book bucks” you earn by reading 20 minutes a day that can be used to buy prizes at the library store. They also have great shows and activities for the kids all summer long. It is free entertainment and free is my favorite price!
2. Let your kids play video games, math video games that is! There are a bunch of online math games. They are a really great, fun way to practice skills. Try Math Blaster, Dragon box and ABCYA.com.
3. If you are going on a road trip, try listening to an audio book as a family. We have done this several times and have really enjoyed it!
4. Buy a new notebook at the beginning of the summer and have your kids journal about all of the fun things they are doing. Have them add pictures, ticket stubs, drawings and mementos. It will be so fun to look back and see all of the things you have done.
5. Get a pen pal. Kids love mail and this is a great way to practice those writing skills.
6. Ask them questions and get those brains thinking. I love Brain Quest! It comes in different grade levels and topics, fits in your purse and is perfect for keeping kids busy in the car, waiting room and on the airplane. (www.Brainquest.com/)
7. Host a beginning of the summer book exchange. This is great for teens and preeteens. My daughter Sky has had several. Here’s how it works, each girl brings three books they have already read. They each take a turn to give a brief over view about the books they brought. Lay all of the books out on a table and have them draw numbers. Go in that order and let them each pick one book. Do three seperate rounds having them draw numbers each time. Have some snacks, do a craft and send them all home with three new books to read over the summer.
8. How about start a book club? I love my book club so why wouldn’t my teenage daughter love one of her own?
9. Bake some cookies. Reading, following directions, measurements and fractions all in one fun activity and, you get cookies!
10. Read, Read, Read because reading is fun!
