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Summer is a time for family adventures, backyard barbecues, and soaking up sunshine, but it doesn’t have to be a break from learning. In fact, studies show that children can lose a significant portion of what they learned during the school year over the summer months—a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.” But the good news? With a little creativity, learning can become a natural and even fun part of your summer routine.
Here are five simple and effective ways to encourage summer learning, so your kids stay sharp, curious, and ready for the next school year.
1. Sign Up for a Summer Reading Challenge
Summer reading is a powerful way to keep kids’ minds sharp, and joining a reading challenge adds a layer of motivation and fun. Most libraries offer a free summer reading program where kids can track books, earn prizes, and take part in themed events. Check out our full Guide to Summer Reading Programs in the Sioux Falls Area.
Let your child choose what to read—even if it’s comics, magazines, or books about weird animals. All reading counts, and the goal is to make it fun and consistent. If you have a reluctant reader, try audiobooks during car rides or while building with blocks or coloring. Reading just 15–20 minutes a day helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination.
2. Explore the World with Everyday Adventures
You don’t need to travel far to spark new learning. Summer is full of opportunities to explore, ask questions, and try new things—even on your regular outings.
Try these ideas:
- At the farmer’s market, talk about where fruits and vegetables come from, or let your child help count change at the checkout.
- On a nature walk, collect interesting leaves, search for animal tracks, or use a free plant ID app to learn about local species.
- We love the laminated foldable guides form Waterfold Press. Check out the South Dakota Trees and Wildflower guide.
- At a museum or zoo, encourage your child to read the signs out loud, ask questions, and point out interesting facts. Depending on the age of your children, you can give them a task at places like a zoo. At the start of the outing, let them know that they have to share their three favorite facts at the end!
Look for chances to involve your child in conversations, planning, and observations. These real-world experiences build background knowledge, vocabulary, and critical thinking—all without sitting at a desk.
3. Play and Learn with Hands-On Projects
Summer is the perfect time to take learning off the page and into your hands. Whether indoors or outside, hands-on projects keep kids thinking, building, and problem-solving without feeling like school.
Try things like:
- STEM Challenges: Build a boat out of foil and see how many coins it can hold before it sinks. Try a simple baking soda volcano or balloon-powered car.
- If you want to make things really easy for yourself, get something like this National Geographic Kids Science Kit!
- Water Play with Purpose: Use measuring cups and plastic bins to compare volume, practice pouring, or explore floating and sinking.
- Backyard Builders: Create an obstacle course, build a mini fort, or set up a simple pulley with a bucket and rope for some physics fun.
Even cooking can be educational—measuring ingredients, reading a recipe, or doubling a recipe teaches math and sequencing. Bonus: you get to eat your experiment!
4. Choose Smart Screen Time
Let’s face it—screens are part of summer. But not all screen time is created equal. A little planning can turn device use into something that fuels your child’s interests or reinforces skills.
A few screen-smart ideas:
- Educational Apps: Try games like Prodigy (math), Khan Academy Kids, or codeSpark Academy to build skills in a playful way.
- Watch and Wonder: Stream documentaries or shows that spark curiosity—like Wild Kratts, Ada Twist, Scientist, or anything from National Geographic Kids.
- Interactive Learning: If your child loves a certain topic (dinosaurs, space, art), help them explore it through videos, websites, or virtual museum tours.
Check out all of our favorite educational apps here!
Balance screen time with hands-on or outdoor play, and use digital tools as a launchpad for real-world learning. If your child watches a cooking show or science experiment video, challenge them to recreate it!
5. Set Simple Goals and Keep a Light Routine
Summer doesn’t need to be over-scheduled—but having a bit of structure helps kids stay balanced. A loose daily routine that includes time for active play, quiet reading, and open-ended creativity can go a long way.
Consider setting a couple of summer learning goals that align with your child’s age and interests. For example:
- “Practice math facts three times a week”
- “Read five chapter books this summer”
- “Learn how to ride a bike without training wheels”
- “Try cooking one new recipe each week”
You can make a simple progress chart, use stickers, or just celebrate successes as you go. The goal isn’t pressure—it’s progress. This gives kids a sense of purpose and keeps skills from getting rusty.
Read more about why and how to have a Summer Routine here. By taking the time to plan how the days in the summertime look, you get to reap all sorts of rewards!
Happy Summer, ‘hood Family!
Encouraging summer learning doesn’t mean creating a classroom at home. It’s about embracing the season and using its rhythms—free time, flexibility, and outdoor fun—as opportunities to keep young minds growing.
When kids are allowed to explore, create, read, and ask questions, learning happens naturally. And when you support it with a little structure and some thoughtful tools—like reading challenges, STEM projects, or goal-setting—your child heads into the new school year more confident and ready to thrive.
Happy Learning!
