6 Activities to Keep Students Learning This Summer

School is out for the summer! While this may mean barbecuing, camping, and swimming, there are also a number of fantastic summer learning activities that allow you to keep your brain engaged while you are having fun. Here are six ideas to explore: 

1. Read. Reading is a wonderful summer activity for any age. Not only does it maintain your comprehension skills, it also increases your vocabulary. This is especially important for students who are preparing for college admissions tests. As you read, you familiarize yourself with different writing styles, which can help you improve your own writing. We do not always speak in grammatically correct English, and reading is a great way to reinforce proper usage. Select a book that is interesting to you: a compelling story or a nonfiction narrative about a topic you wish to explore. You will reap all the benefits of reading while remaining entertained. Here are some great tips on how to create a summer reading program for you and your child.

2. Learn a new skill. Whether you choose origami, gardening, crocheting, or cooking, your mind will benefit from the very act of learning. Consider first reading about the skill you have selected—which, as previously stated, has numerous advantages—or working with a tutor who is an expert in the skill.

3. Choose games that challenge your brain. In addition to these board games that can sharpen your critical thinking skills, investigate Boggle and Scrabble. Both are summer learning activities that double as amusing ways to practice spelling and vocabulary. There are also a glut of logic puzzles available for free via the Internet. To locate such materials—which are certain to keep you engaged—simply type “logic puzzles” into a search engine.   

4. Visit a museum. Museums are ideal for all ages. There are children’s museums geared toward young people, and many cities also offer art, natural history, and science museums. Inquire as to what museums exist in your location. You will likely uncover one that is intriguing to you, which may prompt you to further explore its subject matter.

5. Shadow a professional. Summer is the perfect opportunity to shadow an individual who works in a field in which you have interest. Ask about a typical day, what he or she enjoys about or feels is lacking in the job, why he or she chose that career, and what courses or skills are most needed to work in that field. You will learn information that is invaluable to planning your college and high school career.

6. Go on a scavenger hunt. This item requires a bit of effort on your parents’ part, but it is well worth it. For little learners, this can be as simple as completing a scavenger hunt to find objects in the home of a certain color or shape. Parents can also create a reading scavenger hunt by choosing a book they would like their student to read. Make a scavenger hunt of phrases. As your student reads, he or she can mark off the phrases he or she uncovers, as well as earn a small reward for completing the book and the hunt. Turning summer learning activities into games is a great way to keep students mentally active and excited about academics. 

Have a great summer, and happy learning!