1. Make YOUR OWN list--what do you want to do this summer? Go camping? Swim weekly? Learn to ride a horse? Now share your list with your parents. Our list is great--but your list might be even better!

  2. Buy several pairs of inexpensive sunglasses (think Dollar Store) and decorate them. http://www.bhg.com/crafts/kids/outdoor-projects/kids-summer-sunglasses/

  3. Carve a watermelon! Parental assistance may be necessary. There are certainly some cute ideas here--your watermelon will be the topic of conversation at any picnic!

  4. Build a fort. This can be in your living room--made out of blankets, or in a tree with wood and braces. If actual construction is involved, you will need an adult's supervision--and depending on where you live, you might even need a building permit or approval from a Homeowner's Association. But think how much fun it will be!

  5. Learn to play an instrument. Many music teachers are reaching out to homeschoolers on our Local Homeschooling pages, http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups/. Piano, violin, guitar, voice and more! And yes--your voice is a beautiful instrument!

  6. Have a Silly String fight, a water balloon fight or a pillow fight. Have some raucous fun! Get permission first.

  7. Lie outside at night and watch the sky for shooting stars. Find out why shooting stars aren't really stars at all. http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html

  8. Read The Little Prince. This is a phenomenal piece of literature with multiple layers, and it's a short read. Discover why it has been translated into more than 180 languages and why it has sold more than 80 million copies making it one of the best-selling books ever.

  9. Decorate your bike... spruce it up... and ride with friends. http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtodecoratebikebicyclescraftskids.html

  10. Learn about musicals. Watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Note how modern music has incorporated musical lyrics from these productions. Discuss how these musicals would be different if made today.

  11. With your parent's permission, redecorate and rearrange your bedroom. You can purchase Oops paint for as little as a dollar a gallon at your local paint/hardware store.

  12. In conjunction with #11, make summer themed bandana pillows. http://www.makingfriends.com/gifts/bandana_tie_pillow.htm

  13. Spend one afternoon of quality time with each individual in your family. Have a tea party with your little sister, play cards with you brother, and hang out with your Dad. Enjoy spending time with those that love you.

  14. Go camping--even if it's in your backyard! If you happen to have a trampoline--trampolines make great sleeping surfaces.

  15. Turn into an expert. Pick a topic you're interested in and research it online. Better yet, pick one subject per week. You'll be impressed with all you've learned by the end of the summer.

  16. Make homemade ice cream..

  17. Learn a new talent. What do you really wish you could do? Talk to your parents about it--they can help you achieve your goals.

  18. Get up at dawn and appreciate the coolness and peaceful feeling of the early morning. Compare it to the sweltering afternoon.

  19. With your family, float down a slow river on an inner tube. Or maybe, a not so slow river--tubing is a blast!

  20. Play badminton. It's a fun game. Compare it to ping pong and tennis. Just because you're good at one doesn't mean you're good at the others. Why is that? http://www.badminton.org/badminton-rules.html

  21. Learn about bats, why they are important and why they are beneficial. Did you know that a bat can eat as many as 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour? Try building a bat house. http://www.bats4kids.org/ http://www.batcon.org/

  22. Have a pinata party. But first, make your own pinata, http://www.makepinatas.com/. Or for a wet twist, make a water pinata!

  23. Interview your grandparents. They're interesting people! Find out what games they played when they were young, what their parents were like (your great-grandparents), what kind of clothes they wore, etc. If you can, record the interview. You'll be glad you did. http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/a/interview.htm

  24. Attend your sibling's game and REALLY root for him/her.

  25. Bake a cake and then decorate it. There are a number of cake decorating shows on television--watch a few and then see what you can do. Have fun with it. http://www.wilton.com/decorating/decorating-basics

  26. Learn about compound interest and start a savings acct. Check out What Happens When You Double a Penny Everyday for 30 Days.

  27. Do something especially nice for Father's Day (June 17th). Show your Dad how much he means to you. Write him a letter expressing your love. It's a gift he'll keep forever.

  28. Improve your vocabulary. Take the Word Dynamo Challenge. Then, every day, look up and learn 2 new words from the dictionary. At the end of the summer, take the Challenge again--and see how you've improved!

  29. .Learn how to do the butterfly stroke. It's the most difficult stroke--you'll certainly get a work out!

  30. Roast marshmallows and make S'mores. If you can't roast the marshmallows over a fire, a broiler will do! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Broiler-Smores/Detail.aspx

  31. Decorate your flip flops. http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/fluffy-flip-flops-670303/

  32. Watch live animal cams from your local zoo--or from any zoo! Here are some cam links from the National Zoo.

  33. Spoil your pet for a day. Give your dog a bath, play ball with him, and take him for a walk. Likewise, cuddle your cat, pet your hamster, talk to your bird, etc. Spoil your pet several times over the summer. Turn it into a habit.

  34. Lounge on a hammock. Better yet, make one first! http://www.ehow.com/how_2180458_improvise-a-hammock.html

  35. Have a neighborhood outdoor game day. Revisit 4-square; Red Rover, Red Rover; Duck, Duck, Goose; and Mother May I.

  36. Start a blog. For free templates, tutorials, and more, check out http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/

  37. Tour a college campus. There are pros and cons to touring during the summer months and you can read some of these at the following link,
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/62655-college-tours-summer.html

  38. Choose a day--or two--and perform random acts of kindness. See how others respond. It's very rewarding. Browse Kindness Ideas, and share your story as well.
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

  39. Talk to your parents about what you'd like to learn next year in your homeschool program. Chances are your parents are looking at curriculum now--so now is the time to speak up!

  40. Make FUN snacks with your siblings.
http://www.snackpicks.com/en_US/recipes/details/waffle-butterflies.html  http://www.snackpicks.com/en_US/for-kids/healthy-kid-moose-snack.html  http://www.snackpicks.com/en_US/for-kids/puppy-snack-slideshow.html

  41. On a really hot day, go to the dollar movies and enjoy the air conditioning!

  42. Learn about cotton candy. There's not nearly as much sugar in cotton candy as you might think. http://www.cottoncandy.net/ 

  43. Make a work of art in your driveway using multi-color chalk. Get permission first. Did you know you can draw with wet chalk? http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Wet-Chalk-Drawings  Or did you know that professional artists have done some amazing chalk art? http://www.rense.com/general67/street.htm

  44. Learn how to take a good photograph. There's more to it than pointing and clicking. http://www.betterphoto.com/photography-for-kids.aspp 

  45. Have an old fashioned weenie roast- and make your own mustard. There are over 100 recipes for mustard on the following link. http://www.melborponsti.com/inxmtd.html

  46. Make a birdbath!

  47. Learn jump rope tricks. Find jump rope videos on the internet to give you inspiration. It's AMAZING what people can do with a jump rope! http://www.buzzle.com/articles/jump-rope-tricks.html

  48. Do some crazy fun science experiments (explosions, etc.), with your parent's permission of course. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html

  49. Learn how to skip rocks. http://www.ehow.com/how_2622_skip-rocks.html



  50. Blow bubbles with bubble gum--gigantic, wonderful, pink bubbles. Have blowing contests with your siblings. You can even learn how to blow one bubble within another!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2105861_blow-bubble-gum-bubble.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2222361_blow-one-bubble-gum-bubble.html

  51. Swing on a tire swing or a rope swing. Don't have one? That's an easy fix!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2085185_tire-swing.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2105748_make-rope-swing.html

  52. Make friendship bracelets for all of your friends--and your siblings too!

  53. Jump on a trampoline. It can be a backyard trampoline or you can jump at a trampoline fun center. Trampoline fun centers seem to be a new craze and are popping up all over the country. Some can even be found on our site.

  54. Run through the sprinklerss--this never gets old! Or participate in the fun celebration of Slip-n-Slide!

  55. Make "custom" Kool-Aid by mixing flavors.

  56. Make your own--or family beachbag/outing bag. Then fill with summer necessities--lip balm, bottled water, sun screen, a small first aid kit, etc. Parental assistance may be necessary.

  57. Check out your local paper to discover any free-admission activities. Lots will be going on in your community and you don't want to miss a thing.

  58. Slide down a hill on a piece of cardboard--but first, check out this link! http://wings.avkids.com/Curriculums/Forces_Motion/sliding_howto.html. Or, you can go ice blocking. With both, let your parents know what you're doing.

  59. Make a new friend. Reach out to someone who has just moved into your neighborhood or to someone that maybe doesn't have a lot of friends. They might end up being your best buddy.

  60. Give your grandparents a big hug for no reason!

  61. Make and fly a kite. There are 19 kite possibilities at
http://www.howtomakeandflykites.com

  62. Learn the physics of skateboarding. http://www.exploratorium.edu/skateboarding

  63. Go somewhere fun with the family. A family reunion perhaps?

  64. Think about what you want to be when you grow up and find out what type of education is required. Go online and determine the demand for the field and the starting salary. Some adults do what they love regardless of the compensation, others go into a field because of the pay. http://www.careeronestop.org/

  65. Learn all about physical fitness http://www.peertrainer.com/how_to/physical_fitness_resources_for_kids.aspx. So much information, just scroll down the page.

  65. Have a Cannon Ball competition with your friends. Read this link and you just might win! http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/physics/physics-of-cannonball-splash

  67. Engage in an old fashioned sack or wheel barrow race.

  68. Volunteer!

  69. Surprise your Mom (and Dad)--clean your room without being told to do so!

  70. Learn the history of where you live. The library will be a good place to start.

  71. Play hide and go seek--in the DARK! Turn off all the lights in the house... and play for hours. Warning--this can get a bit raucous. Parental permission required.

  72. Try a food you've never tasted before. Go on... take a bite!

  73. Find a mentor. Want to learn a specific skill or knowledge? See if someone in the community can be your mentor. This can be a family member, family friend, or someone you don't even know yet.

  74. BE a mentor.

  75. Learn how to do a roundoff.

  76. Lounge on a hammock. Better yet, make one first! http://www.ehow.com/how_2180458_improvise-a-hammock.html

  77. Turn up the music and DANCE!

  78. Understand the science behind fireworks. http://www.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm

  79. Learn to hula hoop and master some fun tricks! http://www.ehow.com/how_2239194_do-simple-hula-hoop-tricks.html

  80. Visit an educational and fun farm. Several educational farms are reaching out to homeschoolers at http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups/. Can't make it to a farm? Visit a virtual farm.

  81. Recycle bottles and donate the money to a local charity http://www1.networkforgood.org/for-donors/tips-and-tools/kids-guide.

  82. Make up bubble solution--because we don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy bubbles! Learn the best conditions for optimal bubble making. http://www.bubblemania.com/faq/solution.html

  83. Prevent brain drain with Time4Learning's online education program. Summer should be fun. With Time4Learning,it can be!

  84. If you're a girl, bring back the Topsy-Tail! You might have to ask your Mom what one is!

  85. Make paper airplanes--there's quite a variety!

  86. Learn how to whistle with two fingers

  87. Understand the physics behind roller coasters. They aren't as dangerous as they seem! http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics

  88. Make up with someone. Go ahead, end the feud!

  89. Learn the science behind rainbows.

  90. Read Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene and watch the video starring Kristi McNichol and Bruce Davidson.

  91. Learn about frogs.

  92. If you're old enough and your parents approve, get a job. Real life experience is extremely educational!

  93. Find out how hot air balloons work. Depending on where you live, you might be able to go on one or at least watch them take off. Did you know they make a bit of noise? http://www.howstuffworks.com/hot-air-balloon.htm

  94. Learn to play Chess. There are a number of free sites on the Internet that will help you learn.

  95. Go to the beach or the lake and build a sandcastle. Get your family and friends involved. http://www.ehow.com/how_7470_build-sand-castle.html

  96. Plant a Fall vegetable garden--think pumpkins!

  97. Make pink lemonade bars. http://www.kitchendaily.com/recipe/pink-lemonade-bars-83236

  98. Do something... anything you choose... to make you a better you.

  99. Barter your services. Want to ride a horse? Offer to clean out stalls in return for riding time. Want to take guitar lessons? Offer to mow the instructor's lawn in return for lessons. Get your parent's permission and then make sure you follow through on your end.

  100. Read the book The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter. If you can, watch the 1958 feature film adaptation produced by Walt Disney Productions and then compare the two.

  101. Last but not least... get ready for school to resume. Summer is GREAT but so is the fall!

This list of 101 Things To Do This Summer has been brought to you by Time4Learning.
 

Time4Learning makes summer learning fun! One low price includes 1000+ multimedia lessons, individual student logins, access to multiple grade levels & an automated system that grades lessons and keeps reports for portfolio usage. Use it as a core curriculum, as part of an eclectic program or for summer skill sharpening.