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Can you believe that summer is right around the corner? Summer – full of hot dog roasts, swim parties, fireworks, lightening bugs, family vacations, lazy mornings…and at some point, that spoken statement that almost all parents dread, “I’m bored”!
In response to this age old conundrum (really, how can they be bored when there is so much fun to be had?), we’ve compiled a list of 101 ideas to keep your children’s minds and bodies busy during the summer months. Many are suitable for kids to complete on their own, some require parental permission and others can be completed as a family.
Kids can choose any activities they are interested in and complete them in any order they’d like. The list includes check- off boxes, but if you (or your kids) prefer a little more structure, please note the Summer Boredom-inator and the Boredom-inator Weekly forms that go along with our 101 Things To Do list. These forms were submitted by one of our loyal readers–and we think they’re a GREAT addition!
And might we suggest using Time4Learning this summer? Whether you use their program for summer skill-building, to prevent backsliding or to get ahead for next year, the Time4Learning online education program offers your kids a productive outlet to stimulate their creativity and promote mental exercise into the summer months.
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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!
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=08
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2. It’s summer-learn about the sun
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=50
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3. Master a cartwheel and learn the font physics of tumbling.
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4. Learn watermelon science! That sounds like fun!
http://diyhomeschooler.com/summer-fun-activity-watermelon-science/
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5. Have a Cannon Ball competition with your friends. Read the following link and you just might win!
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/physics/physics-of-cannonball-splash
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06. Become a better you, and have fun while doing so! You can join Ari & Mr. Why on their adventures in “Winning in the Game of Life” and “Exploring the Journey of Life” – all on the Spirituality for Kids website. This site offers fun videos, animations, games, art activities, journaling and more – tools to help you make wise choices, overcome challenges, and develop self-awareness, resilience & self-esteem (wow!). You can access the Spirituality for Kids program (with your parent’s permission of course) here: www.spiritualityforkids.com. And it’s free!
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07. 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
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08. While you’re out there, check out the moon! Learn about a full moon, as well as the different phases of the moon. Fyi – the full moons this summer are on the evenings of 6/2, 7/2 and 7/31 (2 in 1 month! The second is called a Blue Moon), and on 8/29.
http://earthsky.org/moon-phases/full-moon
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09. Learn to Hula Hoop! Google for hoop tricks and hula hoop dance moves. How fun!
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10. Volunteer in the community with your friends (with parental permission of course!). Rising 7th through 11th graders can actually earn awards and college scholarships doing just this! Lion’s Heart makes it easy to start a group anywhere in the nation. To learn more, click here.
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11. Make (and eat) some butterflies! Yes, you read that correctly!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/311663236684008059/
https://www.pinterest.com/MyButterflyLady/edible-butterflies-and-caterpillars/
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12. Learn a language. Yes, you can do it! You can choose between Spanish, French, Chinese or German, and learn in an engaging online environment with interactive curriculum (Grades K-12). Want to learn more? Click here for information from Middlebury Interactive Languages.
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13. Spend one afternoon of quality time with each individual in your family. Go exploring with your sister, play a game with you brother, and hang out with your Dad. Enjoy spending time with those that love you.
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14. Smash a banana with science! Learn how much gravitational potential energy it takes to smash a banana with a toy car. Download the experiment here and have fun this summer with Real Science-4-Kids!
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15. Have some fun reading and meet the fun characters at ReadingKingdom.com. Your family can start with a free 30 day trial and take advantage of the website’s collection of resources, including educational activities, great books for kids, games and more that will help you learn all summer long!
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16. Now, read a book a week! Or more! Choose topics that really interest you.
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=40
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17. If you need some help picking out books, these are the perfect reading companions – on the boat, in the backyard fort, or wherever the season takes your family. Get your 2015 Sonlight® Summer Readers today.
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18. Get up at dawn and appreciate the coolness and peaceful feeling of the early morning. Compare it to the sweltering afternoon. Write about the differences–maybe a short story or a poem–it’s your choice! You can check out Time4Writing for some helpful hints.
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19. Have some fun with an old but important piece of paper. Draw a picture of how the U.S. Constitution is America’s greatest strength! You can even enter your picture in a contest! Learn more here: http://www.constitutingamerica.org/downloads.php (contest categories for older kids are at this link too).
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20. Learn web design and programming! You’ll be able to build your own website after completing these fun online classes with a live teacher who can answer your questions. Choose from HTML and CSS, Javascript, or PHP classes. Perfect for kids ages 13-18. Brought to you by Living the Answer.
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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/
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22. Have a piñata party. But first, make your own piñata. Or for a wet twist, make a water piñata!
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23. Interview your grandparents. They’re interesting people! Find out what toys they played with 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
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24. Try the No Impact Week Challenge
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25. Learn basic economics! This Common $ense Economics MOOC (a MOOC is a free course found online) uses short video clips from TV and movies (Seinfeld to Conan and much more), so you’ll have fun while learning how to apply economic reasoning to everyday life. The best part? This economic course teaches skills you can use throughout the summer, and for the rest of your life. Visit http://commonsenseeducation.net/mooc , and learn about their high school courses here.
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26. Make a kaleidoscope!
http://www.pbs.org/parents/fun-and-games/activities-and-crafts/kaleidoscopes-for-kids/
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27. Do something especially nice for Father’s Day (June 12th). Show your Dad how much he means to you. Write him a letter expressing your love. It’s a gift he’ll keep forever.
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28. Make a summer activity memory jar.
http://diyhomeschooler.com/summer-fun-activity-summer-memory-jar/
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29. Discover what it takes to swim like a champion!
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/physics/how-to-swim-like-a-champion-according-to-science-10152645
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30. Have a S’mores party!
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31. Decorate your flip flops.
http://adornabelle.com/how-to-decorate-your-own-flip-flops/
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32. Discover the 11 Rule of Multiplication and practice it until you can do it in your head.
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue07/#page=82
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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!
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34. Lounge on a hammock. Better yet, make one first!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2180458_improvise-a-hammock.html
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35. Go Geocaching with your family!
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue02/#page=06
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36. Experience Virtual Learning! Students earn their high school diploma through personalized learning plans in a shared virtual community. Click here to learn more about Opportunities for eLearning!
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37. Buy several pairs of inexpensive sunglasses (think the Dollar Store) and decorate them.
http://www.bhg.com/crafts/kids/outdoor-projects/kids-summer-sunglasses/
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38. Keep up your math learning momentum! ALEKS can help! ALEKS offers 24/7 online access, built-in motivation, and self-paced instruction. You can learn more about the award-winning program by downloading the FREE Interactive Program Guide.
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39. Visit a lighthouse! You don’t have to live on the ocean! Where else might you find a lighthouse? There are 680 lighthouses in the United States!
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=28
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40. Learn about bees and why they are so important to our environment . Also, learn how you can protect them.
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-bees-are-important-to-our-planet/
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/5-ways-to-help-children-help-bees
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41. Learn to skip stones. There’s a science behind it.
http://www.wikihow.com/Skip-Rocks
http://discovermagazine.com/2003/aug/featscienceof
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42. Make friendship bracelets for all of your friends–and your siblings too!
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43. Learn about cotton candy. There’s not nearly as much sugar in cotton candy as you might think.
http://www.cottoncandy.net/
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44. If you’re being homeschooled through the summer, give it your all!
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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
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46. Choose a day–or two–and perform random acts of kindness. See how others respond. Browse Kindness Ideas, and share your stories as well.
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
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47. Master a few 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
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48. Learn how to take a good photograph. There’s more to it than pointing and clicking.
http://clickitupanotch.com/2012/07/photography-for-kids/. And here is info on how to take a good selfie! http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3743/take-great-selfie/
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49. Make flower cupcakes! They sure are cute!
http://susanevans.org/blog/flower-cupcakes/ |
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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.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_blow_a_double_bubble
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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
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52. Attend your sibling’s game and REALLY root for him/her.
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53. The number 1089 is the centerpiece of a curious mathematical trick. Google it and impress others with your knowledge!
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54. Make your own sidewalk chalk!
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=38
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55. When traveling, make a vacation chain–this was recommended by a Homeschool.com reader, and we think it’s brilliant!
https://www.homeschool.com/Top10/top10traveltips.asp (Item #3)
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56. Learn all about physical fitness.
http://www.peertrainer.com/how_to/physical_fitness_resources_for_kids.aspx .
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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.
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58. Slide down a hill on a piece of cardboard. OR, you can go ice blocking. With both, get parental permission first–and wear safety gear–you can end up going pretty fast.
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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.
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60. 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!
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61. Make and fly a kite. There are 19 kite possibilities at
http://www.howtomakeandflykites.com. Learn about lift, drag, and gravity at this link – http://www.gombergkites.com/nkm/why.html
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62. Learn the physics of skateboarding.
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-skateboarding.html
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63. Run through the sprinklers–this never gets old! Or participate in the fun celebration of Slip-n-Slide!
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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
http://www.learnhowtobecome.org
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65. What’s so special about the number 9? You can find out here.
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66. Bake cookies on the dashboard of your car (with your parent’s permission, of course)! Learn the science behind this activity.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dashboard-baking/
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67. Engage in an old fashioned sack or wheel barrow race.
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68. Download some new, free educational apps and learn something entirely new this summer!
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69. Make a Tic -Tac -Towel. Great fun for the pool or beach!
http://www.marthastewart.com/273719/tic-tac-towel
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70. Along with a towel, make your own, or family beachbag/outing bag. Parental assistance may be necessary.
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71. Learn and tell summer jokes.
http://www.bestfamilyadvice.com/summer-jokes-for-kids.html
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72. Try a food you’ve never tasted before. Go on…take a bite!
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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.
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74. BE a mentor.
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75. Play educational and fun variations of hopscotch.
http://guiltfreehomeschooling.org/?p=944
https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue07/#page=44
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76. Go the day without electronics. Go on, you can do it!
www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=54
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77. Understand the physics behind roller coasters. They aren’t as dangerous as they seem!
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics
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78. 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.
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79. Prevent brain drain with Time4Learning’s online curriculum. Summer learning should be fun. With Time4Learning, it can be.
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80. Visit an educational and fun farm. Can’t make it to a farm? Visit a virtual farm .
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81. Recycle something old into something new.
https://www.homeschool.com/blog/index.php/2013/08/back-to-homeschool-my-most-favorite-crafts-project-ever/ . For a project like this, you’ll need parental help. What projects can you think of? Think big and ask for parental assistance, if necessary.
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82. Make up bubble solution–because we don’t know anyone that doesn’t enjoy bubbles! Learn the best conditions for optimal bubble making.
http://www.bubblemania.com/faq/solution.html
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83. Designate theme days–Blue Day, Backward Day, Funny Hair Day, etc. The options are endless.
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84. Understand the science behind fireworks.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/fireworks.htm
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85. Learn to sew, embroider or crochet. This isn’t just for girls! One of the boys that visits our Homeschool.com offices makes great beanies!
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86. Learn how to whistle with two fingers.
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87. Make and fly paper airplanes – and learn why they fly.
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88. Make up with someone. Go ahead, end the feud!
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89. Learn about rainbows. Now, make your own rainbow–all you need is a garden hose!
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/recipe-rainbows
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90. Google and find recipes that use pink lemonade as an ingredient! Here are just a few—
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pink-lemonade-pie/e/
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pink-lemonade-cupcakes/f2b726de-4fd1-4ace-a8b0-3a0cf769d02a
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91. Discover why a Lightening Bug (or Firefly) is neither a bug…or a fly!
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/
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92. Learn to play an instrument. Many music teachers are reaching out to homeschoolers on our Local Homeschooling pages, https://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups/. Piano, violin, guitar, voice and more! And yes–your voice is a beautiful instrument!
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93. Build academic success all year long with VocabularySpellingCity. It’s a fun site!
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94. Learn to play Chess. There are a number of free sites on the Internet that will help you learn.
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95. Find out how hot air balloons work. Depending on where you live, you might be able to go on one or at least watch one take off. Did you know they make quite a bit of noise?
http://www.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/hot-air-balloon.htm
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96. Plant a garden–think sunflower playhouses and/or fall pumpkins! https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=56
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97. For your garden, build bird feeders and baths, as well as butterfly and ladybug feeders! Ask your parents what they’d like to attract to their garden, and you can do it! https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=60
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98. Learn how to draw! Yes, you can learn! Not all great artists are born. Here are 100 free art lessons — https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=34
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99. Now, you can make your own art supplies, with parental permission/assistance, of course! Here is a link for play doh, http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/ and one for watercolor paints http://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-watercolour-paints/
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100. Make homemade ice cream and celebrate the fact that you’re one summer older! https://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/#page=38
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101. Last but not least… get ready for homeschool to resume. Summer is GREAT but so is the fall!
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This list of 101 Things To Do This Summer has been brought to you by Time4Learning. Whether you use it as an interactive skill sharpening tool, an alternative to summer school, or to try out new materials for next year, Time4Learning makes learning fun! And now that it can be used on most mobile devices, it’s easier than ever to use Time4Learning from anywhere!
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