Summer Learning Guide

Learning resources for summer are everywhere, but the best advice we can share: keep summer learning simple and fun!

Start With Free Summer Resources

 

Summer Learning Directory

Art for Summer Learning

Books
  • Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters by Mary Ann F. Kohl and Kim Solga features 110 art appreciation activities for kids.
  • Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages is part of a series of books by Susan and Rainer Schwak and is full of fun ideas to help introduce art to children.
  • Art Lab for Little Kids: 52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers by Susan and Rainer Schwak is written for children ages 4-6-year-olds.
Websites

Financial Fun Learning

Books
  • Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens: Starting Your Own Business-A Guide for Teen Entrepreneurs  by Debbie MadsonFinancial Tips for Homeschoolers
  • The Kids’ Money Book: Earning * Saving * Spending * Investing * Donating by Jamie Kyle McGillian
  • Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze
    Games
    • Monopoly! Indeed, it is a classic and a family favorite for good reason. Have a great time with your family and develop your child’s understanding of investments and development.
    • Stock Market – The Wall Street Trading Game is a board game that introduces players to important financial concepts and more.
    Online resources

    Computer Programming and Coding for Kids

    Cooking with Kids

    Foreign Language Summer Learning Opportunities

    • Mango Languages helps users practice conversations in over 60 foreign languages
    • Duolingo is a free language learning site with a unique approach. Lessons are short and easy to fit summer enrichment opportunities into the busiest teen’s summer schedule. Even homeschooling moms learn with this one!
    • Maximize Summer Learning with Foreign Language Studies is perfect for high school students looking for a summer challenge.

    History for Summer Learning

    • Learn about genealogy at Genealogy.com
    • From the comfort of your living room, visit the British Museum. Enjoy a virtual tour and see 4,634 artifacts housed in the museum.

    Language Arts for Summer Learning

    • CourseBridgeBridge learning gaps easily this summer with this language arts and math curriculum designed specifically for summer learning and after-school supplementary learning.
    • Summer Reading Program – grab our free printable fun summer reading challenge kit and start today!
    • Pizza Hut sponsors several fun reading challenges for kids through their Book It program. Get reading great books this summer.
    • Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program is not just for Mensa members or the regular school year. Participants in this year-round program earn a certificate and a t-shirt for reading all of the books in this book challenge.
    • Create your own neighborhood Reading Challenge for a great learning experience! Help your readers establish the number of books they will read over the summer.
    • 6 Super Summer Writing Tips to help your kids get started tapping into their creative writing vein and putting their thoughts on paper.
    • Celebrate Summer with 6 Writing Prompts to help inspire your young writers.
    Books
    • In her books Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink and Writing Magic, bestselling children’s author, Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing in this companion to the popular Writing Magic.   
    • What Do Authors and Illustrators Do? by Eileen Christelow will inspire young writers and artists as they read about the process of creating a book. Creative writing and drawing exercises are also included for the school year and summer.

    Math Summer Resources

    • CourseBridge – Bridge learning gaps easily this summer with this language arts and math curriculum designed specifically for summer learning and after-school supplementary learning.
    • Time4MathFacts – perfect for brushing up on those facts during the summer!
    • Unlock Math is an online math program that lets you have fun with math learning this summer!
    • Quirky mathematician Vi Hart’s YouTube channel is a must-see. I guarantee, there’s nothing out there quite like it!

    Nature Studies for Summer Learning

    Online Tools for Summer Learning

    Science for Summer Learning

    Books and Magazines
    • The Horrible Science series by Nick Arnold includes titles like Blood, Bones and Body Bits, Chemical Chaos, Disgusting Digestion, Nasty Nature, Electricity Sounds Dreadful, and The Terrible Truth About Time. Filled with pictures, trivia, fun facts, and science, these are books even reluctant readers will enjoy.
    • Monster Science series by Mark Weakland is written in graphic novel format and is such great fun. Using vampires, zombies, werewolves, and ghosts, Weakland demonstrates basic principles of science and makes for a great learning experience. Titles include Aliens and Energy, Bigfoot and Adaptation, Ghosts and Atoms, Zombies, and Forces and Motion to name just a few.
    • MUSE is a science and arts magazine written for kids ages 9-14. Filled with facts, jokes, thought-provoking articles, and summer learning programs. Kids with a love of science will love this magazine too.

    Special Education Summer Opportunities

    Books
    • Life Skills Activities for Special Children 2nd Edition, by Darlene Mannix
    • Social Skills Activities for Special Children 2nd Edition, by Darlene Mannix
    • Connected Kids: Help Kids with Special Needs (and Autism) SHINE with mindful, heartfelt activities, by Lorraine E Murray
    • Making Art Special: A Curriculum for Special Education Art, by Helen Goren Shafton
    Online Resources

    Summer Camp Books and Virtual Resources

    Reference Books
    • Lights Out!: Kids Talk About Summer Camp, by Eric Arnold and Jeff Loeb
    • Summer Fun: The Parents’ Complete Guide to Day Camps, Overnight Camps, Specialty Camps, and Teen Tours by Marian Edelman Borden
    • The Summer Camp Handbook: Everything You Need to Find, Choose and Get Ready for Overnight Camp-and Skip the Homesickness by Christopher A. Thurber PhD
    Picture Books
    • The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp, by Stan and Jan Berenstain.Kids At Home Summer Camp Kit
    • Tacky Goes to Camp, by Helen Lester. One of our favorite read-alouds.
    • Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathan London
    • Postcards from Camp by Simms Taback
    Online Resources

    Travel with Kids During the Summer

    Books
    • 100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life: From Your Backyard to the Ends of the Earth by Keith Bellows and Natalie Morales. Great encouragement to avoid screen time.
    • Travel with Children: The Essential Guide for Traveling Families (Lonely Planet Travel With Children) by Lonely Planet. Don’t worry about the homeschool schedule during the summer enjoy travel!
      Virtual Field Trips