Many a mother has despaired over what to do with her children during summer vacation. Educational summer activities keep children learning and growing intellectually at the same time as they are entertaining. Some are fun for the whole family, while others provide an opportunity for the kids to learn some independence while the parents get some alone time.
Summer Camps
Whether day camps or sleep-away camps, summer camps are an ideal way for kids to learn new things and meet new people while having a whole lot of fun. Summer camps are offered by a variety of private groups, schools and city recreation departments. They are sometimes designed around a theme, like tennis or horses or art, but others are general interest.
Although summer camps are good for giving parents and kids a break from each other, the down side is that they do not usually create opportunities for the family to do things together.
Summer Family Field Trips
A summer educational activity the whole family can learn from is to take a family trip, like to a historic site, national monument or museum. Touring the site together as a family, reading informational pamphlets or placards and discussing them is a good way for everyone in the family to learn. Other options for places to visit include living history farms, historical reenactment fairs like Sacramento Gold Rush Days or renaissance fairs, and 4H livestock events.
Parent Lucinda Gunnin takes her family on field trips on a regular basis. “These are usually more fun if [the kids] don't realize learning is involved, like a visit to a prairie village to learn some history, or spelunking to learn geology, etc.,” she says.
Check the Internet or local Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Board for information on places to visit within an easily drivable distance, or plan a road trip to a more distant spot with some interesting and educational stops along the way.
Summer Family Fun with Nature
The great outdoors offers many opportunities for families to learn together about plants, animals, navigating and other survival skills. While hiking along a trail, someone can carry a book that identifies plants or birds, and everyone can work together to identify the real-life specimens they see around them.
Mother Amy Browne says, “I take mine camping—lots to learn there. Right wood to burn, plants and animals to avoid, food safety, fire safety...it also promotes family bonding. You need to work together to get tents up, cook, etc. I make everything a lesson.”
Jennifer Wright is another parent who takes full advantage of what nature can teach. “We always take family outings or camp. When we do this, we always teach the kids about survival skills, like edible plants and how to make a shelter. We don’t camp like normal people; we take only what we can carry and hike to the spot. You find wonderful camping spots that way.”
Growing a garden is a fun and satisfying summer educational activity. Kids can help plan what to plant by studying what plants grow well in the region, help purchase the seeds and put them in the ground. They can watch their efforts grow into beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables and experience the satisfaction of having a vase in their room full of flowers they grew, or they can eat what they helped create.
Summertime is a nice break from the school routine, but there are many opportunities for kids to keep learning about the world around them. Whether going off to summer camp or taking a trip with the family, summer educational activities are great fun for kids.
Jennifer Walker - Jennifer Walker is a freelance writer, professional ballroom dancer and an avid equestrian. She is a Northern California native and enjoys ...
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