I know it’s the first week of May, but I need everyone to start planning for summer now.

Write a list of things for families to do over the summer, local and easy recommendations, to inspire and ignite creativity and learning over the summer.

Recommend free options as much as possible so that all students can participate and see themselves as active participants in their own learning. Start now, ask around for more ideas, build a nice long list.

Need inspiration? Here are some ideas:

• Go on a walk every day, talk the entire time (talking is learning, talk about anything your child desires)
• Bake/cook with your child–conversations around food are filled with vocabulary, reasoning, and mathematical computation
• Visit the zoo
• Help around the house–sorting clothing, setting the table, sweeping, etc. help children learn responsibility, practice academic learning, and acquire life skills
• Take kids to the grocery store–have your child find ingredients, discuss possible recipes, weigh food, etc.
• Visit a museum, visit many museums
• Sign-up for a summer reading challenge at the local library
• Get some art & craft materials from the Dollar store and make something beautiful
• Learn a new skill: embroidery, sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. (find a YouTube video and go for it!)
• Watch TedTalks, documentaries, and other programs that are age-appropriate and educational/spark discussion
• Do something athletic: basketball, running, walking, skateboarding, baseball, etc.
  • Gross motor skills, fine motor skills, interpersonal & intrapersonal abilities are developed during these experiences
• Join a summer program–swim class, recreation class, summer camp, etc.

This list is not complete. It includes items that span the K-12 spectrum. Some ideas require parental approval, supervision, and added effort. Some ideas are easily left to the child. This list is meant to be a springboard for a personalized list for your students as they embark on their summer journey–remember even though classroom learning has ended, their life is filled with learning opportunities and they should seize each moment to grow and learn.