Easy Summer Enrichment Ideas For Kids

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I’ve always liked to have a little bit of structure and a plan for summer for my children. This does not mean we don’t have fun, flexibility and a three month summer vacation, but I like some sort of plan to keep their minds growing and expanding, off electronics as much as possible, and doing things like chores and meeting some goals. Some easy summer enrichment ideas for kids that have worked for me are math workbooks, and choosing good summer books to read at bedtime or when bored. Simple!

I’ve learned to start strong, but also with simple goals, and expectations that vacations, and knowing the wear and tear of the last portion of summer routine-wise will slow things down a bit. I like though, having to reset and get back on track with some sort of plan that was put in place from the beginning.

I’ve used the Summer Bridge workbooks before and they are excellent and all-compassing and worked well for us, especially the smaller kids.

My new favorites are Spectrum supplement books and I’m using the math ones for my graduating second and sixth grader. I have learned to buy the grade they are graduating FROM, first, to give confidence and reinforce the principles and then go on to the next grade if time and confidence allows. I think all the math practice they can get is worth it in terms of retention and also repeating the same grade allows them more independence and less involvement for me. Janey has already started hers, and loves it and asked for the Spectrum reading workbook for second grade.

For easy summer enrichment ideas for little ones, I have these suggestions, most of what I’ve used before and things that keep them busy while I do my household duties:

In terms of reading, this is where the fun comes in but sometimes also a hassle because it’s HARD to find good books for some reading levels! I feel like I usually have to order some so we have them on hand in case a library run turns up totally dry. We have a small library also in town, so many books they want can’t be found and have to be ordered online. It’s so much easier to just stock up for the summer either through the bookstore or library and have a plan in place.

Here are four GREAT series: For more books we’ve liked you can visit here.

When it comes to charts and rewards-well, unless I KNOW it’s going to motivate a child AND I am going to be consistent I don’t use them often. Some kids thrive on goals they can see, and others don’t care. Sometimes they help ME keep track, which is mainly why I would use them. There are SO many cute ideas out there for charts, and I know local libraries often have reading challenges.