The document provides a variety of summer learning resources for children to prevent academic skill loss during the summer break. It includes online programs, DIY camps, and activities across various subjects such as math, coding, science, and arts catering to different age groups. Additionally, it highlights outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities to engage kids in learning beyond traditional classroom settings.

1. INGENIOUS SUMMER LEARNING RESOURCES FOR KIDS
Kids lose 22% of their academic skills over the summer.
Avoid the dreaded summer slump with these resources that help kids learn all
summer long.

2. Summer Online
Learning Opportunities

3. DIY SUMMER CAMPS
AGES 7-16
Earn skills badges by completing
different camps. Each camp lasts four
weeks. Instructors post daily videos,
and kids post as little or as often as
they like. First camp costs $10.
Subsequent camps cost $39.
diy.org/camps

4. KHAN ACADEMY
AGES 5-18
Offers a range of subjects online for
free, including math, science, coding,
history, art history, economics and
more.
Kids learn at their own pace through
practice exercises and instructional
videos. Parents can track progress.
Khan Academy partners with
institutions such as NASA, The Museum
of Modern Art, The California Academy
of Sciences and MIT.
khanacademy.org

5. CODE ACADEMY
AGES 12 AND UP
This online program is for
beginner coders or aspiring
computer programmers.
Courses range from 3-13 hours.
It’s a great for both kids and
parents - and it’s free.
codecademy.com

6. TODAY BOX
AGES 4-10
A non-commercialized site for
kids, parents and educators
that hosts highly-curated
content safe for curious kids.
Explore videos on animals,
nature, art, music, active play,
robots, space, STEM and more.
todaybox.co

7. BRAIN CHASE CHALLENGE
AGES 6-16
Five-week challenge begins 6/22.
Completing an hour of academic
unlocks animated videos and clues for
a $10k prize. Partners include Khan
Academy, Rosetta Stone and
credentialed writing instructors.
brainchase.com

8. DUOLINGO APP
AGES 4 AND UP
Learn a foreign language for free! There
are up to 11 languages to choose from
with this app rated App of the Year by
Apple in 2013. Great for parents too!
SCIENCE HOUSE APP
AGES 4-18
A free science app that includes over 80
science lessons and videos. These
inexpensive experiments will inspire
curiosity and inquiry in your kids.

9. For Tinkerers And Makers

10. TINKERLAB FOR MINI
MAKERS AND INVENTORS
AGES 2 AND UP
TinkerLab ranks as one of the top 25 creative mom
blogs by Circle of Moms. Rachelle Doorley, an arts
educator and parent., Participate in the tinkering
sketchbook challenge, build a Rube Goldberg
machine, fly a tea bag hot air balloon or get messy in
the kitchen!
tinkerlab.com

11. MAKE A KID TINKERING KIT
AGES 6 AND UP
The blog Katydid and Kid: Adventures in
Making and Doing has an excellent
guide to putting together a tinkering kit,
so your kids can build and tinker to
their hearts content. Many of the items
you probably already have around your
home. The site also includes lots of fun
tinkering activities for kids.
Katydidandkid.com

12. SEEDLING KITS
AGES 3-12
Imagine, explore and create with
playful and affordable activity
kits from Seedling. Shop by price,
age or theme. Make a superhero
cape, invent your own insects,
design a pirate ship, sew a
dino(sew), and more! Great for a
rainy day or summer travel!
Seedling.com

13. HATCH EARLY LEARNING
STEM KITS
AGES 2-5
This company sells STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Math) Kits designed
specifically for preschoolers. Kits help kids
learn about gravity, volume, engineering,
robotics and more at a developmental level
appropriate for kids ages 2-4. Buy kits or get
ideas for making your own.
hatchearlylearning.com

14. LAKESHORE LEARNING
STEM KITS
AGES 5-14
Buy real-world challenge kits to stimulate
your child’s STEM skills. This site allows
parents to search by age, price and topic
making it easier to see what’s available. Kits
include water play, fairy-tale problem solving
and engineering. These kits are perfect for a
rainy summer day or outdoor play.
lakeshorelearning.com

15. MAKERS CAMP
AGES 13-18
This free online digital camp is for kids who love to hack, tinker, build and
discover. Camp runs six-weeks from July 6 – August 14. Campers make their own
DIY projects at home. Last year’s camp included a hangout with the White House
Executive Chef and a live assembly of a telescope at NASA.
makercamp.com

16. Nature And
Outdoor Learning Fun

17. THIS BOOK WAS A TREE
AGES 2 AND UP
The best part about summer is
spending time outdoors! Each
chapter of science teacher Marcie
Cuff’s activity book encourages
kids and families to reconnect
with nature.
Touch, collect, document, sketch,
analyze, explore, and unravel the
natural world.
amazon.com

18. VOLUNTEER MATCH
AGES 14 AND UP
Volunteer Match helps match
volunteers with organizations
based on interests and location.
It’s also a great way for teenagers
to learn about other fields they
might be interested in pursuing
in the future like education,
healthcare, nonprofit work,
museum studies and more.
volunteermatch.org

19. NATURE ROCKS: LET’S GO
EXPLORE
AGES 2 AND UP
This site by the Nature Conservancy
features tons of activities that
encourage kids and families to spend
more time outdoors.
Activities are divided up by age,
location, weather and time in order to
make it easy to navigate the site.
naturerocks.org

20. OUTDOOR GAMES FOR KIDS
ALL AGES
Education.com has a lengthy list of
outdoor activities perfect for a party or
outdoor fun. Try yoga with your dog,
nature tic-tac-toe, making your own
Frisbee, have a watermelon seed
spitting contest, have a phonic
scavenger hunt and more. Each activity
includes instructions and reviews.
Education.com/activity/outdoor/

21. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS
AGES 5-13
Planning to visit a National Park this
summer? Check out this free program
that encourages kids to complete
learning challenges and activities in the
parks, share learning with park rangers
and earn a Junior Ranger badge and
certificate. Can’t get to a park? Check out
web rangers and learn about the parks
through online activities.
nps.gov/kids/jrRangers.cfm

22. Rainy Day Physical Activities

23. KIDS SKATE FREE
AGES 12 AND UNDER
Check out this national program
to see if there’s a participating
rink near you.
KIDS BOWL FREE
AGES 12 AND UNDER
Kids to play up to two free games per
day. Parents only need to cover the
cost of bowling shoes.

24. MUSEUMS ON US
If you’re a Bank of America
customer, enjoy free entrance
to over 150 museums and
cultural institutions across the
United States on the first full
weekend over every month this
summer and year round.

25. Summer Reading,
Writing And Publishing

26. SCHOLASTIC SUMMER
READING CHALLENGE
AGES 5-12
This free summer reading challenge
encourages kids to read books and log
their progress over the summer for the
chance to win virtual prizes. The contest
runs from May 4 through September 4.
scholastic.com

27. BARNES AND NOBLE
SUMMER READING
AGES 5-12
Once kids have read eight books,
they can choose a free book from
the Reading Journal List at any
Barnes and Noble Store. Parents
can also pick up a free summery
activity kit.
barnesandnoble.com

28. SUMMER READING LISTS
AGES 5-14
Visit your local library and check out some
of these books recommended by the
Association for Library Service to Children.
Lists are divided by early education,
elementary, and middle school.
ala.org/alsc/2015-summer-reading-list

29. NEIGHBORHOOD
BOOK CLUBS
AGES 5-18
Start a neighborhood book club!
PBS Parents has helpful tips for
starting a book club with kids.
pbs.org

30. TIME 4 WRITING
AGES 6 AND UP
This online writing resource
features four-week online
writing courses for elementary,
middle and high school
students.
SCRIBBLITT
AGES 4 AND UP
Kids design, illustrate, write and
publish work using Scribblitt. Order
hard copies of notecards or books
and share directly on the site.
time4writing.com
scribblitt.com

31. Visit Parent.Co