Ten Educational Summer Activities for Kids

Educational summer activities for kids don't have to be restricted to finding a high end summer camp or structured college program. There are many summer activities for kids that can give an educational boost while providing weeks of fun. Though most children actually lose a month of learning over summer vacation, education and summer activities can still go hand in hand. Here are ten creative educational summer activities for kids.

Explore Nature: Take a walk in the woods, park, desert, on the beach, or whatever suits you. Across the country and around the globe, there are incredible opportunities for hiking. During these hikes, talk to your child about what is around them, from flora to fauna. Discuss safety issues, rules visitors must follow to keep nature beautiful, habitats, and even varieties of trees and plants. The key to this activity is to do it together, but be sure to give a few moments of silence so the sounds of nature can sink in.

Tour a cemetery: Get in touch with history by touring a cemetery and discussing the people of the past. When you see a gravestone, discuss what life must have been like for the person who passed away while they were growing up. Take in all the artistry of the markers. Mention the various life spans and mention the hobby of genealogy. This could be a lead to an enjoyable activity - researching the family tree.

Join a book program: Various bookstores, book websites like scholastic, and libraries offer summer reading program as excellent educational summer activities for kids who love to read. Some programs even offer free books after completion. If you have an avid bookworm in your midst, the educational summer book clubs are a great educational summer activity.

Enjoy the Water: Swimming and other water activities are a great opportunity for summer activities for kids. If you have a microscope at home, try investigating a drop of pond water. Interested in the amphibian life cycle? Try raising a tadpole. Want to learn more about sea life? Look up seashells found on the shoreline. There are many summer activities for kids that you can find as close as your local lake, beach, or river.

Take an art or craft class: Learning how to throw pottery, an introduction to watercolors, or even the fun of a cartoon sketch class can be one of the most memorable educational summer activities for kids, especially when you enroll with your child. Kids who are involved in the arts typically perform better in traditional classes. Start your class out right by taking a tour of the art museum, and be sure to leave plenty of time aside to discuss the pieces you enjoyed most and what you didn't like so much.

Volunteer at a retirement home: Retirement homes are full of living history, and spending time at a retirement home is one of the less-considered summer activities for kids, but the wealth of learning that can be achieved is incredible. Not only do kids learn social lessons of respect and understanding, they might also observe the role nurses play in the everyday lives of the elderly and perhaps even learn a bit about the history of residents. Be sure to volunteer with your child to provide guidance throughout the experience. Maybe you will learn something too.

See what the museums have to offer: There are thousands of museums and historical sites available across the country, and they provide great educational summer activities for kids. From children's museums to science and learning centers, there are many programs to choose from. To save money on admission, consider purchasing an annual pass and make multiple trips.

Do the zoo: Observing the lives of animals is not the only thing going on at the zoo. Visiting the zoo is one of the best educational summer activities for kids because the zoo provides information on habitat and ecology as well as animal behavior. Be sure to ask your child what animals they liked best, what they thought of the exhibits, and what they can do to help animals still living in nature. You may also consider watching nature programs or a nature-themed movie like Madagascar after your trip to add more points to discuss.

Host your own Classic Film Festival: From family favorite The Wizard of Oz to the enigmatic Sabrina, classic films are surprisingly entertaining for the younger set. Have a particular night of the week set aside for "Movie Magic Night", complete with popcorn-popper popcorn, root beer floats, and plenty of family time. Finish each evening with a discussion about the times portrayed in the films, the actors and actresses, and what you loved about the film.

Encourage hobby exploration: Having a hobby will help children glow and grow. One of the overlooked educational summer activities for kids, hobbies like collecting will encourage your child to pursue interests. Ask questions about their hobby - Which marble is his favorite? Which seashell is the best color? Who is her oldest doll?

Whichever summer activities for kids you choose be sure to enjoy these years. Educational summer activities provide an alternative to the boredom of sitting in front of a television or playing a video game. Have a happy summer!