Author
Description
Exploration is a great way to keep kids busy this summer. It's also important to a child’s mental development. Whether discovering new worlds or examining the world around home, keep those little minds active with these fun, educational activities.
Scavenger Hunt
Take them on a traditional hunt or make it interactive: find three flowers that differ from one another, then try to identify them with eyes closed—by scent or touch.
Collective Leaves
Make your backyard cleanup educational! Identify species using a tree guide or by entering descriptive keywords in an online search. Fill a scrapbook with pressed leaves.
Invent Something
Find a solution to a situation: how to keep the floor by the dog’s water bowl dry or how to make a recipe taste better.
Observe & Report
Have a child pick a plant to observe and photograph in different seasons. Pay attention to how the plant responds to its changing environment.
Plant a Garden
Give kids a small space to call their own, then help them prepare the soil and plant their choices of flowers and vegetables.
Write a Story
Help kids come up with a list of characters, motivations and locations. Then write a short story together, prompting them to contribute details.
Stage a Play
Half the fun is finding costumes and props, which can then inspire the script. Brainstorm ideas together. Follow the script loosely by ad-libbing.
Build Ramps
Use cardboard or other material to build ramps to race marbles. Work with kids to modify ramps to alter marble speed or destination.
Engineer a Solution
Make a big pile of sand and let kids figure out how to build a stable roadway and prevent landslides— using gravel, timbers and other items.
Make an Erupting Volcano
Remember this simple experiment from science class? It's super easy to recreate at home.
