How to Keep Children Learning During the Summer

Summer break is a cherished time for children — filled with sunshine, outdoor adventures, and relaxation. However, the extended break from formal education can sometimes lead to the “summer slide,” where children can lose some of the academic progress they made during the school year.

Fortunately, learning doesn’t have to stop just because school is out. By integrating engaging, hands-on, and fun activities into summer routines, parents and caregivers can foster curiosity, creativity, and continued intellectual growth.

One of the pillars in United Way of Broward County’s mission is education. Our range of educational programs is empowering children through quality learning opportunities, such as literacy programs, tutoring initiatives, and school-readiness efforts, to support student success and lifelong learning.

Research shows that students who do not participate in educational activities during the summer can fall behind, making it harder to catch up when the new school year begins. So we compiled a list of ways to keep children engaged in hands-on projects, creative activities, and enrichment programs so they can maintain their academic progress year-round.

1. Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Experiences

Learning doesn’t always need structured lessons — it can be seamlessly integrated into daily life. Everyday moments can spark curiosity, reinforce skills, and create meaningful learning experiences without feeling like schoolwork.

Examples include:

• cooking and math — measuring ingredients, doubling recipes, and working with fractions introduce mathematical concepts in an enjoyable, practical way
• gardening and science — understanding plant growth, photosynthesis, and ecosystems can turn a backyard into a science lab
• reading and storytelling — parents can encourage children to create their own stories based on daily experiences or summer adventures

2. Encourage Reading Every Day

Reading is one of the great ways to maintain learning momentum over the summer. Children who read regularly improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination.

Activities can include:

• create a summer reading challenge — set a goal for the number of books to read over the summer, and offer incentives for reaching milestones
• visit the library — many local libraries have summer reading programs with exciting activities, book lists, and rewards
• read aloud together —children benefit from hearing stories read aloud, which enhances listening and comprehension skills

The BookSmart app is a free app with hundreds of e-books for children to read — and it is useful and fun way to create a summer reading list. Plus the app includes contests and games, like the Bingo Invitation.

3. Engage in Hands-On STEM Activities

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities boost problem-solving skills and creativity. Children love building, experimenting, and designing — making STEM a perfect avenue for continuous learning.

Ideas for this summer include:

• engineering challenges — build bridges out of household materials, create towers with marshmallows and toothpicks, or design a paper roller-coaster
• coding and robotics — many online platforms offer free coding lessons, teaching children valuable tech skills while they have fun
• science projects — simple experiments like making slime, launching a baking-soda rocket, or exploring magnetism create excitement for learning

4. Keep Learning Social with Group Activities

Children learn best when they share ideas and engage in interactive discussions. Social learning fosters emotional intelligence while keeping education exciting and dynamic.

Examples include:

• book clubs — organize a summer book club where children can discuss stories, characters, and themes
• summer camps — enroll children in camps related to STEM, art, or outdoor adventure, and this structured learning helps with making new friends
• community service projects — volunteering teaches children about social responsibility, helps develop empathy, and introduces them to practical ways of problem-solving

5. Incorporate Learning Through Travel

Travel offers a wealth of educational opportunities — whether it’s a vacation abroad or a simple trip to a neighboring town. Every new place can become a lesson in geography, history, and diversity.

Ideas include:

• • geography and culture — children can explore maps, learn about different cultures, and practice new languages while traveling
  • history and local landmarks — visiting historical sites allows children to connect with the past in a tangible way
  • science and nature — national parks, aquariums, and wildlife reserves offer interactive learning experiences that go beyond textbooks

6. Make Learning Fun with Games and Technology

Incorporating technology and games into learning can make education feel less like a chore and more like a summer adventure.

Interactive methods to boost mental stimulation could be:

• educational apps and websites — platforms like Khan Academy, PBS Kids, and Duolingo offer engaging content to strengthens academic skills
• board games and puzzles — games like scrabble, chess, and Sudoku improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• do-it-yourself science kits — subscription boxes with science experiments, engineering challenges, or coding activities provide structured fun learning

7. Explore Educational Outdoor Activities

Summer is the perfect time to take learning beyond the classroom and into nature. Nature-based and experiential learning help children retain knowledge in a hands-on way, making concepts more tangible and engaging.

Examples include:

• nature walks and hikes — identify different plants, animals, and insects, and use guidebooks or apps to learn about local ecosystems
• outdoor science — try experiments like making a homemade volcano, exploring physics with paper airplanes, or observing the phases of the moon
• museum and historic site visits — many museums have interactive exhibits, scavenger hunts, and workshops that make learning fun

United Way of Broward County also offers Born Learning Trails for young children and their families. These interactive trials are designed to transform everyday outdoor spaces into engaging learning spaces through play, exploration, and caregiver interaction. The activities focus on language development, literacy, problem-solving, and social skills, reinforcing the idea that learning happens everywhere — not just in classrooms.

Our United Way’s Born Learning Trail in Dania Beach was the first in South Florida. The City of Dania Beach, United Way of Broward County, Home Depot, and Rebuilding Together Broward County partnered together to install this trail at Frank C. “Tootie” Adler Park at Ocean Beach.

Broward County’s second Born Learning Trail recently opened at Renaissance Park in Lauderhill — thanks to the community-building collaboration of our United Way, the City of Lauderhill, and Nailed It DIY Studio Fort Lauderdale.

With more Born Learning Trails on the way in Broward County, we are helping parents, caregivers, and communities create early learning opportunities for young children and establishing long-standing resources for people of all ages.

This summer, bring your family to enjoy unique outdoor activities at one of our Born Learning Trails. To start a Born Learning Trail in your community, or to become a corporate sponsor for a new Born Learning Trail, please contact Emilia Vilaire-Monchery at [email protected].

Summer in Broward County is a fantastic time and wonderful opportunity for children to continue learning in ways that are flexible, engaging, and fun. Whether reading a book under a shady tree, experimenting with science projects in the backyard, or exploring one of our United Way’s Born Learning Trails, children can keep their minds active and eager for knowledge and creativity.