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If you’re a parent of school-aged kids, you know the mixed feelings summer break brings: freedom from early mornings and packed school schedules on the one hand, disruption of your kids’ consistent routines on the other. How do you keep your kids engaged, happy, and healthy throughout the summer?
It might sound obvious, but without regular activities or interaction with peers, kids may start to feel detached, unmotivated, or bored. This can contribute to anxiety, additional screen time, or even behavioral challenges, which in turn make it harder to return to school in the fall—especially for students transitioning to a new school.
The good news? There’s a lot you can do beyond puzzle-piecing camp schedules and childcare options to prevent the “summer slide”, help kids retain what they’ve learned in the previous school year, and maintain their social and emotional well being. We’ll cover:
- Establishing a consistent routine
- Setting aside time for reading
- Getting outside
- Incorporating “smart” and pretend play
- Finding alternatives to screen time
By incorporating these tips, the only summer slide you'll have to think about is the water slide at the pool or the tube slide at the playground!
1. Establish a consistent(ish) routine
In the hours outside planned camps and activities, even a loose routine can offer stability and reinforce healthy habits. For younger children, this might mean:
- Regular wake-up times
- Daily reading
- Play-based learning
- A solid bedtime routine
Older kids and teens may benefit from a more flexible approach—incorporating hobbies, social time, and self-directed learning throughout the day.
2. Set aside time for reading, and let your child choose what they read
Allowing children to choose what they read is one of the most effective ways to nurture a lifelong love of reading and prevent the summer slide: When kids have the freedom to select books that genuinely interest them and match their reading level, they are more engaged and likely to retain what they learn. 60 percent of children ages 6 to 17 say they love or like reading for fun.
Providing books tailored to your child’s interests not only ensures that reading feels personal and fun, but that it builds stronger comprehension skills and a deeper appreciation for books that maintain or improve their reading skills during the break, setting them up for success when they return to school.
Beyond learning retention, reading consistently is a great way to spark creativity and expand a child's imagination! If you’re especially looking for reads that address stress or anxiety that may come with summer transitions and routine changes, check out these recommendations from the Child Mind Institute.
3. Get outside
Spending daily time outdoors isn’t just about fresh air and exercise—it’s a powerful way to support children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development:
- Foster curiosity and problem-solving skills by getting out to the playground, inviting the neighbors’ kids over, or exploring surroundings near your home.
- Develop creativity and independence by spending an afternoon building a fort, doing a nature scavenger hunt, or taking a bike ride to the park or splash pad.
- Improve mood stabilization and healthy sleep cycles by simply getting the kids out into the sun for some Vitamin D!
4. Incorporate “smart” and pretend play
Incorporating "smart play" into summer activities keeps kids engaged while strengthening critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills that will help make the transition back to school smoother:
- Games and puzzles provide an opportunity for kids to brush up on academic concepts without even realizing they're learning.
- For younger children, pretend play nurtures creativity and builds social skills. If you have to be indoors, consider using props or costumes to help kids step into different roles the help them explore emotions and build confidence.
5. Reduce screen time with alternative activities
While screens can be an easy way to keep kids occupied, excessive screen time has been linked to increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, and reduced attention spans. Creating a balanced approach to screen time helps children develop healthy habits while encouraging them to engage in other activities.
If kids do use screens:
- Opt for educational content and interactive experiences like virtual museum or zoo cameras, documentaries, language-learning apps, or coding programs.
- Set expectations — set a timer! Tell your kids that after a certain amount of time, they’ll move on to independent play or switch to an activity that you can do as a family.
- Watch along with them, if you have to. Depending on how young your kids are, watching age-appropriate shows or movies can expose them to more complex narrative storytelling and new ideas about the world around them.
Summer can be a time for growth and fun.
Summer break is a time for kids to rest, recharge, and explore new interests, but it doesn’t have to mean a pause in learning or growth. By creating a flexible routine, encouraging a love of reading, prioritizing outdoor play, incorporating smart games, and reducing excessive screen time, parents can help their children stay engaged, curious, and connected all summer long.
