Every parent understands that even with the best intentions at the beginning of summer, time can slip away unexpectedly. Suddenly, it’s time for a new school year, and your little one hasn’t engaged in any educational activities for two whole months. You're definitely not alone in this! We totally get it. The "Summer Slide" is one of those tricky and all-too-common challenges that many families face during the break. So, what is the summer slide, and why does it matter? Summer slide describes the learning loss that happens over the summer when kids are out of school.
Kids can lose up to two months of academic progress, especially in math and reading. It’s completely natural, based on how our brains work. After all, how long do any of us remember a newly learned skill if we don‘t use it again for weeks?
Sure, kids need a break. But slowing or even eliminating summer slide doesn’t mean 6-hour days at a desk. Fitting in a bit of practice here and there can be a seamless way to keep kids moving in the right direction: forward!
School Zone’s mission of helping parents and teachers support year-round learning lets you put the brakes on summer slide! Explore our parent-focused ideas for summer learning activities that will help you and your child set up for a marvelous summer, with a mix of learning that will help combat the summer slide.
How much learning loss really happens over summer? And who does it affect most?
Multiple studies show that when there is a lack of practice or reinforcement of skills, learnings tend to deteriorate quickly. You can read all about this and other studies in this article from the Brookings Institute. It makes sense though, doesn’t it? Most of us tend to lose skills or learnings if we neglect them over time.
Younger kids are especially vulnerable to this learning loss over summer. Another study, reported by WZZM in West Michigan, noted that students between 2nd and 9th grade can lose up to 30% of their year-long learning over the summer. That’s a staggering number!
Fun educational activities to try this summer
Summer brain boosters can be enjoyable and shouldn't feel like school. Here are some fun options:
• DIY Reading Challenges – Here is a creative list of 48 summer learning possibilities from Waterford. Highlights include:
o Reading a book by flashlight
o Reading a book with a beautiful cover
o Reading a book about a historical character
o Reading under a tree
• Math in the Wild – This fun summer-learning strategy involves doing math anywhere outside the classroom (or living room). Try the following places!
o Grocery store math
o Cooking and measuring while practicing math
o Counting critters at the zoo, the park, etc!
A walk around the neighborhood or a road trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s offers countless counting opportunities. How many birds? How many Jeeps?
• Creative Writing Journals – Story sequencing—what happens first, then next is an important skill. Creativity and critical thinking are essential, too. Depending on their age, all kids really need is a blank pad of paper and a few ideas. Here are a few examples:
o “Write a story about getting lost,”
o “Write a story about finding a treasure,”
o “Write a story about a dog and cat that become friends.”
A variety of kids’ journals available on Amazon can add to the fun and inspiration.
• Backyard Science Experiments – Turn your backyard into a laboratory and show kids how much fun science can be! Check out Tiny Beans’ 14 Backyard Science Experiments for Kids. Or take a look at STEAM-Powered Family’s Backyard Science Experiments for Kids. Here are a few of the highlights to try:
o Baking soda and vinegar bottle rockets
o Pumpkin Volcano
o Ice Cream in a Bag
Screen time that’s actually smart
Screen time often gets a bad rap, usually because of its frequent use as a “pacifier,” which can keep kids from learning how to manage their emotions without a device, or because some kids are spending several hours a day online, which can also be detrimental to their mental well-being. However, National Geographic Kids points out that screen time has both benefits and negatives for kids. It’s essential to select high-quality digital activities, strike a balance between “tech time” and active or creative play (including offline learning), and establish clear boundaries for screen time.
Some of the alternatives to screen time include reading, board games, crafts, outdoor play, collecting, building, baking, and podcasts. And, as it happens, these are wonderful educational summer activities, too!
But how can you lure kids away from devices? Especially on busy days, or during travel? Read “6 Tips to Reduce Children’s Screen Time,” from the Mayo Clinic. Spoiler alert: You’ll learn how to create phone-free zones in the house and be reminded to (gotta’ love this one) “go outside.”
However, when it’s time for screen time, not all screen time is the same. School Zone’s Anywhere Teacher online learning app offers playful screen time with a purpose, and it’s perfect for visual, auditory, and hands-on learners.
Keep the routine light, but consistent
Preventing summer slide does not require heavy lifting. Create a simple summer routine—maybe plan 20–30 minutes of learning in the morning + free play in the afternoon. The goal is to help practice skills, keep kids’ curiosity alive, and manage the mayhem that is summer at home with kiddos in a graceful and productive manner.
Doing a little bit at a time on a regular basis goes a long way.
Think about the following when you’re planning your summer routine:
• Can you set some achievable goals?
• What rhythm works for your family?
• Maybe schedule a few simple and easy “field trips."
• Online research projects are also a great way to stay engaged.
Here are some additional resources for more insights on lists, scheduling, and gathering resources:
• The Mom Hour blog, “A Just-Structured-Enough Summer Schedule for Kids”
• The Stay-at-Home-Teacher blog, “5 Helpful Ways To Create A Summer Learning Plan”
Remember: Consistency combined with variety and balance are key!
Make it a family thing
Spending time together as a family is so essential and can make kids a lot more excited about summer learning. Family time helps build resilience and confidence, boosts academic performances, and teaches skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Learning games for kids can be learning games for everyone—even older siblings and grandparents.
A few collaborative learning activities that are also engaging learning activities include:
• Family reading night, or family literacy night - can be library, school, or community-sponsored events, but you can also host one at home. Have each family member read the same book and discuss it, or let everyone choose a different book within a genre—mystery, nature, or historical figure—and present it as an oral book report.
• Game night with educational games – Introduce kids to the hands-on, roll-the-dice, move-5-spaces world of board games. If your closet shelves come up short, search Amazon for educational board games such as Math Island and Race Across the USA.
• Stargazing + science talks – Have you ever been to a park ranger talk at a county, state, or national park? Become a “ranger” in your own backyard (or nearby destination). For example:
- Get a field guide for moths and butterflies in your area. Drape or hang a white sheet at night, shine a light on it, and see what different types of moths fly in.
- Or keep an eye on websites like Sky and Telescope to track what’s happening in the night sky and use a sky chart and/or telescope to produce some astronomical learning!
School Zone favorites for summer learning
If you're looking to build a simple routine to prevent summer learning loss, School Zone’s flexible and fun tools match your child’s learning style and help prevent the summer slide. Our fun educational activities for kids take many forms!
Our Big Workbooks are a great value, offering over 300 pages of key skill practice by grade level, subject, or activity. The perforated pages make it easy to tear out a few at a time based on the day’s focus. Many are available in both traditional and spiral-bound versions; the latter can fold in half to create a work surface when a desk or table isn’t available. However, because these books are so comprehensive, we don’t recommend handing the entire workbook to a child at once—it can feel overwhelming. Some kids may be motivated by the challenge, but others could feel discouraged. If you're looking to build a simple routine to prevent summer learning loss, School Zone’s flexible and fun tools match your child’s learning style and help prevent the summer slide.
A more approachable option? Build a variety pack with different types of School Zone products, especially the 32- or 64-page workbooks that keep things simple and fun. Think of them as summer workbooks for kids. Try a mix of:
• Skill-specific titles like Addition & Subtraction, Spelling Puzzles, or Phonics Review
• Grade-level resources like Preschool Scholar or Kindergarten Basics
• Activity and sticker workbooks like Hidden Pictures Around the World or Alphabet Sticker Learning
• Start to Read!® Level 1, 2, and 3 early reading books with adorable selections like Jog, Frog, Jog, Peter’s Dream, or The Fabulous Principal Pie.
• Flash cards and game cards like Numbers 0–25, Alphabet Match, or Three-Letter Words Puzzle Cards
For even more ideas, we’ve put together a collection of Summer Smart Picks for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade!
The key is variety, balance, and consistency—and School Zone has everything you need to make that happen!
Keep it fun, keep it moving
Don’t let learning slide away over the summer! Pair School Zone’s fun and skill-building workbooks and flash cards with Anywhere Teacher’s interactive activities to help your child stay sharp. Whether it’s practicing math at the picnic table or spelling indoors on a rainy day, just a few sessions a week can keep those growing minds engaged—without losing the fun of summer!
Looking for more ways to keep brains buzzing? Sign up for School Zone’s emails and special offers, and follow us @schoolzonepub!
Avoid summer slide. Create a smooth glide between school years!
