17+ Fun Ideas to Homeschool in the Summer and Inspire Learning
Summer Homeschool Ideas and Activities to Keep Kids Learning Year Round
Are you thinking about homeschooling in the summer?
Summer is the perfect time for homeschool families to follow a more relaxed homeschooling schedule. With more free time in the summer, you can explore creative and fun educational experiences you might not have time for during the regular school year.
I understand the desire for flexibility and fun during these warmer months. Our schedule looks different in the summer than in the colder months because we are outside longer and awake later. Homeschool rhythms and schedules change with the seasons. It is ok to embrace a new routine as the needs of your family change. That is the freedom that homeschooling gives us!
In this article, I discuss creative ideas and practical tips to homeschool in the summer following a more relaxed summer homeschool schedule. These ideas will keep the learning momentum going all summer. I will also cover summer homeschooling ideas for those who would like to incorporate more formal learning into their summer days, and some suggestions for high schoolers. These suggestions cater to a wide variety of homeschooling styles.
You can make this summer a memorable and enriching homeschooling experience for you and your family!
17 Fun Summer Homeschooling Ideas
Summer is a time to try new things in your homeschool. Summer is also a great opportunity to explore new interests as well. Remember to keep it simple though. We don’t want to pack our schedule full of activities and overwhelm ourselves. Remember to leave some time in your school schedule to relax and recharge, because we don’t always get that during the traditional school year.
Here are some summer homeschooling ideas to get you started:
1. Try Some Summer-Inspired Unit Studies
FREE unit studies. You can make a unit study about any topic you choose! If you’re looking for a pre-made summer unit study, try this FREE Tree unit study and lapbook from Homeschool Share. This would pair perfectly with their Lorax unit study. Homeschool Share’s website offers numerous other FREE unit studies and lapbooks, geared toward elementary aged students.
Choose unit studies that get kids outside. The Waldock Way has a great selection of unit studies that are unique and fun for elementary and middle school aged students. This Survival Skills unit study looks like a great option for summer, or maybe this MiniBeast unit study would be a great choice to get kids outside.
Science Unit Studies. Living Life and Learning has some great life science unit studies and earth science unit studies. They also offer a great homeschool planner for unorganized moms like myself! Feel free to download my FREE Human Body Unit Study to switch things up!
Unit studies for animal lovers. Be Naturally Curious offers fun unit studies like A Wide World of Vertebrates and A Butterfly’s Evening Adventure. We have tried their unit studies in our homeschool and found them enjoyable.
Try a nature or science curriculum. Check out this list of the 9 best nature curriculums to add to your homeschool. Or browse this list of the best homeschool secular science curriculum options. There are so many fun options to choose from!
2. Incorporate Fun Writing Projects
Journaling. Encourage children to write daily in a journal or gratitude journal. You could make a list of fun journal prompts like: “If you could be one animal, what would you be and why?” or “if you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?” Kids will have fun coming up with answers so writing won’t feel like a chore. You could try monthly journaling to set goals together and reset your minds for the upcoming month.
Affirmations. Introduce kids to affirmations, and have them write one out daily. This helps children develop a Growth Mindset. Affirmations are great for moms too, so go ahead and give it a try!
Try Funschooling. The Thinking Tree offers a plethora of unique “funschooling” workbooks in all subject areas for grades K-12. Their science workbooks or journals would be a fun idea for summertime. This Adventure Handbook looks interesting, or maybe this Nature Study and Outdoor Science Journal.
Get some MadLibs books. MadLibs is a fun way to practice the parts of speech during the summer. Try the Summer Fun Mad Libs Junior book or this Vacation Mad Libs book.
Try some of Critical Thinking Company’s products. Critical Thinking Co has a fun workbook called Creative Problem Solving in which students are must draw or explain a workable solution to a given problem or obstacle. Critical Thinking Co offers so many different workbooks that are engaging and interesting for kids across all academic subjects.
Consider using BraveWriter. BraveWriter is a unique homeschool writing curriculum with creative and practical writing projects. We have used it in our homeschool and the projects are so fun and engaging. Our favorites were the fairy tale projects. BraveWriter caters to students ranging from preschool age up to 12th grade. The curriculum is flexible and relaxed, and projects can be completed whenever it is the most convenient. You can also browse this list of 21+ options to homeschool Language Arts to get some more ideas.
3. Spend Lots of Time Outside
Prioritize physical exercise. Try to make sure kids get enough physical activity while outside. This doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple 10-15 minute walk, hike, or bike ride will do the trick, or you can opt to head to the park or maybe the local swimming pool to get some movement and exercise in.
Get something new for the backyard. You can get something new and exciting like a volleyball net or a new sprinkler for those hot summer afternoons. If you make it really fun to be outside, it will be easier to get the kids out there!
Science Experiments. Try one of these 72 easy science experiments from We Are Teachers with materials you probably already have at home.
Go Geocaching. Geocaching is a great way to get outside and encourage kids to work together to solve a problem. Plus, it’s fun when you locate the geocache and finally get to see what’s inside.
Get ideas from Discover the Forrest. Discover the Forrest has a selection of outdoor activities and links to help you get started with your outdoor adventures.
4. Get in Some Math Practice
Take math outdoors. Wild Math is a flexible and nature-based math curriculum. that takes math outdoors. The curriculum consists of engaging activities, lessons, and games. For days when you cannot go outside, there are reading recommendations and game ideas to fill the time and practice math skills. We use Wild Math in our homeschool, and I highly recommend it!
Choose a backyard project! You can keep it simple by doing something like building a birdhouse together. Kids will learn measurement, area, and more through hands-on experience. Check out these simple homemade birdhouse ideas from Fab Party Planning Mom, or this wooden birdhouse tutorial from 100 Things 2 Do. A birdhouse project would pair nicely with this FREE Bird Watching Journal and ID Cards pack from Freedom Homeschooling.
Watch NumberBlocks. For younger kids, check out NumberBlocks. This show made my youngest child LOVE math and he sees it as a fun activity even now that he is older.
Explore the beauty of math in nature. Be Naturally Curious has a fun unit study called Numbers in Nature which helps children explore the Fibonacci sequence and the related Golden Ratio in the natural world around us. Kids will learn to see patterns of numbers and shapes in nature, develop a deeper understanding of sequences and sets, and realize the power of mathematics in the world around us.
Try gamified math. Prodigy is a fun and FREE online math game that my children have loved using. Students answer math questions to defeat different opponents. The free version will suffice for most families, but you can upgrade to a paid membership so your homeschooler can have fun perks like extra pets, etc.
Expand mathematical thinking: Brilliant.org is a great option for middle and high schoolers to sharpen their math skills. It is an interactive and engaging way to learn complex math concepts.
Suggested Math Workbooks for Summer Learning:
Evan-Moore has many options for math workbooks and extra practice in multiple subjects.
The Critical Thinking Co. has unique workbooks encouraging critical thinking and reasoning skills. Their Mathematical Reasoning Series features colorful and engaging pages that my children have enjoyed using. We have also liked using their Math Analogies series and Balance Bender series.
BrainQuest WorkBooks are great and readily available through their website or on Amazon. They even have workbooks specifically meant for summer break.
5. Make Weekly Library Trips and Read Together Often
Read aloud books. Pick a few living books to read aloud to your children this summer. Check out these comprehensive reading lists from Intentional Homeschooling. The recommendations are great books to start the habit of reading aloud to your children if you are not used to doing it.
Summer reading programs: Libraries usually have summer reading programs or other fun programs you can participate in. You can check your local library’s website or ask them for more information the next time you visit.
Let kids choose their books at the library: Going to the library with a plan helps, but it isn’t necessary. Give kids the freedom to explore and find books they are interested in. If they need help, show them how to search for books on the library’s computers and how to locate them. You can also help them make a book list for themselves before you go.
Try a new magazine subscription! Highlights for Kids has been around for many years and would be a fun choice for summer. We usually pick one or two magazine subscriptions for each homeschool year. National Geographic has magazines for younger children ages 3-6 and another magazine for children ages 7-12. Or you can opt for a traditional National Geographic subscription for older students.
6. Nature Study and Nature Journaling
Try Gardening. Gardening is the ultimate nature study, and if you allow children to choose their plants and care for them, they will be interested and engaged in the learning process. They will also learn some gardening skills, which is a wonderful, relaxing, and fulfilling hobby. If you are a beginner, start a simple summer garden, so it isn’t as overwhelming to care for. So many great gardening resources are out there to help you get started!
Go on scavenger hunts: Check out this list of 75 FREE scavenger hunts for kids from My Joy Filled Life.
Try a Nature Study: Blossom and Root offers curriculums that cover multiple academic subjects, but they also have nature studies within their grade-level bundles that can be purchased individually. We love Blossom and Root’s curriculum in our house because it is so flexible and encourages child-led learning.
Observe nature. You don’t have to follow a nature study to learn and enjoy the natural world. Each of my children has an art journal, and we go outside and draw the things around us. This is a great opportunity for kids to slow down and learn to be more mindful.
Try a butterfly kit: We got our daughter a butterfly kit for her birthday, and she loved it! Children get to see up close how caterpillars form a chrysalis and transform into a beautiful butterfly.
7. Help Kids Learn New Life Skills
Get a planner for the kids. Help children develop good time management and organizational skills by buying or making them a planner. You could also include a chore chart, a daily checklist, or a weekly planner.
Cook Together: Children learn so much from hands-on experience in the kitchen. Cooking together provides a unique opportunity to talk with your children about the food we choose to eat, where it comes from, and how to strive for a healthy lifestyle. Try letting the kids prepare simple lunches for themselves or for the family. Let the kids try making one of these kid-friendly recipes from the Food Network. If you need help with homeschool lunch ideas, click below to download my Homeschool Lunch Meal Planning printables. It’s absolutely free, no email required!
Bake Together. Baking always gives children ample practice with skills like fractions and measurement. I think everyone can agree that chocolate chip cookies are way more interesting than boring worksheets!
Have kids help with yard work: Whether it’s mowing the lawn, watering plants, or raking leaves, helping with yard work helps children learn valuable practical skills and makes them feel like part of the team within the family.
Explore entrepreneurship: Let the kids set up a lemonade stand to learn about counting money and business strategy. Older kids might be more ambitious and want to start a summer business mowing lawns or providing pet care.
8. Learn a New Hobby or Start a New Project
Encourage children to continue with their hobbies: You don’t want kids to forget about projects or hobbies they were working on during the school year. Find a new project for their current hobby. Summer is also a great time for moms to try new hobbies too!
Take a class on Skillshare: There are so many options on Skillshare! Maybe a DSLR Photgraphy course would be fun if you have a camera, or perhaps this course on iPhone photography. There is a class for everyone on Skillshare, with classes ranging from lifestyle to productivity, to creative writing and graphic design.
Try an outdoor hobby: Try something new and get outside! Children can try out things like horseback riding, archery, hiking, gardening, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, etc.
Find FREE tutorials on Instructables: Instructables is an amazing resource with so many opportunities for learning and exploring interests. The best part is, IT’S FREE! Contributors send in step-by-step instructions on how to complete various projects. These projects include hobbies like robotics, woodworking, crotchet, recipes, sewing projects, 3D printing, origami, and more!
Learn about a new hobby on YouTube: YouTube is an endless resource for learning new hobbies. Sometimes it takes a while to sort through and find quality creators on there. Many creators offer tutorials for free or offer courses for a fee on their website. But there is no shortage of free information on YouTube!
Try a homeschool subscription box: Green Kid Crafts offers monthly themed boxes that include 4-6 science and art projects plus a 12-page magazine every month for children ages 3-10. My favorite part about the company is that the crafts are eco-conscious and teach kids about sustainability. There are so many subscription box options, and it’s a fun way to provide hands-on learning experiences to keep kids engaged and excited about learning!
Check local stores for events. The Home Depot has workshops on the first Saturday of every month where kids can learn new skills while completing hands-on projects. Michael’s has a similar program. They offer various workshops and they even have a day camp during the summer. If you have one of these stores near you, it might be a fun activity to try out.
9. Join a Club or Group
Keep kids socializing. Continue to meet up with your homeschool group throughout the summer if possible. You can also see if your child would be interested in a local camp or club for the summer.
Join an Outschool club: Outschool is such a great resource for homeschoolers. We use it regularly in our homeschool. My daughter is in a weekly club for a book series she loves. She looks forward to her Outschool class all week! There are countless options on the website, and there is a club or class for everyone. For us, it has been worth the investment.
Join a 4-H Club: 4-H has so many options! Children and teens complete hands-on projects and receive guidance from adult mentors. 4-H programs cover many subjects such as science, health, agriculture, civic engagement, photography, film-making, and more! Find your local 4-H and see what they have to offer!The 4-H website also offers curriculums for home use covering a wide range of topics.
Start a homeschool summer co-op or club. If there are no options near you, why not start a group yourself? Facebook has been an important resource in my efforts to provide sufficient socialization for my children. Create a summer homeschool meetup group and create events for park meetups and field trips. We usually meet up with our homeschool group weekly.
10. Explore New Places and Travel
Go on virtual field trips. If you cannot travel, you can check out this list of virtual field trip opportunities from Freedom Homeschooling so you can explore new places from the comfort of your own home.
Try roadschooling. Wondering how to keep the kids entertained during a road trip? Try these FREE road trip scavenger hunts from Mom’s Minivan, or buy this pack of road trip trivia questions from BrainQuest. Find games that can be played in the car, or download educational movies or shows to your tablet to watch during the drive.
Go Camping. Nothing makes you slow down and enjoy the moment more than immersing yourself in nature. Kids will experience the natural world up close and personal, and get plenty of physical exercise while outdoors.
Explore local parks. Visit a local park that you haven’t been to in a while, or visit one you have never been to. You might find your new favorite hangout spot this way.
Visit museums. Learn about history by visiting local museums you haven’t been to yet, or museums you have been meaning to revisit. Visiting a children’s museum is a fun (and air-conditioned) activity for kids or a homeschool group. If your child is interested in learning more history, add readings and activities from your favorite homeschool history curriculum.
11. Try a Summer Camp
Attend a local summer camp. Most towns offer summer camps for kids. There are so many fun options to choose from, depending on your child’s interests.
Create a day camp for homeschoolers. If you are feeling ambitious, find a few other moms willing to set up day camp activities for homeschoolers at a local park or library. It doesn’t have to be too extravagant. Remember to keep it simple!
Not Back to School Camp. This is a wonderful option for homeschoolers! Not Back to School Camp caters to unschoolers, homeschoolers, and self-directed learners from ages 13 to 18. Kids can attend a variety of workshops with other like-minded youth. Not Back to School Camping facilities are located in Oregon and Vermont.
Consider Project Worldschool: Project Worldschool offers retreats to various parts of the world. Teenagers can experience other cultures firsthand, participate in meaningful projects while they are there, and make lifelong friends along the way.
12. Create a Summer Time Bucket List
Create a bucket list. Create a homeschool summer bucket list! It can be simple things like collecting fireflies or going on a scavenger hunt, or more complex, like building raised garden beds or learning to change the oil on a car. You can get really creative with this!
13. Connect with Your Local Community
Ask local businesses if they offer tours. You can also schedule tours with local fire departments, police stations, or animal shelters. You would be surprised how willing people are to open their doors and educate children about their profession.
Volunteer as a family. There are so many opportunities for volunteer work in your local area. You can volunteer at libraries, soup kitchens, animal shelters, or other non-profit organizations. Even offering help to your neighbors would be a wonderful way to support others in your community.
Attend a local event or festival. Check your town or county’s local website to see what events are happening this summer. Our town has art festivals, farmer’s markets, concerts, various conventions, and recurring events like Food Truck Tuesdays and Movies in the Park. This could be a great opportunity to teach your children the value of community and shopping locally.
14. Incorporate More Formal Learning if Desired
Hooked on Phonics: Help your child learn to read with Hooked on Phonics. They have been a trusted educational resource for decades.
Power Homeschool: Power Homeschool provides children from PreK to 12th grade with online learning opportunities in all subject areas. They have courses specifically for online summer school.
K12: K12 is a trusted online resource for learning material for students of all ages.
Find Quality YouTube channels: We have so many educational YouTube channels that we love to watch in our family. Some of them include CrashCourse, Kurtzgesagt, and TedEd, to name a few.
Learn a Foreign Language: Try learning a second language with your child! There are so many resources for teaching a foreign language, so gather your resources and start learning today! Spanish is a useful choice for those in the U.S. It is expected that by 2050, 1 in 3 Americans will speak Spanish, including those that speak it as a second language!
Summer Homeschooling Ideas For Teenagers and High Schoolers
You have the freedom to be creative in writing high school transcripts. Any hobbies teens participate in, educational tours, independent projects, apprenticeships, and of course, classes and courses can translate into course credits. Here are some inspiring ideas to get you started:
15. Career Exploration
Attend career fairs. Check your local area for upcoming career fairs. Teens can see what these events are like, and get inspiration for careers they may be interested in.
Go on tours of local businesses. Many businesses offer tours to the public or for private groups. List possible ideas: food production facilities, veterinary clinics, hospitals, or local farms. Start calling around to see if you can set up a tour.
Job shadowing or apprenticeships. After exploring career ideas, you or your teen can call around to see if anyone would be willing to allow them to shadow them on the job or do an apprenticeship. This is an invaluable way to decide if a career field is really what they want to do.
16. Volunteer work
Find local volunteering opportunities. Try a local volunteer search and matching tool to find volunteer opportunities in your local area. You can also call or ask local animal shelters, soup kitchens, community beautification projects, and other organizations to see what volunteer opportunities they have open.
17. Get a Part-time Job or Start a Small Business
Get a part-time job. Teens will learn important life skills while working a part-time job. They will learn responsibility, working as a team member, and money management. Working also provides teens with a sense of accomplishment and independence.
Mow lawns. Mowing lawns is the age-old way for teens to make money in summer! It will also get them some physical exercise. They will learn how to manage their own business and help them refine their organizational skills while they schedule their customers.
Dog walking and pet care. Your teen can make fliers or advertise for a pet care business on social media. It is a great way to earn some cash AND they get to play with some pretty cute pets while they do it!
Babysitting. Teens can complete babysitter training from the Red Cross and offer babysitting services to the local community.
Tutoring. Is your teen passionate about a certain academic subject? See if they would enjoy tutoring other students in that area. This would be a great idea for teens who are interested in a teaching profession.
18. Take a Course at a Local College
Teens can attend the local community college or take a course online. Did you know that homeschooled teens can take college classes during high school? This would be a great way to prep for college AND get some credits out of the way simultaneously. You can check out your local colleges or online schools to see the minimum age or other regulations, which can sometimes vary.
Tips and Tricks on How to Homeschool in the summer
Summer is a wonderful opportunity to adopt a more relaxed homeschooling schedule while continuing to facilitate learning for our children. But it can also be overwhelming for homeschool parents. Try to remember these tips:
Create a Flexible and Relaxed Homeschooling Summer Schedule
Establishing a flexible schedule is the key to balancing summer homeschooling with relaxation. By creating a simple routine that incorporates creative and fun educational activities, kids can stay engaged with learning while still enjoying their summer.
Finding your summer rhythm may take time, but don’t let that discourage you. It is PERFECTLY FINE to have lazy days and cuddle time on the couch watching a movie. We all need time to recharge.
Keep it Simple and Don’t Overdo It
I am a homeschooling mom with ADHD. More often than not, I get excited about all of the possibilities and fun learning activities, and I try to do them all at once. This leads to burnout and feeling overwhelmed.
Over the years I have learned how to keep it simple. Sometimes the slow and simple moments are the most memorable. With less on our to-do list during the summer, we have more time to focus on our children and discover their interests and passions.
Try your best to stay organized so you can be as productive as possible, without burning out. I know it can be overwhelming to balance homeschooling and homemaking duties. Try using your favorite productivity tools to plan your week or track your homeschooling activities. I often lose track of time, so I use timers daily to help me stay on track.
Stay Connected with Your Homeschooling Community
It is important to stay connected with supportive friends and family during the summer months. Many homeschoolers follow a relaxed schedule during the summer, but most groups will still have meetups throughout the summer. Facebook is a great place to search for local homeschooling groups. If there are no active groups in your area, maybe you could start a new one!
Try to read your favorite homeschooling books or listen to homeschooling podcasts to keep yourself motivated and inspired. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves of WHY we started homeschooling in the first place.
Final Thoughts on Homeschooling in the Summer
Homeschooling in the summer offers an incredible opportunity to create a balanced, engaging, fun, and enriching educational experience. Embrace the freedom to explore interests deeply, travel, and learn through hands on experiences.
Summer is also a great time to allow homeschooling to be more relaxed. A simple summer routine will help make sure there is also time in the schedule to recharge. You could even use the summer to see what it would be like to transition to unschooling, which is child-led homeschooling without a set curriculum. If you are interested in learning more about unschooling, explore these unschooling blogs and websites to get you started, or browse this list of the best unschooling books.
By following a relaxed schedule, incorporating outdoor activities, and doing some creative projects, you can make this summer an unforgettable homeschooling experience for the whole family.
What about Winter homeschooling? Plan ahead by checking out this list of the best Secular Christmas Curriculum and Unit Study Ideas to Inspire Students this Holiday Season!
Have a summer birthday in your house? Check out my post on 15 Birthday Journal Prompts for All Ages: Prompts to Reflect on the Past Year.
FAQ
Should our family homeschool in the summer?
This is a very personal question. It depends on your style of homeschooling. If your child follows a strict schedule during the academic school year, you may want to take a longer break in the summer to allow your child to freely explore their interests and engage in free play more often. If you are a relaxed homeschooling family or unschoolers, you may want to simply continue what you usually do on a daily basis and add in summer themed activities. Either way, summer is a time to be more flexible in your scheduling.
What are the benefits of homeschooling in the summer?
When you choose to homeschool year round, you facilitate learning for your homeschool student all summer long. Summer is a great time to allow children to explore their interests in a more relaxed environment. When students are interested and engaged, they learn concepts more deeply. Exploring your child’s interests makes planning the next school year easier and you can create a learning path unique to them that they will enjoy.
What are some summer homeschooling ideas and activities?
You have the opportunity to be creative with summer homeschooling. Some ideas include: summer-inspired unit studies, outdoor science experiments, trips to local museums, gardening, volunteering, joining an online or in-person club, summer camp, starting a new hobby, nature study, regular visits to the library, or incorporating fun math and writing practice. Online courses are a great option for middle and high school students.
What are some tips and tricks for summer homeschooling?
It is important not to overwhelm ourselves and keep it simple. There are so many options for summer homeschooling, it can be hard not to want to try them all! Pick one or two activities to start with. Follow a more relaxed schedule, and don’t overschedule yourself or your family. Valuable learning happens in the slow and intentional moments during your homeschool days. Don’t forget to stay connected with your homeschooling community or supportive friends and family during the summer.
What are some summer homeschooling options for teenagers and high schoolers?
Teens and high schoolers have the opportunity to be more independent during the summer months. Teenagers can learn more about the career fields they are interested in by attending job fairs, job shadowing, or apprenticeships. Volunteering is another great summer homeschooling option for teens. Volunteering connects teens with their community, giving them a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Your teen might like to start a small local business in the summer. Some ideas include mowing lawns, providing pet care, or babysitting. Lastly, teens can attend college courses and earn credit while still in high school.
