Summer Resources
HAPPY SUMMER!
Below are a few ideas that you can use as you plan your summer days with your child at home. These are activities that can be completed before any screen time (phones, video games, computer use or TV) to help balance what their brains are focused on.
1) Making their bed and helping with FAMILY CHORES. Here is a link for age-appropriate responsibilities:
Kids Chores List by Age: The Ultimate List of Age-Appropriate Chores
2) INDEPENDENT READING for 20 minutes. Hopefully your child finds a book or series they are excited about, and you will find them reading more! Here are some great links for reading and for our local library which has many free programs during the summer!
50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12 | Common Sense Media
2025 Summer Reading Lists | Association for Library Service to Children
3) Play OUTDOORS! What a great time to be a kid in nature! A couple of hours of electronics free outdoor play can do wonders for the mind, heart and soul. Here is a checklist of ideas and links for our local park programs:
Backyard fun: 100 things to do outside (for all ages!) ⋆ Take Them Outside
Parks & Recreation | Murfreesboro, TN - Official Website
Barfield Crescent Park | Murfreesboro, TN - Official Website
4) CREATE! Color, craft or make something. Here are some ideas for home and at local businesses. Many are free! You can find inexpensive supplies at your local dollar stores.
Kids Workshops: Activities & Crafts - The Home Depot
Live Learning Video Classes | Michaels
55 Fun and Easy Summer Crafts for Kids
5) SCIENCE FUN! Water play...goop...and make things go...need I say more?
61 Interactive Outdoor Science Experiments and Activities
40 Amazing Summer Science Experiments- Backyard Summer Camp
DIY Science Activities for Kids | Generation Genius Videos & Lessons
Numberblocks | Learning is fun with Learning Blocks | CBeebies shows
6) PLAY A BOARD GAME with your family! Not only can it be fun but supports many math skills and strategies. Here are some classics!
Top 100 Best Board Games - what are yours? The Board Game Family
7) READ ALOUD to your child 20-30 minutes a day. Studies show that this one activity alone can support your child's literacy skills in multiple ways and also helps their test scores! And... guess what? Audiobooks AND graphic novels count! Here are some favorite lists:
I hope you have a WONDERFUL time and enjoy all things SUMMER!