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Kids Should Soak Up Some SUMMER LEARNING Along with the Sun

Summer is a great time for children to kick back, relax and most importantly, have fun. However, just because school is out doesn’t mean that children need to forgo learning in the pursuit of having fun. Parents can foster learning throughout the warm-weather months with these simple ideas:

Solar Power

The sun is an awe-inspiring star, which has the potential to do more than just provide the ideal warm day for a dip in the pool. Kids can build their own solar-powered ovens that can heat up s’mores, cookies and other snacks with just a few simple supplies and a bright, sunny day.

Kid’s Solar Oven

Supplies: Shoe box, popsicle stick,

scissors, aluminum foil, treat to heat

Instructions:

1. Line the inside of the box and the lid with aluminum foil. Tape the foil to the edges to keep it in place.

2. Cut a flap in the lid of the box. It should be one inch from the three sides of the lid. Fold the reflecting lid back so it sticks up. Put tape around the edges of the opening to keep the foil in place.

3. Place the lid back on the box and use the popsicle stick and tape to keep the reflective flap open.

4. Place the box in the sun with a treat inside of the box. It could take a while, but depending upon the sun’s intensity you can warm up a snack to enjoy. It may be very hot, so be careful.

Water Works

What goes better with a warm, sunny day than something to keep kids cool? Water toys are ideal when it’s hot, but parents can also encourage learning in addition to cooling off.

One suggestion is Linky Sprinks: The Thinking, Linking, Sprinkling Toy™. With this toy, kids create their own sprinkler system and learn about water flow, water control and water pressure. Using the pipes, joints, connectors, valves, pressure gauges, and sprinkler heads provided, children determine where the water will go and flow. They can execute a design of their choice, and enjoy the “cool” results, unknowingly being introduced to principles of fluid mechanics as they play.

“My 6-year-old son was fascinated with how sprinkler systems worked,” says Thomas Schellhardt, creator of Linky Sprinks. “He would watch me fix the sprinkler system in our yard, and then ask me to sketch out designs for him, so that he could build a sprawling creation of his own across the lawn.”

Sand & Surf

There’s more to the beach than sandcastles. The wildlife that inhabits marine areas is something kids aren’t exposed to on a daily basis, which makes seaside learning that much more exciting.

Children can become amateur marine biologists with just a few items. A small colander or wire strainer makes a great collection device for skimming the surf. Children can catch shells, small fish, snails and other wonders of the ocean to examine and release. Plastic mesh bags that typically house sand shovels and buckets can be used to store shells or other treasures collected. A pair of swim goggles allows kids to peer beneath the surface of the water or in shallow pools that collect on the sand.

Binoculars and a sketchbook are also a great addition to surfside lounging. Kids can spy seagulls and other birds and scope out ships and sailboats on the horizon. Then they can sketch scenes in their book to take home and frame later on.

For those who want to play and build in the sand, Sand Molds—shapes, letters, and numbers—teach children how to recognize the alphabet, numbers and common shapes. Kids can press the molds into sand in a sandbox or at the beach. When the weather isn’t cooperating, they can use the molds indoors with clay or homemade dough.

Are We There Yet?

Most parents know that the car ride to and from summertime activities can be a drag for children—and for you—when they’re constantly asking how much longer. Beat backseat boredom with activities that keep kids’ minds stimulated.

Fun games like naming the states on license plates, looking for particular car colors or types and familiar children’s songs can work. Or, boost up the educational level a little more with Learning Wraps, a learning tool that helps children build proficiency with facts in math, language, science, music and more. These self-contained items are easy to tote along.

Courtesy of Metro Editorial Services.