Summer Fun Activities for Students in Grades 3-5

Jul 15, 2023 by Yolanda Fontanez-Coleman | Summer Resources

Summer is here and it’s the perfect time for fun, discovery, exploration and learning. How can you make summer fun for your kids while learning at the same time? Our team has put together some fun activities for your child to foster learning, discovery and fun!

1. DIY Science Experiments: Engage kids in more complex science experiments that require a bit of problem-solving and critical thinking. They can create a homemade volcano with multiple chambers, build a simple circuit, or make a homemade slime.
2. Outdoor Sports and Games: Organize outdoor sports activities such as soccer, basketball, or tag games. Set up a mini obstacle course or create a relay race. These activities promote physical fitness and teamwork.
3. Gardening: Teach kids about plants and gardening by letting them plant and care for their own garden. They can grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables and learn about the importance of nurturing living things.
4. Photography Challenge: Give kids a camera or a smartphone and assign them a photography challenge. It could be capturing interesting textures, finding patterns in nature, or taking pictures of different colors. This activity encourages creativity and observation skills.
5. DIY Crafts and Projects: Encourage kids to work on DIY crafts or projects, such as building a birdhouse, creating a dream catcher, or making jewelry. They can follow instructions or come up with their own designs.
6. Book Club: Start a book club for kids, where they can choose a book to read together and discuss it. This promotes reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Consider providing incentives like bookmarks or small rewards to keep them motivated.
7. Scavenger Hunt: Create a more challenging scavenger hunt that requires problem-solving and critical thinking. You can provide riddles or clues that lead kids to different locations or objects. This activity promotes teamwork and cognitive skills.
8. Art Workshop: Organize an art workshop where kids can learn and practice different art techniques like drawing, painting, or collage-making. Invite a local artist or parent with artistic skills to lead the workshop.
9. Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a backyard movie night with a projector or a large screen. Let kids choose a movie, bring blankets and snacks, and enjoy the experience of watching a movie under the stars.
10. Virtual Field Trips: Take advantage of online resources to go on virtual field trips. Visit museums, zoos, or historical sites through virtual tours or interactive websites. This allows kids to explore and learn about different places and cultures from the comfort of their homes.