by Samantha J. Adkins

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2009

School's out for summer, but you don't want your child to lose all the progress he or she has made during the school year. Whether you educate your child at home or send them to private or public school, it is very important for your child to get that well-deserved summer break. Summer education needs to be experiential, relaxed and fun. Think more about how you can get your child involved in your summer plans than breaking out workbooks and pencils. Take advantage of good weather and local attractions. Make any activity instantly more fun by inviting some friends along. Here are a few tips and ideas that meet these criteria:

PLAN YOUR SUMMER

Have your child help you surf the internet for summer ideas. Tap into your child's natural interests when looking for local museums, summer activity camps, music festivals, and children's programs. Ask friends for recommendations and to find out what their children are signed up for. If you are able to take a vacation away from home, have your child help you look through maps, book hotels or campsites, find activities and even make a budget. This will keep you from being annoyed as you try to make plans while your child vies for your attention, and will help your child learn important organization and planning skills.

PLANT A GARDEN

Use books or the internet to decide what type or garden you would like to grow together. Depending on your child's interests, you may want to try a butterfly garden, vegetable garden or companion garden. If your child enjoys journaling, he or she can keep a record of what grows and doesn't grow and the types of insects or birds visit your garden.

BAKE OR COOK TOGETHER

Many children love "helping" in the kitchen. Visit a local library or bookstore to find age-appropriate cookbooks. Baking and cooking encourages reading skills, measuring skills and science concepts. To begin, you may enjoy watching a cooking program together to get inspired.

GO TO THE LIBRARY

The library often boosts up their children's programming in the summer. Our library offers incentives for summer reading as well as cooking, crafting and sewing activities for older children. These programs encourage reading and may help your child make new friends when all his or her friends are away for the summer.

DAY CAMPS AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Depending on your child's age, maturity level and interests, a week or two at camp can be a wonderful time for your child to learn and grow. There are many options for camps nowadays and your child can help you decide where he or she would like to go. Research your camp well and phone other parents who have sent their children to camp. If possible, visit the camp ahead of time with your child so both of you have a picture of what the camp will be like.

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