Free Summer Activities for School Age Children At Home In School and Outdoors

Fun Summer Activities for Homeschooling, Daycare Providers, Parents, and Summer School Programs

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, homeschooling parents, daycare providers, and summer school teachers are seeking ways to keep students engaged and motivated. What better way to bridge the gap between learning and leisure than through summer-themed educational activities? In this blog post, I will explore a range of engaging ideas that can be incorporated into both the classroom and community, ensuring a fruitful and enjoyable summer learning experience for students.

Explore Nature's Classroom:

Take advantage of the beautiful weather and explore the wonders of nature. Plan field trips to local parks, botanical gardens, or nature reserves. Encourage students to observe and document plants, insects, and animals they encounter. Have them create nature journals or sketchbooks to record their findings, and encourage discussions about the importance of environmental conservation.

Free Outdoor Summer Scavenger Hunt Checklist

Dive into Literature:

Summer is the perfect time to dive into captivating stories. Select a collection of summer-themed books and novels that align with your students' reading levels and interests. Organize reading circles where students can discuss their favorite parts, characters, or themes. Encourage them to create book reviews, write alternative endings, or even adapt their favorite stories into short plays or skits.

Free Summer Reading Finger Play

Embrace Science and Math in the Kitchen:

Cooking and baking provide ample opportunities for hands-on learning. Design a series of summer-themed recipes that integrate math and science concepts. From measuring ingredients to understanding chemical reactions during baking, students can explore fractions, ratios, and the science behind their favorite dishes. Encourage them to create recipe cards, complete with step-by-step instructions and nutritional information.

Free Life Skills Math Reading a Recipe Activity

Community Service Projects:

Engage students in meaningful community service projects that align with summer themes. For instance, organize a beach clean-up day or collaborate with a local gardening initiative to help maintain community gardens. By participating in such activities, students learn about social responsibility and gain a sense of accomplishment, all while enjoying the summer sunshine.

We Live Here Too!: Kids Talk about Good Citizenship

(Award Winning Book)

Cultural Exploration:

Summer is a great time to explore various cultures and traditions from around the world. Choose a different country or region each week and explore its unique customs, history, and traditions. Students can create presentations, prepare traditional foods, or even learn a few phrases in the local language. This activity fosters global awareness and encourages appreciation for diversity.

Free Vocabulary Activities for Country Research Project

Outdoor Science Experiments:

Take science lessons outside! Engage students in outdoor experiments that explore natural phenomena. For example, conduct experiments on the properties of water by setting up a water station where students can observe evaporation, condensation, and even make their own rain gauges. Additionally, teach them about solar energy by building simple solar ovens to cook a summer snack like s'mores.

Free Sink or Float Experiment for Kids

Arts and Crafts Galore:

Encourage creativity and artistic expression by organizing summer-themed arts and crafts sessions. Students can create sun catchers, design their own beach-themed t-shirts, or paint seashells. Incorporate elements of art history or introduce famous artists who were inspired by summer landscapes. This activity stimulates imagination and enhances fine motor skills.

Free Parts of a Plan Craft Activity for Interactive Notebooks

With these engaging summer-themed activities, homeschooling parents and summer school teachers can ensure a productive and enjoyable learning experience during the summer break. By embracing the outdoors, literature, science, and art, students can continue their educational journey while exploring the world around them. Remember, learning can be fun and immersive, even during the sunny days of summer. So, let's make this season an unforgettable one filled with knowledge, curiosity, and adventure!

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.

Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Promoting-Success

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Unleashing the Educational Power of Scavenger Hunts: A Guide for Teachers and Parents

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunts for Kids

Science, Math, Reading, Nature, and More!

Scavenger hunts are more than just a thrilling adventure for students; they provide valuable learning opportunities that engage young minds and foster a sense of exploration. In this blog post, I'll delve into the educational value of indoor and outdoor scavenger hunt checklists. We'll explore a variety of exciting scavenger hunt themes based on one of my most popular resources found HERE, including Wilderness Explorer, Math All Around, Reading Safari, and more. Please note that these scavengers are now editable via a CANVA template.

Want to try before you buy? 

Please click HERE for a free school supplies scavenger hunt, or click HERE for a free outdoor scavenger hunt.

Let's discover how the activities in the first resource above can benefit your students' development and ignite their love for learning!

Wilderness Explorer: The Wilderness Explorer scavenger hunt takes your students on an outdoor journey, connecting them with nature and promoting environmental awareness. As they search for specific plants, animals, or natural landmarks, your students develop observation skills, learn about biodiversity, and enhance their appreciation for the natural world.

Indoor Adventure: Indoor Adventure scavenger hunts are perfect for rainy days or classroom settings. By searching for specific objects or clues indoors, your students enhance their visual discrimination skills, practice following instructions, and develop critical thinking abilities. These hunts can be customized to reinforce various topics or concepts, making learning engaging and interactive.

Math All Around: Math All Around scavenger hunts transform math into a real-world adventure. By searching for mathematical concepts, such as shapes, patterns, or measurements, your students practice applying mathematical knowledge in everyday contexts. These hunts promote problem-solving skills, strengthen number sense, and make math exciting and tangible.

Science All Around: Science All Around scavenger hunts ignite your students' curiosity and foster scientific inquiry. These hunts stimulate knowledge and understanding of science vocabulary terms and develop observation skills.

Reading Safari: Reading Safari scavenger hunts make reading an adventure! Your students search for specific books, genres, or literary elements within a library or classroom. These hunts promote literacy skills, encourage independent reading, and cultivate a love for books and storytelling.

Color Craze Challenge: Color Craze Challenge scavenger hunts help your students develop color recognition and visual discrimination skills. By searching for specific colors in their environment, students enhance their ability to identify and categorize hues, strengthening their visual perception abilities.

Shape Sleuth Adventure: Shape Sleuth Adventure scavenger hunts turn shape recognition into an exciting quest. Your students search for objects or items with specific shapes, honing their geometry skills and visual-spatial understanding. These hunts enhance shape identification and promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Schoolwide Challenge: Schoolwide Challenge scavenger hunts encourage collaboration and school spirit. By involving the entire school community, students work together to foster teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of belonging.

Shop ‘Til You Drop: Shop 'Til You Drop scavenger hunts provide a practical learning experience. Your students navigate stores or markets, searching for specific items or practicing money skills. These hunts develop financial literacy, decision-making abilities, and enhance real-world problem-solving skills.

Playground Explorer: Playground Explorer scavenger hunts combine physical activity with cognitive engagement. Students search for specific playground equipment, engage in active play, and enhance their gross motor skills while building observation and spatial awareness abilities.

How about one more freebie? Just right click to save the image.

Scavenger hunts offer a wealth of educational benefits, stimulating students' curiosity, and making learning enjoyable. Whether indoors or outdoors, these activities provide opportunities for students to explore, problem-solve, collaborate, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. By incorporating various scavenger hunt themes like Math All Around, Reading Safari, or Wilderness Explorer, we can create exciting learning experiences that cater to students' diverse interests and learning styles.

Teachers and parents can leverage scavenger hunts to enhance academic skills, promote critical thinking, foster social interaction, and nurture a sense of adventure. By adapting the scavenger hunt themes to align with specific subjects or learning objectives, educators can seamlessly integrate these activities into their curriculum, making learning more engaging and memorable.

To maximize the educational value of scavenger hunts, consider the following tips:

Set Clear Objectives: Determine the learning outcomes you want to achieve through the scavenger hunt. Align the hunt with specific skills or knowledge you want students to develop or reinforce.

Customize for Different Age Groups: Tailor the complexity and scope of the scavenger hunt to suit the age and developmental level of the students participating. Provide age-appropriate challenges and tasks that encourage growth and success.

Incorporate Collaboration: Encourage teamwork and collaboration by assigning students to pairs or small groups. This fosters communication, cooperation, and the sharing of ideas, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Integrate Technology: Incorporate technology tools like QR codes, online resources, or educational apps to add an interactive and digital component to the scavenger hunt. This integration can enhance engagement and provide additional learning opportunities.

Reflect and Debrief: Conclude the scavenger hunt with a reflection session where students can share their experiences, discoveries, and challenges. This allows for deeper understanding, critical thinking, and the opportunity to connect the activity to broader concepts or real-life applications.

Remember, safety should always be a top priority. Ensure that the scavenger hunt takes place in a secure environment, with appropriate supervision and consideration for any potential hazards.

Scavenger hunts offer a refreshing alternative to traditional teaching methods, inspiring a love for learning, promoting active participation, and nurturing students' natural curiosity. By incorporating a variety of engaging scavenger hunt themes like Schoolwide Challenge, Shape Sleuth Adventure, or Reading Safari, we can create dynamic and interactive educational experiences that leave a lasting impact on students' academic journey.

So, let the adventure begin! Explore the endless possibilities of scavenger hunts, unleash your creativity, and witness the joy and excitement that these activities bring to students' education.

Happy hunting!

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.

Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Promoting-Success

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Country Research Project for Kids - Free Template Worksheets

If you are planning and preparing for a country research project for your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students, the printable and digital PDF resources and information in this teacher blog post will be very helpful.

First, let's start with a free activity to review some essential vocabulary words prior to your students starting the project. Please click HERE for this free download.

Vocabulary words in this download include:

1. multiculturalism
2. acceptance
3. stereotype
4. ethnocentrism
5. globalization
6. inclusion
7. acculturation
8. pluralism
9. diversity
10. multilingual
11. prejudice
12. heritage
13. assimilation
14. tolerance
15. empathy
16. intercultural
17. ethnicity
18. mosaic
19. discrimination
20. symbols

I also offer a fully comprehensive country research project resource that includes templates, worksheets, report writing, presentations, rubrics, and more. Please click HERE to check it out.

Top 10 Spring Activities for Elementary Students

Spring Classroom Activities and Crafts for Kids

Fun and Educational!

As we approach the end of the school year, it's important for me to take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of all you teachers! This past year has been particularly challenging with teacher shortages, increased work loads, and behavior challenges.

Despite these challenges, YOU have continued to inspire and motivate your students, providing them with a safe and supportive learning environment. As we head towards the end of the school year, it's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing work of all of you and to help you explore some fun and educational classroom games and activities that can keep students engaged and motivated until the very end.

As the weather warms up and the flowers start to bloom, it's the perfect time to incorporate fun and educational classroom games and activities that celebrate spring. Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. Planting and Gardening Activities:

Spring is the perfect time to introduce your students to gardening and planting. You could start by having your students plant seeds in small cups or containers, and watch as they sprout and grow over the course of a few weeks. You could also have them create their own mini gardens using a variety of materials, such as soil, rocks, and plants.

Free Parts of a Plant Craft Activity

2. Spring Scavenger Hunt:

Create a list of spring-related items for your students to find around the classroom or schoolyard. Items could include flowers, birds, insects, and other signs of spring. This activity is not only fun, but also helps students to develop their observation skills and knowledge of the natural world.

Free Summer Scavenger Hunt Checklist

3. Spring Themed Art Projects:

Get your students' creative juices flowing with spring-themed art projects. Students can create spring-themed paintings, drawings, or collages using materials such as construction paper, paint, and markers. You could also have them create their own 3D flowers or other spring-themed objects using clay or other materials.

From Amazon Associate store, set of 24 Spring Gnomes:

Here is a cute way to make spring flowers for your bulletin board:

Materials:

Colored paper

Scissors

Glue

Pencil or pen

Instructions:

Give each student a piece of colored paper.

Ask them to fold the paper in half, and then in half again, so that they end up with a small square.

Have them draw a half flower shape on the folded paper, starting at the top and going down to the folded edge.

Next, have them cut out the half flower shape through all the layers of paper.

Once they have cut out the flower shape, they can unfold the paper to reveal a flower with four petals.

Have them repeat steps 2-5 with different colors of paper to create a variety of flowers.

Finally, they can glue the flowers onto a larger piece of paper or cardstock to create a spring scene.

4. Spring Writing Prompts:

Encourage your students to explore the theme of spring through writing prompts. These could include writing about their favorite spring activities, creating a descriptive paragraph about a particular flower or plant, or writing a short story that takes place in spring.

Free Spring Writing Papers

Here are five creative writing prompts to get you started:

1. Imagine you are a bee, buzzing around the flowers on a sunny spring day. Write a story about your adventures, the flowers you visit, and the other animals you meet along the way.
2. Spring is a time for new beginnings. Write a story about a caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly and all the challenges it faces along the way.
3. Think about your favorite outdoor activity in the spring. It could be playing soccer, jumping in puddles, or flying kites. Write a story about a character who loves this activity as much as you do.
4. Spring is a time for growth and renewal. Write a story about a garden that is just starting to bloom. What kinds of flowers and plants are growing there? Who takes care of the garden, and what challenges do they face?
5. Imagine you are a bird that has just flown back north after spending the winter in a warmer climate. Write a story about your journey home, the sights and sounds you encounter along the way, and the excitement of reuniting with your family and friends.

5. Spring Science Experiments:

Spring provides a great opportunity to conduct science experiments that explore the natural world. For example, you could have your students investigate how plants grow by placing seeds in different environments and observing their growth. You could also have them explore the life cycles of insects, or study the properties of water and how it affects plant growth.

From Amazon Associate store: Sprout and Grow Window Plant Kit

6. Spring Bingo: 

Create a spring-themed bingo game with images of flowers, insects, and other spring-related items. This is a fun way to reinforce vocabulary and observation skills while also having fun.

7. Spring Cooking Activities:

Spring is a great time to introduce your students to healthy eating habits and teach them how to cook simple, healthy meals. You could have them make their own salads with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, or have them create a healthy smoothie with fresh fruit and yogurt.

8. Spring Poetry: 

Encourage your students to explore the beauty of spring through poetry. You could have them write haikus or other types of poems that celebrate the season, or read and analyze famous spring-themed poems by poets such as William Wordsworth or Emily Dickinson.

A haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines. The first and third lines contain five syllables, while the second line contains seven syllables. Haikus often focus on images from nature and aim to capture a fleeting moment or feeling.

Here are some to get you started:

Blossoming flowers,

Warmth and light fill the air,

Spring has arrived here.

Birds chirping softly,

Butterflies dance in the breeze,

Nature awakens.

From Amazon Associate store: A Mindful Journey Through Nature - Haiku Adventure ( for Kids Ages 6-10): To Practice Mindfulness With Fun Activities; Meditation, Coloring, Nature Walk, Poetry for Kids

9. Spring Math Activities:

Incorporate spring-themed math activities into your curriculum to reinforce mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, and measurement. For example, you could have your students count and graph the number of flowers or insects they observe in the classroom or outside, or measure the growth of plants over time.

10. Spring Cultural Celebrations:

Spring is celebrated in different ways around the world. Take the opportunity to teach your students about cultural celebrations such as Holi in India, Sakura in Japan, or Easter in many parts of the world. Have your students learn about the customs and traditions associated with these celebrations, and participate in related activities such as creating traditional crafts or trying traditional foods.

Stay tuned for a reading comprehension activity on how different cultures celebrate May Day!

By incorporating a variety of fun and educational classroom games and activities for spring, you can keep your students engaged and motivated while also helping them learn important skills and knowledge.

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.

Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Promoting-Success

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Types of Rocks and Rock Cycle STEM Activities and Project Ideas for Elementary and Middle School Students

 Are you an elementary or middle school science teacher looking for some interesting and challenging rock cycle activities and projects?

It would be even better if they were STEM/STEAM (including art) projects. As I'm sure you know, STEM projects are hands-on learning activities that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. These projects aim to encourage students to use critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills to design, create, and test solutions to real-world problems. STEM projects can be designed to suit different age groups and skill levels, and can be adapted to different subject areas and learning goals. These projects often involve designing and building prototypes, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings. The goal of STEM projects is to prepare students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in STEM fields and contribute to solving complex global challenges.

Here are seven great ideas to get your students started:

1. Rock Cycle Models: 

Students can create physical models or diagrams to illustrate the various processes and stages of the rock cycle. This project can involve a range of materials, such as clay, paper mache, or found materials.

2. Igneous Rock Identification: 

Students can research and identify different types of igneous rocks and create a display showcasing their findings. They can also examine the properties and characteristics of each type of rock, such as color, texture, and composition.

3. Sedimentary Rock Formation: 

Students can simulate the formation of sedimentary rocks using a variety of materials such as sand, gravel, and clay. They can also test the properties of the rocks they create, such as hardness and permeability.

4. Metamorphic Rock Experiment: 

Students can create their own metamorphic rocks by subjecting different types of rocks to heat and pressure. They can observe and record the changes that occur and compare the properties of the original rocks to the metamorphic rocks they create.

5. Rock Cycle Videos: 

Students can create videos explaining the rock cycle and its different stages. They can use animations, illustrations, or live-action footage to illustrate their explanations.

6. Rock Cycle Board Games: 

Students can create board games that teach players about the rock cycle. The game can include trivia questions, challenges, and activities related to the different stages of the rock cycle.

7. Virtual Field Trip: 

Students can research different rock formations and take a virtual field trip to see them in person. They can use online resources such as Google Earth, virtual tours, or interactive maps to explore different geological formations and learn about their characteristics and history.

8. Rock Cycle Painting: 

Students can create a painting that illustrates the rock cycle, starting with the formation of igneous rocks and ending with the formation of sedimentary rocks. This activity can incorporate art techniques such as blending colors to show the changes in the rock's appearance.

9. Virtual Rock Cycle Lab: 

Students can use online simulation software to conduct virtual experiments on the rock cycle. This activity can help students visualize the processes that occur during the rock cycle and make predictions based on the data they collect.

10. Rock Cycle Sculpture: 

Students can create a three-dimensional sculpture that shows the different stages of the rock cycle. This activity can incorporate engineering skills as students design and construct the sculpture using a range of materials.

11. Rock Cycle Storytelling: 

Students can create a story or comic that tells the story of a rock's journey through the rock cycle. This activity can incorporate writing and illustration skills, as well as scientific knowledge of the rock cycle.

12. Rock Cycle Sorting Game: 

Students can play a game where they sort different types of rocks into categories based on their properties and characteristics. This activity can help students develop their observation and classification skills.

13. Rock Cycle Music Video: 

Students can create a music video that explains the rock cycle and its different stages. This activity can incorporate songwriting, music production, and video editing skills, as well as scientific knowledge of the rock cycle.

14. Rock Cycle Geocaching: 

Students can create a geocaching activity where they hide rocks at different locations and provide clues that lead to the next location. This activity can incorporate GPS technology, as well as scientific knowledge of the rock cycle.

These projects can help students understand the various processes and stages of the rock cycle and develop their skills in STEM subjects subjects such as geology, chemistry, and engineering.

15. Rock Tumbler:

Students can design and build a rock tumbler that can simulate the natural process of erosion that occurs during the rock cycle. The tumbler may use mechanical forces to grind and polish rocks, creating smooth, polished stones that can represent different stages in the rock cycle.

You may also be interested in these printable types of rocks and rock cycle activities in my Promoting Success store on TPT:

Free Rock Cycle Vocabulary Quiz

Rocks and Minerals Bundle of Activities

You may also like these educational science products from my Amazon Associate store:

STEM Toy Rock Science Kit Geology Mineral Specimen For Kid Geologists

National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit

Please CLICK HERE to see popular Amazon science resources for teachers and kids.

Please feel free to message me with any requests or comments.

Thank you so much!

❤️ Shelly Anton

Promoting Success for You and Your Students!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Promoting-Success

 

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!