Summertime Learning Games

It is finally summer! Everyone is looking forward to several months away from school. But, how will your child stay sharp over the summer, and not forget the valuable lessons learned during the school year? There are many fun ways to "practice" school skills, and have fun at the same time. Here are just a few. Use these as starters. Then be creative and you'll find lots of other ways to have fun and learn in the good old summertime.

Money Riddles: Ask your child simple money riddles such as, "I have four coins that equal 21 cents. What are they?" These kinds of questions give your child good practice with mental money figuring.

Newspaper Math: Search through the newspaper for mathematical data. Look for numbers in the news. Can you find the following things in the newspaper: a graph, a number less than 10, a number more than 50, a number more than 100, a number that is more than 100 but less than 999, a number that is more than 1,000, more that 10,000, more than a million, something that comes in 2's, 3's, 4's, something that comes in a dozen, today's date, yesterday's date, the days of the week, the months of the year, a symbol or word for inches, feet, or yards, a schedule of some kind, a triangle, circle, or square, a weather symbol, a percent sign, sports statistics. How else are numbers used in the newspaper?

Board Game Fun: Playing board games can be another way to practice math, spelling, or vocabulary. Simply add the rule that each player must spell a word, answer a number fact, or a vocabulary question before taking a turn. Choose the questions from material you want to review with your child. This is even a great way to "review" for an upcoming test during the school year. Before each turn ask your child a question related to the subject being studied. When it is your turn, let your child ask YOU a question on the same material.

Games for the Car:

Here are some fun games to play in the car whether you are going on a long trip, or just a short trip to the store.

Using the Alphabet: Find words on signs, or objects seen from the car in alphabetical order. Take turns, or just keep track of the letter you are on as everyone in the car keeps an eye out for the right word or object.

License Plate Math: Use the numbers you see on a plate to do some quick mental math. Add the numbers. If there are two sets of numbers, add them both and then find the difference. Set a target number such as 10. See who can find a plate that has numbers on it that add to that target number. Can you multiply two of the numbers, and then divide by the third? Try different mental calculations with the numbers on any license plate.

Numbers in the Real World: On a piece of paper, list the numbers from 1-50, leaving the rest of the line after each number blank. While you are riding, find signs, street signs, house numbers, and any other numbers you see to fill all the lines. Play individually for a certain length of time, or have everyone in the car take turns and see who can fill in the most lines.

License Plate Fun: Keep track of the different state license plates you see while driving. Which state has the most? Which state has the least? Which state is the farthest away? Which state has the most unusual plate? What is the most common license plate color? What can you learn about a state from its plate? What other license plate facts can you learn?

Just for the Kids:

When you're stuck for something fun to do this summer, check out these ideas:

Read a book of magic tricks.
Learn a few and perform them.
Put on a show.
Learn a new song. Then teach it to someone else.
Write a song or poem or story.
Write a letter to a friend.
Create an unusual sandwich.
Make your Mom lunch for a change.
Read a joke book.
Learn a few jokes to try out on your friends.
Begin a collection of anything. Be sure to ask your Mom first!!!
Read a new book.
Read an old book.
Go to the library.
Paint a picture, sketch a person or animal, make a collage.
Do a word puzzle. Try to make one for a friend.
Go outside.
Ride your bike.
Climb a tree.
Play with your friends.
Bird watch. Set up a backyard feeder. Look up the many kinds of birds you'll see in your yard. Learn to recognize them. Listen to their calls. Can you start to identify birds just by hearing them? Build a birdhouse to encourage birds to nest in your yard.

Enjoy summer!! It is only 95 days long!

Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.