07/18/2026
We know the “summer slide” can be a worry for parents, so we’ve rounded up some fun, “sneaky” ways to keep your student’s mind active and engaged without the traditional classroom stress.
Here are some of our favorite ways to spark joy and curiosity this summer:
For All Ages:
The Library Challenge: Visit your local library, pick out three new books, and rediscover the joy of reading for fun! Don't forget to check their event calendar for local workshops and activities. (We think the Martinez and Hercules library are worth checking out!! Especially their events.)
Try Something New: Whether it's crocheting, painting, coding, or starting a lemonade stand, summer is the perfect time to explore a new hobby! Local buy nothing groups can be a great way to find new hobby materials. There are even lemonade PBL activities free online (:
Sneaky Math: From cooking and baking (measuring and fractions!) to planning a road trip schedule or budgeting for back-to-school shopping, math is everywhere. Even simple card games like War or Uno are great for building number sense.
Sneaky Phonics: Play the classic “going on a picnic” alphabet game, or practice spelling together by asking for help with words. Sorting and alphabetizing household items (like toys or groceries) is another great way to keep phonics skills sharp!
For Older Students (Middle/High School):
Real-World Skills: Give them bigger responsibilities like meal planning for the week, grocery shopping, or managing a small budget, like learning to pay a monthly subscription bill.
Career & Future Prep: Encourage them to look into volunteer opportunities, research potential colleges, or even start drafting a resume.
Shared Interests: Listen to a podcast together, watch a documentary, or enjoy an audiobook on the road. It’s a great way to bond while keeping critical thinking skills active! You can even encourage them to make inferences about what they’re seeing or hearing, asking them to use specific evidence to support their ideas during your conversations.
The Golden Rule: When exploring something new, ask "How do you know that?" to help them build the habit of using evidence to support their answers.
What’s on your summer bucket list? Let us know in the comments how you’re keeping the curiosity alive!