Just because school is out for the summer doesn't mean that learning is over — there are plenty of fun and easy ways to keep kids engaged and active during the summer months.
Outdoor alphabet match
Using plastic or paper letters and chalk, write the alphabet out on the sidewalk and challenge your child to match the plastic letters to the chalk letters. Challenge older kids to spell out words.
Summer reading BINGO
Help your child create a BINGO sheet with a different reading goal in each of the squares. These can be modest goals, like reading for 15 minutes each day, or bigger goals, like finishing a book or reading a certain number of pages. Every time your child completes a goal, cross it off the sheet. When your child crosses out an entire row or column, treat him or her to a small prize.
Bug hunting
Grab your magnifying glass and take a little time with your child to get to know the bugs in your backyard. Talk to your child about what different bugs do — do they sting? What do they eat? Locate ant hills to learn about insect colonies and look for spider webs. There's a whole world in the backyard, just waiting to be explored!
DIY bird feeders
A quick do-it-yourself tree feeder will attract new feathered friends to nearby trees. Thread popcorn, berries, raisins and other dried fruits on a sturdy piece of string. Loop the string around tree branch and watch the feeding frenzy. Help your child identify the birds who come for dinner.
Mud play
What's more fun than getting a little dirty? Put on some old clothes and encourage your kids to stomp, splash and play in the mud. It's a fun and easy outdoor activity that can keep kids moving even on rainy days — and it's free, too, unless you count the cost of soap.