5 Activities to Keep Children Engaged and Learning This Summer

Summer can be a challenging time for parents, with children breaking from school-year routines to spend more time at home while adults remain as busy as ever. These 5 free resources can help families transform free time into an opportunity for curiosity, learning, and growth at home and in your community.

1. Getting The Wiggles Out with a Movement Game

It’s natural for little ones to grow restless during a break. Whether or not you have access to outdoor space, this free “Move It Out” activity and coloring sheet offers a fun way to get creative and inspire thoughtful movement for the whole family.

Move It Out

Physical movement is a great way to relieve stress and have fun.

Parenting

Ages 1–6

2. Building Helpful Habits at Home Together

Spending more time at home can be a great opportunity for children to learn helpful habits as members of your family and your community. This printable activity offers a creative way for children to recognize how they can help around the house and foster long-term routines.

Helping and Caring

Use this checklist with children to set small goals together and help your community!

Community Service

Ages 1–6

3. Brighten Up Rainy Days Together

Summer thunderstorms might change your plans to spend time together outside, but thanks to this video, they can also serve as learning opportunities. Watch Elmo, Abby, and Elmo’s Daddy discover what we can learn on rainy days through gameplay and thoughtful participation.

Inside on a Rainy Day

Spice up a rainy day indoors by turning household tasks into learning games!

Parenting

Ages 1–6

4. Find the Fun in Upcycling at Home

We may not love trash as much as Oscar the Grouch does, but we can all find some fun in our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This “Upcycling Crafts” article offers ideas to transform items in your recycling bin into DIY art projects, rain or shine. If you’d like our loveable furry friends to help set the tone, start with this video of Ernie & Elmo transforming a recycled water bottle into art!

Upcycling Crafts

An article about upcycling projects.

Science

Ages 3–6

5. Engage Children in Community Service

Recentering children’s energy into community service can create meaningful connections both in and outside your home. This article offers inspiring ideas to help children connect with nature and contribute kindness to their community while spending time outside and away from screens.