Summer 2020 will be unlike any previous summer. Summer camps, vacations and festivals may be cancelled. Many parents will need to juggle childcare with working from home. Still, there are plenty of ways to make the most of summer. These ideas are geared toward children around the age of 10. Different options are possible for different families, so use this as inspiration and modify it as needed. You can even mix and match different themes in a week.
SUMMER CAMP ____________
Your child should choose the name
You can copy and edit this Google Doc version to make your own brochure
| June 11-12 | Summer Kickoff |
| June 15-19 | |
| June 22-26 | |
| June 29-July 3 | |
| July 5-11 | |
| July 13-17 | |
| July 20-24 | |
| July 27-31 | |
| August 3-7 | |
| August 10-14 | |
| August 17-21 | |
| August 24-28 | Summer Finale |
SUMMER KICKOFF - June 11-12
What do you love about summer? Let’s make collages of simple pleasures of summer that we CAN do. Then we will pick activities to do this summer and this week. After getting our summer clothes, mineral-based sunscreen and gear ready, we’ll sign up for the summer reading program. Then we’ll kickoff summer with pizza and ice cream sundaes.
SUMMER FINALE - August 24-28
Let’s do things on our bucket list that we didn’t get to. And we’ll be sure to wrap up the week with pizza and ice cream.
WEEKLY OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
BIRDS
Let’s go bird watching first thing each morning. We’ll bring a good pair of binoculars and a journal to note any birds we see. We’ll make a bird bath and set up a hummingbird feeder. Help plan a field trip to a local bird-watching hotspot for one day this week or weekend.
TREES
Each morning, we’ll take a walk and identify different types of trees. During the week, we’ll care for our trees by weeding, mulching and watering. We’ll make leaf prints and measure the height of a tree. Finally, we’ll plan a field trip to an arboretum or wooded area.
ICE AGE
Learn about the ice age through books and documentaries. We’ll make a variety of frozen treats and see which we like best. Can you figure out which part of each day will be the coolest? Then take advantage of it as a family and get outdoors. If you live nearby, plan a day trip to the Ice Age Trail.
MORNINGS
We'll rise and shine each day. Let’s go watch the sunrise in a new viewing location. Other mornings, we’ll walk, hike or bike. Then let’s choose a place for breakfast takeout. One day, you can plan a breakfast picnic.
NIGHTS
Learn about nocturnal creatures. We can purchase and set up a night time camera outdoors. Each night, let’s watch the sunset from a wonderful vantage point. We’ll stay up a little late and make the most of each night. One night, let’s go stargazing. Another night, we’ll camp in the yard. How about a movie night? A nighttime stroll in the neighborhood?
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Let’s learn about the Mississippi River and its locks and dams. During the week, we’ll read books and watch a documentary about the Mississippi River. We can cook some cajun food. We’ll also plan a field trip for Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday to visit some points on the Mississippi River.
BRIDGES
Research bridges of the world. Where is the longest? Highest? Build some bridges in the backyard or with Legos. Then find the oldest and newest bridges in your area. Plan a field trip for Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday to go and visit some of them.
CODING
Set a goal to learn something new with coding. Do a coding project with Tynker or Scratch. We’ll set a budget and you can help turn our home into a smart home. What objects can you program through IFTTT? Will the changes help our family or save energy? Learn Agile project management using Kanban to prioritize family goals.
1960s
How did people live in the 1960’s? What was your city/town like? Are there businesses still in operation that were there then? Let’s hide gadgets that were not yet invented and live like it’s the 60’s. We can recreate watching the moon landing as if it was happening live. Let’s watch old TV shows like Leave it to Beaver! Listen to The Beatles, make tie dye shirts and a lava lamp with Alka Seltzer.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn about famous photographers and photographs. What makes a good picture? Work on a photography challenge (search Pinterest for photography challenge ideas).
RELAXATION
Let’s have the most relaxing week possible. What would be part of that? Getting some sunshine, relaxing music, candles, flowers, taking a bath, sitting around a campfire, ordering takeout, reading a great book. What else?
MOUNTAINS
Let’s learn about the mountains of the world. Read a mountain-themed book. Listen to music from the Andes, Himalayas, the Ozarks and Switzerland. Eat blueberries. Where are the highest “mountains” in our county and the surrounding counties? We’ll plan field trips for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ll go visit some of these “mountains” and have a picnic.
WATER
Learn about the world’s oceans, large lakes and rivers. Research the rivers, streams, lakes and springs in our county. Let’s plan field trips for Friday, Saturday and Sunday to go and visit at least one lake, one stream and one spring.
RAILROADS
Plan a fictitious Amtrak journey and a fictitious European train journey. Read a train-themed novel. Let’s also plan a pretend dining car meal - we can fold the napkins fancy, have flowers and set the table properly. Then go rail-fanning on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at a vantage point where trains go by often.
FAVORITE THINGS
Let’s make collages of our favorite things. Then, let’s indulge in some of each of our favorites.
CAMPING
Let’s plan a weekend campout in the yard. We’ll cook with a dutch oven, make pudgie pies and smores. We’ll unplug and go for some hikes and nature walks. Also, we should do a scavenger hunt.
CARNIVAL
Plan a carnival. Learn to juggle. Use things we have to make games like a ring toss, cornhole, foam rockets through hula hoops, cups with ping pong balls. We can make popcorn, cream puffs and caramel apples. Don’t forget the carnival music.
BEACH
During the week, learn about the oceans and Great Lakes. We can get a large container or build a little sand area outside for sand castles. Let’s play frisbee and beach ball in the yard. We’ll make ice cream with jimmies. Then plan a Friday, Saturday or Sunday field trip to a local beach or two (uncrowded/ practice social distancing). It could even be a tiny sand beach on a lake or stream.
BIKES
Let’s clean our bikes, oil the chains and pump up the tires. Make sure the seat is adjusted to your height and that your helmet fits properly. We’ll plan and go on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday bike adventure, complete with a picnic.
DOMES
Learn about famous domes around the world. Build your own dome out of toys or materials around the house. What buildings around here have domes? Let’s plan a weekend field trip to go and visit one.
ENGLAND
Learn about the geography of England. Practice talking with an English accent. Color a British flag. Watch Paddington I and II. Make tea and scones. Read a story that takes place in England. Listen to the Beatles.
ISLANDS AND PENINSULAS
Research famous islands and
peninsulas around the world. Learn
about islands and peninsulas in
our own state. Who
lives there? How do people get there?
Have a party with island food and
music by Jimmy Buffet. Read an
island-themed book. Then plan a field
trip to go visit a local island or
peninsula. It can be a tiny one in a park or botanical garden.
JUNGLES
Learn about rainforests of the world. Read a jungle-themed book. Put on “safari hats” and inventory the diversity of a local park or your backyard. How many different trees, plants, bird and mammal species can you find? Compare those numbers to the diversity of a jungle. Make “Dole Whip” and play Tiki Room music. Watch a jungle-themed movie.
FUTURE
How do you think people will live in the future? Have people successfully predicted future events? What are ways people try to predict the future (reading palms, etc.). Can you learn how? Let’s try to predict tomorrow. Were you correct? Write a letter to your future self. Make a time capsule. Let’s read a science fiction book and watch the Jetsons. Finally, write in your journal about your future. What are good strategies you can implement to optimize your future?
TIME
Learn about the history of the Earth, compared to hours and minutes on a clock. Talk about our personal histories. On the calendar, can you figure out what day of the week your birthday will be ten years in the future? Try practicing mindfulness. How long do different processes take? What happens fast or slowly? Experiment with making audio and video recordings and speeding them up or slowing them down. Estimate the age of downed trees by counting the rings. Make an ideal schedule for yourself for the day. How much time will you spend eating breakfast, getting exercise, relaxing. Try living one day without looking at any clocks, watches or computers. How did it feel?
PUZZLES AND GAMES
Try many types of puzzles including word puzzles, Sudoku and jigsaw. Play some board games. Build a layout with dominos. Make your own jigsaw puzzle. Make a board game outside with chalk.
DECISION-MAKING
This week or weekend, try different methods of group decision-making such as democracy, consensus, random and monarchy. How did each one go? One day try doing the opposite of many things you normally do. Explore ways to generate ideas. Play the game “Facts of Five” or Scattergories.
SUSTAINABILITY
Read an environmental-themed book. Try canning, pickling or drying herbs. Experiment with solar cooking. During the week, try to generate as little garbage as possible. Try to have the smallest carbon footprint possible by conserving energy. Try not to buy anything new all week. Find ways to use or repurpose things we have. Try an upcycling craft.
ROCKS
Listen to top-40 rock music of the past. What is your favorite? Go on walks around your neighborhood or to local parks. Try to find the largest and most unusual rocks. In a local park or your yard, turn over smaller rocks. What is living underneath? Plan a weekend field trip to an interesting geological site.
STAIRS
Research famous sets of stairs from around the world. How many times can you climb stairs for fitness this week? See if you can make a slinky go down a set of stairs. Plan weekend field trips to visit large sets of stairs around your area. What can you see from the bottom? Top? How many stairs are there? Are they in good shape, or in need of repair?
CORN
Purchase corn at a farmer’s market. Shuck corn. Experiment with different corn on the cob recipes. Which is your favorite? Make something with cornmeal. Make popcorn. Make and play cornhole. Do a corn-related craft.
NOTHING
Enjoy a day or week of nothing in particular.
DEFAULT DAILY SCHEDULE
Of course, you would need to make your own schedule, but here is an example.| 6:30-7:30 | Mom/Dad takes a walk or run |
| 7:30-9:00 | Breakfast; checks into work. |
| 9:00-10:00 | Screens off. Math and writing with Mom/Dad |
| 10:00-11:00 | Reading or work on activity together |
| 11:00-4:00 | Mom/Dad works. You play, go outside, have lunch, read, practice musical instrument, etc. Do summer camp activities you can do independently. |
| 4:00 | Cleaning together |
| 4:30 | Screen-time allowed again until 7:00/ start dinner |
| 5:00-6:00 | Mom/Dad works |
You can also have your child plan the choices for each week using this templates:
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
MEXICO
Let's study the geography of Mexico and brush up on our Espanol. We'll read a Mexican-themed book and listen to Mexican music. For crafts, we can make maracas and a pinata. Then, we'll plan a fiesta for the end of the week, with Mexican food, music and fun.
CANADA
During the week, learn the Canadian provinces. Study a little basic French. Let's make and eat Canadian delicacies like poutine. We'll listen to some Canadian music and read a Canadian-themed book. At the end of the week, let's plan a polar bear party. We'll make frozen treats and stay cool by running through the sprinkler.
STATE PARKS
How many state parks do we have? Which is the oldest? Newest? Biggest? Make a catalog of the state parks and the features they have. Then lead the way in planning a field trip to one or two.
1800s CHALLENGE
What was life like in the 1800s? Let's explore it. Make a top hat or lady's hat to wear. Then we can try unplugging things in the house and making do without much electricity. Let's try hand washing a few articles of clothes in a tub and then hanging them out to dry. We will try to walk or ride a bicycle where we need to go. We'll read a book from the 1800s and play games they might have played. For fun, let's put some heavy cream in a container and shake it to make butter. We can also make a paper quilt and try our hand at weaving.
CRAFTING
Let's make a list of hobbies people have. Then we'll purchase a few kits to try new hobbies (knitting, sewing, woodwork, etc.). What did you enjoy the most? What was the most challenging? Do you prefer a hobby with a steep learning curve, or one that's quick to pick up?
BUILDINGS
Research famous buildings around the world. What are some of the tallest? How about the most unique? What are some current trends in new buildings being built? Pretend to be an architect and draw your own building. What would the outside look like? What features would it have? Can you build a model with Legos?
DRAWING
Go around your house and gather up all of the pencils, colored pencils and drawing paper you can find. Find a pencil sharpener and sharpen the pencils. Take an online class, or watch YouTube videos and learn to draw something new. You parents can partake too if they are able. Play Pictionary. Then as a family, do some amazing sidewalk chalk art. During the week, take a field trip and draw something you see outdoors.
LIFE SKILLS WEEK
Brush up on your practical skills. With your parents' help, you can: pack a picnic lunch; make tea for everyone; clean our mirrors; make pasta; make grilled cheese; make ice cubes; load and start the dishwasher; set the table; write and mail a letter; change bed sheets; plan a route and navigate crosswalks; hang clothes to dry.
GOOD HEALTH
Let's have a cooking contest with some healthy ingredients, such as whole grains, lentils, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, berries or cocoa. For the week, we'll set goals for exercise and fitness. Who in the family can improve the most? Let's try meditation or yoga. We should also measure and track our own healthy habits during the week.
FEEDBACK
How do you give someone constructive feedback? When might it be appropriate or inappropriate? How do you write a really good review for a product or restaurant? What does it mean to a business to get that good or bad review? Let's try some products or restaurants and write reviews. Be sure to use plenty of adjectives! How can you use feedback to improve something you do? How can you give yourself useful feedback? Start a journal and write about how you are doing in various areas, and how you might improve.
SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE
What are things you have vaguely considered doing but sort of felt they were too difficult? Maybe we can identify steps to removing the barriers and doing some of them.
COMPETITION AND COOPERATION
Let's have some family competitions:
- Lip sync
- Cooking/baking or cupcake decorating
- Fill a bucket (using a sponge
- Minute-to-win-it (cup stacking, etc.)
BE AN ADULT FOR THE DAY
First, we'll agree upon the rules and expectations. You will take on some adult responsibilities, but you will also have more freedom, like deciding what time to go to bed.
TASTE
Let's plan some taste tests for the week. You will take the lead in planning them. For instance, pizza, salsa, chips. How will you vote on the best? Let's explore family members' taste in clothes, music, art. How are we alike or different?
MEATLESS
Go a week without eating meat. Plan some nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals. Shop at the farmer's market. Learn about famous vegetarians.
DINNER
You are in charge of dinner every day this week (or just for one day). Make an apron. Make some placemats, napkin rings and a centerpiece. Plan a menu and give your parents a shopping list with prices. Then make the food (with assistance), set the table and serve dinner. Don't forget to clean up!
AWARDS
What different achievements could you create an award for in your house this week? How will you judge/ who will judge? Then have an awards ceremony. Research the Nobel Peace Prize. What have people received it for? Read books about some of those people.
SUNDAY
Brainstorm for what the ultimate Sunday would entail for your family (COVID-friendly). Plan it out all week and make any advanced preparations so you can be 100% present on the ultimate Sunday.
KINDNESS
Chalk some sidewalks with art and nice messages. Do acts of kindness. Make care packages and send to relatives.
UP AND DOWN
All week, we'll read books on things that are "up or down", such as airplanes, space and insects. Let's test designs of some different paper airplanes. Which fly the best? We can also go to an open field and fly a kite. For a week, observe what’s in the sky above your home- birds, insects, airplanes, stars, clouds, etc. What do you see at different times of day? Then, pick a random spot in your yard, get down on the ground and notice what's going on there? What types of insect life do you see? Then, with your parents' permission (making sure they know where utility lines are and aren't first), pick a place in the yard and dig a hole as deep as you can. What did you find? How deep were you able to dig?
WAVES
Learn about different types of waves. Make a rainbow with a garden hose. Make a smartphone projector and watch a movie. Research sound waves. What travels faster: sound or light? Learn about radio waves. Turn out the radio and explore what's on the AM and FM dials. Make your own pretend radio station. Go somewhere and watch water waves.
MOVIES
Watch some of the best kids’ movies of all time. Write reviews. Read a book that a movie is based on. Experiment with different popcorn flavorings and recipes. Make our own home movie. Make a smartphone projector.
HILARIOUS
Read joke books and also come up with your own jokes. Watch the funniest movies you and your parents can find. Play silly board games. Dress funny all week.
SMELL
Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt for fragrant things (flowers, plants, food smells, etc.). What did you find? Or go on a walk and smell at least 20 different flowers. Generate some good smells in your home. How can you make the laundry smell really good? Can you bake or cook things with a wonderful smell? Take a bath with lavender epsom salt. What are your favorite smelling flowers? herbs?
LEADERSHIP
Take turns leading hikes. Learn about famous leaders. Tackle a small household project as a team. You are the leader. How do you decide who should do what? When a team is faced with a tedious task, how can you improve morale? How will you celebrate victory?
TEACHERS
Let's learn about famous teachers. Plan a lesson each day to teach us something new. What are ways you can help us remember the steps and learn it? Did it work? How can you measure whether we learned it? What strategies work best for you to learn something new? Try taking an online class, or learning something from a YouTube video, together with your parents. How was it?
HOST
What does it mean to be a good host? Plan a mini party and try to be a great host.
POPULAR
Explore things that are currently popular. What do you think of them? Include music, art, movies, restaurants, books, styles, apps, etc. Create some surveys, or look at Twitter, etc. to find out what is popular. Graph and present the results.
STUFFIE / TEDDY FUN
Plan a week of adventures for a stuffed animal or doll. Take photos.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
Buy a butterfly field guide and observe butterflies in your yard or neighborhood all week. Read books about butterflies and look on a map to learn where migratory butterflies, like Monarchs, go. Get a kit from Insect Lore and raise caterpillars. What do you need to do once they build their chrysalis? How long will it take for them to emerge as butterflies? Once they emerge, what do you need to do? Then set them free.
MESSY
Find some old clothes to wear this week. Let's get messy. We can make homemade playdough. Play in the sand or dirt. Make pudding dirt cups with gummy worms. Run under the sprinkler. Find a grassy hill in a park and roll down it. Play in a creek. Make homemade finger paint and mix colors to make new colors. Juice lemons and make lemonade. Make cookies or brownies (an egg-free recipe) and lick the spoon. At the end of the day, take a nice warm bath and get clean again.
RED
Wear red. Carve and make a watermelon fruit bowl. Go on a scavenger hunt for red things you see. Make a recipe with tomatoes. You can do a similar week with blue, green, purple, yellow, etc.
MOVING IN
As a family, choose a room. Take everything out of it (except maybe heavy furniture). Then clean it and pretend you are just moving in. How would you like to organize and arrange things? Are there items that should be donated to charity or discarded? Are there any finishing touches you'd like to add to the room? Then celebrate by ordering pizza.
