Summer break! Two words that bring cheers from students and a mix of excitement and perhaps a little apprehension from parents. While endless sunny days and relaxed schedules are what summer is all about, there’s also the common concern about the “summer slide” – where children can lose some of the academic ground they gained during the school year.

The good news? Keeping those young minds active and engaged doesn’t have to feel like school! At Newark School Malta, we believe in the power of fun, hands-on learning. Here are ten engaging ways to keep your children learning and exploring all summer long:

1. Dive into Themed Reading Adventures

Move beyond just “read a book.” Create a summer reading theme! It could be “Adventures Around the World” where each book is set in a different country, “Mysteries & Detectives,” or “Magical Creatures & Fantasy Realms.” Let your child help choose the theme and the books. You can even create a simple chart to track progress and offer small, fun rewards for reaching milestones. Consider joining a local library’s summer reading challenge for added motivation.

2. Become Kitchen Scientists

The kitchen is a fantastic laboratory! Simple experiments with household ingredients can teach fundamental science concepts in a thrilling way. Think homemade volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, creating slime to learn about polymers, or even exploring density with different liquids. Cooking and baking itself involves maths (measuring, fractions) and reading comprehension (following recipes).

3. Embark on Nature Scavenger Hunts & Outdoor Explorations

Get outside and explore! Create scavenger hunts in your garden, a local park, or even on a walk around your neighbourhood. List things to find like “a feather,” “a smooth rock,” “something a bee would like,” or “three different types of leaves.” This encourages observation skills, an appreciation for nature, and can spark questions about the environment.

4. Build an Epic Fort (or Den!)

A classic childhood activity that’s packed with learning. Building a fort – whether with blankets and pillows indoors or branches outdoors – involves problem-solving, basic engineering concepts, spatial awareness, and teamwork if siblings or friends join in. It also creates a fantastic cozy nook for reading or imaginative play.

5. Start a “Summer Discoveries” Journal

Encourage your child to document their summer adventures. This doesn’t have to be just writing. They can draw pictures of things they’ve seen, stick in photos, write short stories inspired by their day, press flowers, or note down interesting facts they’ve learned. It’s a wonderful way to practice writing, reflect on experiences, and create a lasting keepsake.

6. Cultivate a Mini Garden

Whether it’s a few pots on a balcony or a small patch in the garden, planting and caring for something that grows is a brilliant learning experience. Children learn about plant life cycles, responsibility, patience, and where food comes from. Herbs are often easy to start with and can be used in your summer cooking!

7. Explore a New Skill with Creative Tech

Summer can be a great time to dip into a new skill using technology constructively. There are many age-appropriate apps and websites that teach coding basics through games, introduce new languages in fun ways, or offer virtual museum tours. Some platforms even offer virtual summer camps. The key is to choose interactive and engaging options.

8. Plan “Family Field Trips” – Big or Small

Become tourists in your own area! Visit local museums, historical sites, art galleries, the aquarium, or even a local farm. Before you go, encourage your child to research one or two interesting things about the place you’re visiting. This turns an outing into an engaging learning experience and supports local Maltese culture and history.

9. Unleash Creativity with Storytelling & DIY Crafts

Encourage imaginative play. Put on a puppet show (puppets can be made from socks or paper bags!), write and illustrate a collaborative family story, or create art using recycled materials. How about designing and building your own board game or making musical instruments from household items? These activities boost creativity, language skills, and fine motor development.

10. Play Smart with Board Games & Puzzles

Dust off those board games or invest in some new ones! Many board games are fantastic for developing strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, numeracy (counting spaces, managing play money), vocabulary (Scrabble, anyone?), and social skills like turn-taking and good sportsmanship. Jigsaw puzzles are great for spatial reasoning and patience.

Summer learning doesn’t have to be about worksheets and textbooks. By embracing curiosity and making learning an adventure, you can help your child not only retain what they’ve learned but also discover new passions and skills.

Have a wonderfully engaging and enriching summer!

The Newark School Malta Team