Many parents want to enjoy their summer break from school or preschool; however, they also want to keep their young minds active over the long break. Childcare studies have shown that kids who don’t keep their brains busy experience summer learning loss. Luckily, there are many ways you can keep kids mentally active while still having fun. Discover five options below.

How to Keep Kids Mentally Active Over Summer Vacation

1. Create Real-World Word Hunts

If you’re inside, create a word list and then label the appropriate objects within the house using sticky notes. Have your child use the list and search for the matching object. If you're outside, simply take a walk together with a word list and see how many items you can find 

2. Get Crafty With Sidewalk Chalk

You can have kids work out simple math problems with chalk. Alternatively, try an alphabet matching game, asking them to identify the letters drawn on the pavement as you call them out. Even a simple game of hopscotch helps practice counting and memory.

3. Play Board Games

Younger kids will enjoy a simple game of memory, which boosts concentration and recall capacity. Older kids can take on more challenging activities that incorporate word challenges. Many toy stores offer child-friendly crossword puzzles that will stimulate your little one’s mind. If your kid is in childcare, ask the staff to encourage them to complete puzzles with their friends. 

4. Seek Educational Opportunities 

Look around your area for kid-friendly educational opportunities. A visit to a natural history museum or zoo can teach little ones about the animal world, for example. Meanwhile, bookstores or libraries often host reading events that can encourage an interest in books. Childcare facilities also offer reading programs.

5. Get Busy in the Kitchen

Cooking or baking with your child is a sneaky way to get them learning. Have them read out the recipe. Go shopping together for ingredients and calculate money and change. Count out units and measurements. Practice telling time based on how long your dish needs to cook. Your little one will be mastering linguistic and numerical skills in the process.

If you’re looking for an educational facility for the fall, consider Imagination Childcare Academy, Inc. of Rochester, NY. They provide preschool, universal, and pre-K care as well as before- and after-school programs. They are licensed and accredited, and their teachers are all highly educated, many of them holding master's degrees. Review their curriculum online. To discuss potential enrollment, call (585) 413-3948.