4 Educational Projects to Have Fun in the Sun this Summer
I remember as a kid wondering what I was going to do over the summer. I mean, two whole months of freedom! Of course, I was going to have fun in the sun at summer camp, but what about when I was stuck at home? If I would have been creative back then, I might have come up with these brilliant ideas. Below are just a few projects to do with your kids this summer that will teach them new skills while they have fun in the sun.
GARDENING
Keeping a garden is a great way to interact with your kids, and it always comes with surprises. With the world being dominated by technology, getting out and having a little fun in the sun while creating a canvas of flowers is rewarding. Whether you have a green thumb or not, creating memories while establishing responsibility is a great way to enjoy the summer. Here are some helpful tips for starting a garden or adding to an existing one.
1.Choose a spot that has a lot of sunlight. If no spots are available with ample sunlight, that’s okay! Just pick plants that thrive in the shade. You can always reuse an old sandbox or make a window plant box as well!
2.Decide whether you want to treat your garden organically or with fertilizers.
3.Since it will be a child who is taking care of the garden, don’t make it too big! You want them to have fun in the sun without stressing.
4.Keep the garden simple. Allow plenty of walking space and easy access to plants.
5.Grow fast progress plants! Kids want to see the results—FAST!
And, of course, if boredom comes, make a scarecrow!
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
CONSTRUCTION 
There are so many things that kids can construct that will build educational skills while they are having fun in the sun. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to build a birdhouse.
If bird feeders would bring your child more joy, then check out how this family incorporated everyday objects and created a few DIY bird feeders!And remember… there is no limit on how many they can create! Possibly a birdhouse village?
The possibilities are endless!
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26
OUTDOOR NEIGHBORHOOD THEATER PRODUCTION
Who doesn’t like to act every once in awhile? Neighborhood theater productions are a great way to tap into a child’s creativity and to make new friends in the process. Have a high school drama club sponsor the event, or even just to help out with picking the play to perform.
Does your child not like to be in the spotlight? Totally okay! There are many behind-the-scene jobs that will still allow your child to have fun in the sun while contributing to the production. Being a stage manager, set director or even just building parts of the set are just a few of the jobs a child can take on to help make the production a success. If an actual production is too time-consuming, never fret! There are so many games and activities that children can participate in and incorporate drama.
By the end of the summer, you could have a future Oscar award winner on your hands!
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23
BUG HUNT
Bugs, bugs, and more bugs! There are so many bugs out and about during this time of the year. What better way to observe them all and have fun in the sun than having a bug hunt? Find out about the insect migration patterns and seasons in your region and have your child make a list of ones they would like to find. This could be a simple list, as shown here,or you could use this free printable of field notes! For older kids, they may want to watch different insects over the course of the summer and keep a log of the differences or similarities they notice. If your child is even more adventurous, he or she could start a bug collection! This would help teach responsibility, through taking care of a temporary pet, while having fun at the same time.
Happy bug hunting!
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:24-25
While you enjoy the educational fun in the sun, and the flexibility that summer can offer, you may find yourself wishing that you had the same flexibility all year. If this inspires you to pursue alternative schooling options, consider Enlightium Academy, a self-paced, online Christian school with accountability and teacher support.
