Sunscreen, Storytime & STEM: A Playful Guide to Beating the Summer Slide
- Ms. Moore
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
From a longtime early educator who believes in rest and readiness
Ah, summer—longer days, muddy feet, sticky fingers, and the sweet, sweet freedom of unstructured time. But if you’re anything like me, you also wonder: How do we keep those little brains blooming without burning them (or ourselves) out?
Avoiding the infamous summer slide doesn’t have to mean worksheets or rigid routines. With a little intention (and a lot of play), we can weave learning into the everyday magic of summer—picnics, puddles, bedtime stories, and tech tools that meet kids right where they are.
Below are my favorite ways to sneak literacy, math, and curiosity into your summer days—no stress, just sunshine-fueled learning.
☀️ Everyday Moments That Count (Literally)
Forget flashcards—math is everywhere when we pause to notice:
Count It Out – Snack time? Count the blueberries. Playground? Count the steps to the slide. Bath time? Count the bubbles as you pop them.
Pattern Play – Use sidewalk chalk or nature treasures to make repeating patterns. Talk about what comes next and why.
Shape Hunt – Go on a shape scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. Bonus: snap photos and make a digital collage or slideshow.
🛒 Materials to try:
Want to take it further? Try:
📱 Khan Academy Kids – A joyful, research-based app with playful math and literacy activities for preschool and kindergarten. It adapts to your child’s level and works offline for summer road trips.
📚 Literacy That Travels With You
The most loved books are usually the ones that end up with sand in their spines or popsicle stains on the cover. Make stories part of your summer rhythm:
Pack a Picnic Book Bag – Grab a few favorites and read under a tree or at the splash pad.
Library Passport – Visit different library branches and get a stamp or sticker at each one.
Play School at Home – Let your child show what they know, by becoming the teacher to lead story time for their stuffed animals or family members.
🛒 Materials to try:
Tech tip:
📱 Vooks – A streaming library of animated storybooks. Think Netflix meets read-alouds, with gentle narration and visual cues. Great for car rides or quiet time.
🎨 Creativity + Curiosity = Summer Gold
Let your child’s questions guide the way:
“Why do bees like flowers?”
“Can we make our own ice cream?”
“How does the moon change?”
Turn curiosity into learning with:
📱 PBS Kids Games – Explore science, literacy, and social-emotional learning through characters kids love. It’s safe, educational, and actually fun.
🧠 Socratic by Google – For grown-ups that may need a little help answer those big “why” questions, snap a picture and get explanations in kid-friendly language. A great co-learning tool!
🛒 Materials to try:
🏃♀️ Move, Climb, Balance: Summer Is Built for Gross Motor Growth
While summer often gets the spotlight for worries around reading and math retention, it’s also prime time for physical development—those big, foundational skills like balancing, jumping, climbing, and running. These aren’t just playground perks—they’re brain boosters, too.
Letting children move freely builds strength, coordination, and confidence. Plus, outdoor movement often sparks language, creativity, and self-regulation.
Here’s how to build those big muscles (and big imaginations!):
Obstacle Course Magic – Set up backyard obstacle courses with hula hoops, cones, and pool noodles. Kids can crawl, jump, climb, and laugh their way through a world of pretend.
Nature Trails + Balance Games – Head to a nearby trail or park and turn it into a balance beam adventure. Tree roots and logs are better than any balance board.
Dance Party, Anytime – Indoors or out, crank the music and move those bodies. Add scarves, ribbons, or a bubble machine to level up the fun.
🛒 Materials to try:
And don’t forget—fine motor skills grow, too! Water play, sidewalk chalk, gardening, and stringing beads are all powerful ways to keep little fingers strong and ready for writing come fall.
🛒 Bonus fine motor tools:
🧺 Weekly Rhythm That Feels Like Summer
No schedule needed—but a loose rhythm helps everyone feel grounded. Try this:
Monday – “Math in the Morning” with measuring cups, blocks, or a favorite app
Wednesday – “Wonder Walks” to spark questions and storytelling
Friday – “Free Choice Friday” with a tech tool like Vooks or Khan Kids, then retell the story or create your own
🛒 Materials to try:
✨ Let’s Keep It Light—but Keep It Going
Summer learning should feel like life, not school. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or caregiver, you can protect your child’s learning momentum with just a few minutes a day of intentional play, conversation, and connection.
You don’t have to do everything. Just keep showing up with love, curiosity, and sunscreen.
If this post gave you ideas, feel free to share it with a fellow teacher, parent, or picnic pal. And if you try any of the tools or tips, I’d love to hear how it goes. We’re all in this together—one sun-drenched learning moment at a time. 🌈
A quick note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. These funds help support the time and tools it takes to share playful, developmentally appropriate resources with educators and families like you. Thank you for your support!
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