Need simple, open-ended ideas to keep children entertained and engaged this summer? Sarah Wood, technology and media integration specialist for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, has got you covered.
Wood created a Summer STEAM Calendar and shared it on her education blog, My Ed Tech World. The calendar has low-cost or no-cost activity ideas students can do every day in June, July, and August. Suggestions include things like creating a mini-golf course in the backyard, making a bug catcher, and designing a car wash for a bicycle.
Wood, an educator with children of her own, said, “As parents, we know the inevitable ‘I’m bored!’ will come and it is sometimes hard to get creative when feeling burned out. It was my hope that having daily activities at the ready would help curb some of the summer boredom and encourage families to work together on simple projects with items that can mostly be found around the house, outside, or maybe from a friend or family member.”
She said activities can be completed regardless of the language spoken at home, and are designed to help students create, communicate, and build confidence in themselves and their work.
Wood chose activities that encourage outdoor time and thus, de-emphasize the “T” in STEAM – which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Bonus for parents, sitters, or whoever will be caring for students this summer: none of the activities involve slime. (Your walls and carpets will thank her.)