by Shari McMinn

Summer is here — let the summer learning fun begin!

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)

The above Scripture explains that every aspect of our lives is to be a teaching experience for our children regarding God and His love for us, and we are to do this kind of teaching “diligently.” Diligently means that we are to teach our children carefully, earnestly, energetically, industriously, and steadily.

As homeschoolers, I believe it is to be a year-round way of life for our children and us. You likely have a fairly structured way of imparting such knowledge to your children during your homeschool year (172 days, four hours daily, according to Colorado statutes), but what should summer “learning” look like?

Summer Learning Starts With Daily Practices

I suggest that summer is a time for each child to explore what they love, be curious about many things indoors and outdoors, and enjoy fun activities together as a family with a thankful heart for God’s goodness to us in the simple pleasures of summer. Early morning walks outside when it is still cool, crafts indoors during the hottest part of the day, reading aloud as a family in the evenings under the stars, or camped out in the living room. A slower pace allows for more conversation, more time to “chill out” and get to know one another.

For our family, summer days meant sleeping in a bit. After a quick breakfast, our livestock needed to be fed and our large gardens watered and weeded daily before it got too hot. So, we went to bed around 10pm and woke up around 9am. No alarms, unless we had to head to town for an appointment. Then we enjoyed afternoons indoors making crafts, reading, and even working on home remodeling projects together. 

Essential to all of this was the daily consistency of practicing piano, reading aloud to Mom or siblings, and using math to calculate what could be spent at the grocery store or on 4-H projects. The everyday lessons of life continued through the summer, but with less of a taskmaster mentality, along with lots of laughter, especially when we went to our local swimming pool one afternoon each week.

As we drove around running errands in town, we would play memory games in the car and read billboards or road signs. Each of these summer daily practices kept my kids’ brains working and increasing in ability. It seemed more like fun than school, and that was the point!

10 Fun Ideas for Summer Learning Activities

I know we all are busy, so I’ll keep this short and leave you with some fun ideas for summer learning:

1. Assign meal prep and clean-up in teams; dress up to serve “restaurant style,” complete with a menu.
2. Build an outdoor clubhouse from scrap lumber and other supplies; no parent help allowed!
3. Collect insects, rocks, and other nature finds; display on boards or in a box.
4. Decorate bikes, scooters, tricycles, and wagons to have a parade for your neighbors; invite their kids to join in the fun.
5. Have s’mores under the stars and search for constellations and planets.
6. Let your kids set up a water obstacle course outside using kitchen and household items.
7. Paint large rocks for your garden: animals, funny faces, graphic patterns, ladybugs, sea creatures.
8. Purge your house of clutter to hold a garage sale; use the proceeds for a special family outing.
9. Set up a puzzle table for everyone to work on; purchase new puzzles at thrift stores.
10. Start reading aloud a book series that all ages will enjoy; enjoy audio books during car trips.

Dive Deeper: Summer Learning With Trusted Christian Homeschooling Resources

• It’s Not Too Late! Register for the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference (June 11-13, 2026) to attend Unique Learner Track Workshops while your children participate in their own activities. 
• The Colorado Homeschool Podcast: “Family Culture Starts with You!” 
• Dads: Learn to Lead Your Family in Contentment with this Generations podcast. 
• Moms: Find Jesus in the Every Day Grind on the Faithful & Fruitful Podcast. 

Find more support for you and your unique learner at CHEC’s Unique Learners webpages. Our CHEC.org website and all Recommended Resource pages were fully updated this spring. Please take time to thoroughly review and study all the recommendations available to Unique Learner families through CHEC!

My next Unique Learner blog, “Hot Topics: Our Unique Learner Poll Results,” will be posted on July 10, 2026 (the 2nd Wednesday).

Shari McMinn, your trusted homeschooling friend  

P.S. If you have a topic I should write about, please email me with your suggestion(s). This blog is for you!

About the Author: Shari McMinn

Shari Howard McMinn has graduated from homeschool teaching and is a professional editor, public speaker, and writer. After living in Colorado for 45 years, she continues to work remotely for Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) from her new home in the Fort Myers, Florida area. Shari is the author of five books, which are detailed on her website, ShariMcMinn.com. She is an advocate for adoption, homeschooling, safe and stable families, and unique learners. A few years ago, she entered a very fun new season of life: grandparenting! She is available to answer your questions via email, Shari@CHEC.org.