Summer isn’t just for sunshine and downtime—it’s also the perfect season for growth, exploration, and a little healthy challenge. Without the daily school routine, kids have the space to stretch their abilities, try something new, and build life skills in fun and meaningful ways.
From Physical activities, creative expression to social bravery and emotional resilience, summer offers countless chances for your child to grow into their best self. Encouraging curiosity, encouragement, and a little imagination go a long way!
Ready to make this summer one to remember?
Try these hands-on challenges designed to spark confidence, independence, and joy in your child’s journey!
1. Brain Boosting Challenges
Why not keep those brains buzzing over summer break?
- Encourage your child to tackle a tough puzzle that gets them thinking outside the box. We always have a puzzle sitting on our table. Add a piece, or pieces at any time!
- Build Lego! Lego is brain-boosting in so many ways. Our new summer Lego project is the Chess Set! Not only can you build a full chess and checkers board, but you can also then keep it in ‘play-range’ for whenever you feel the urge to get in a game! This set is 9+, however with some parent-help, it’s great for the entire family. Summer-time game nights, here we come!
- Each summer I start a family book club! We usually only get through July (lol)! But it’s fun to set a reading goal together. We find a special spot (usually outside) and designate it as the reading place. Each day, for 15 minutes, or longer, we head to our reading spot for some quiet time.
2. Physical Challenges
Time to get moving and burn off some of that summer energy!
- Have your kids always wanted to try rock climbing, join a dance class, or learn to swim better—now’s their chance! Training for a fun run as a family could be just the thing to build healthy habits.
3. Creative Challenges
Let that imagination run wild! I love this challenge!
- Painting, crafting, or dancing in the yard… creative challenges are a great way for kids to express themselves.
- Our craft-cart in kept the kitchen filled with paints, brushes, glue (not glitter!), pom poms, pipe cleaners, paper and canvas. This way, anytime the ‘creative’ thought pops in, we have everything at hand! We even have a chalk bucket at the front door for a little sidewalk creativity!
4. Social Challenges
Stepping out of their comfort zone can be a game changer.
- Encourage them to introduce themselves to someone new or join a group activity.
- Even something simple like inviting a neighborhood kids to play helps build confidence in social situations.
5. Emotional Challenges
Learning to handle big feelings is a skill that lasts a lifetime.
- Help your child practice talking about their emotions—maybe through journaling or casual chats at bedtime. Summertime gives you more time to practice this without the rush of ‘school the next day’ thoughts!
- Gently encourage them to face a fear by trying something new.
6. Life Skills Challenges
Summer’s the perfect time to build independence.
- Teach them how to cook a simple meal, do laundry, or plan a family day trip—it’s fun and super empowering. A family fun jar is great for this! At the beginning of summer, each person writes down 3 things they would like to do over the next months. Each week, you pick one activity. When your ‘activity’ is picked, it is your responsibility to put it together for the family. And yes, it can even be a day of laundry!
- Giving kids small responsibilities helps them feel capable and trusted.
7. Tech Challenges
Let’s put screen time to good use!
- Maybe they want to learn to code, make a short video, or build a mini website—there are tons of kid-friendly tools out there.
- A summer tech project can be both creative and educational.
8. The Giving Challenge
Helping others feels great—and teaches so much.
- Look for a family-friendly volunteer opportunity, or help your child plan a simple fundraiser for a cause they care about. Lemonade stands are a favorite of ours, with a charitable angle. A Lemonade Stand teaches so many different skills at once – math skills (giving change for the lemonade), ‘cooking’ by making the lemonade, socials skills (having to greet and talk to your customers), and hand-eye coordination (delivering the lemonade and not spilling it).
- Any way you decide to give-back to your community is a fun way to build empathy, leadership, and pride in making a difference.
