Summertime is well underway! This means our kids are spending time by the pool, playing video games, and hopefully working their brains to make sure they are ready for fall!
STEM and coding have become two major subjects in schools. Here are three easy and entertaining ideas to keep kids engaged over the summer and prepare them for next school year’s coding and STEM lessons!
1. Get inspired!
Most students receive a reading log to keep track of the books they read throughout the summer. Why not make a few of those books coding related? Really Good Stuff has a selection of coding books, Code Play, that allow children to follow the story of two friends who are learning how and why things work by following step-by-step directions!
2. Do Something!
An awesome site I like to use during the school year is Code.org. It engages children of any age to choose a game and begin to code from any level! One of the most popular games, Dance Party, is an exciting way for kids to code and get up and dance at the same time! Introducing your kids to this game over the summer will definitely get them ready (and moving) before school starts in September!
3. Make it Fun!
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) can be so much fun during the summer season. The first activity I think of is Bottle Rockets. Using a bottle, baking soda, vinegar, a cork, and a type of launch pad, kids can create their own rockets using critical thinking skills and teamwork! Make it a competition and kids can see whose bottle flies up the highest! Then, they can discuss why certain bottles went higher than others. It’s a great conversation starter and hands-on activity.
What are your thoughts on STEM? Do you have any other activities kids can do? Please share in the comments below!
