How to Make the Most of the Long Holidays with Educational Activities 🌞
The long summer break is finally here — and after a busy school year, it’s a well-earned chance for children (and parents!) to relax, recharge, and reset. ☀️
But did you know that over the summer holidays, many students can lose up to two months of the progress they made during the school year?
This is often called the “summer slide”, and while it sounds worrying, there’s good news: you don’t need to fill every day with formal lessons to stop it. A little light, fun learning goes a long way — and it can fit right into your summer plans.
🎲 1. Make Learning Part of Everyday Life
Learning doesn’t have to feel like school. The world is full of teachable moments — you just have to spot them!
Baking = measurement & fractions
Going to the park = exploring nature & asking questions
Playing shops = money, maths & communication
Top Tip: Let your child help plan the shopping list or pack for a day out — real-world learning builds independence and thinking skills.
📚 2. Set a Daily Reading Ritual
Whether it’s a funny picture book, a comic strip, or a gripping novel, reading regularly helps build vocabulary, imagination, and focus.
Try reading together for 10–15 minutes a day
Listen to audiobooks on long car journeys
Create a mini family book club
Fun idea: Set a summer reading challenge with rewards for finishing books — stickers, bookmarks, or an ice cream outing!
🎮 3. Use Tech for Good
Not all screen time is created equal! There are lots of child-friendly apps, games, and websites that sneak in learning while keeping things fun.
Some favourites include:
DoodleMaths – gamified maths practice
BBC Bitesize – topic-based videos and quizzes
YouTube Kids – educational channels on science, history, and more
Top Tip: Choose a time of day when educational screen time becomes a habit — like just before lunch or during quiet time.
✍️ 4. Encourage Creative Play
Summer is the perfect season for creativity. Drawing, storytelling, building, acting, dancing — all of it helps develop problem-solving, confidence, and communication skills.
Set up a “creation station” with paper, pens, and recycled materials
Encourage your child to make a comic or write a summer diary
Host a “home talent show” with performances for the family
Creativity boosts learning in ways that go far beyond the classroom!
🎉 5. Keep It Light — and Keep It Joyful
Summer is also a time to rest. There’s no need to replicate school routines. The goal is simply to keep curiosity alive, gently building on skills and sparking new interests.
A little bit every day — even just reading a book or asking “why?” about the world around you — can make a big difference come September.
💬 Over to You!
What are your favourite ways to keep learning alive over summer?
We’d love to hear — share your ideas with us on social media!
Head over to our Holiday Resources page to find fun activities for over the summer!
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