5 Fun Educational Activities for Black Families To Do This Summer

Summer is here and your children at home what to do? Many of the camps are expensive, or are already booked and the last thing you want is to have your children stuck at home on their mobile devices or watching television all day. When you ask them how their day was, you dread to hear the familiar phrase, “We’re board or there’s nothing to do around hear. You’re also concerned that when they return in September, their, learning from the previous school year will be lost and you will have to spend your time getting your children back up to speed with additional tutoring and spending late nights helping them with their homework in-between you nightly conference calls.

No need to worry we’ve got you!

Now’s the perfect time for you and your children to engage in fun and educational activities. These activities not only provide rest and relaxation but also inspire a love for learning. Here are five exciting ideas to help your children feel energized over the summer holidays and come back ready and engaged for the September school year:

1. Nature Explorations and Science Adventures:

Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and explore the wonders of nature with your children. Activities like nature walks, bird watching, and visiting local parks can be educational and fun.

Activity Idea: Create a nature journal where your child can draw and write about the plants, animals, and insects they observe. This can enhance their observational skills and foster a love for science.

Inspiration: Take a trip to a science museum or planetarium. Many of these venues offer interactive exhibits that make learning about science exciting.

2. Reading Together: The Joy of Stories:

Reading is a foundational skill that can open up new worlds for your children. Make reading a part of their daily routine. Your teenagers may not have the same interest in what you prefer read but perhaps they could choose things that interest them.

Activity Idea: Start a family book club. Choose books by Black authors that reflect your child's experiences and heritage. Discuss the stories together and explore the lessons learned.

Inspiration: Check out libraries and bookstores (support your local Black book stores) for summer reading programs and book lists that celebrate Black culture and history.

3. Creative Arts and Crafts:

Encourage your child’s creativity through arts and crafts. These activities can be both relaxing and stimulating.

Activity Idea: Create art projects that incorporate African and African-American/Canadian cultural themes. This could include making traditional masks, painting, or crafting beaded jewelry.

Inspiration: Visit art galleries or participate in community art classes that focus on Black artists and their contributions.

4. Cooking and Nutrition Fun:

Nothing brings a family closer together than cooking. Cooking together can be a fun way to teach your children about healthy eating and nutrition. I remember my mother and sister teaching me how to cook simple dishes like scrambled eggs, or unique sandwiches like “Funny Faced Franks” It fueled my creativity over the summer which let to me enjoying cooking and experimenting with new recipes well into my adult life; it is actually how I got my wife (That story I’ll share at another time).

Activity Idea: Involve your children in preparing meals. Explore traditional recipes from African and African-American cuisines. This can be a fun way to learn about different cultures and practice math skills through measuring ingredients.

Inspiration: Host a family cooking night where everyone gets involved in preparing and tasting different dishes.

5. STEM Projects and Experiments:

Taking inspiration from my father who often tutored me during the summer, I did the same for my son. We would often create fun scientific experiments. Engage your children with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects that are both educational and entertaining.

Activity Idea: Build simple machines, create homemade volcanoes, or explore coding with online resources. These activities can spark an interest in STEM fields.

Inspiration: Look for local STEM camps or online workshops that focus on making STEM accessible and exciting for Black children.

By incorporating these activities into your summer plans, you can ensure that your children are rested, energized, and ready to start the new school year with enthusiasm. These activities not only provide educational value but also strengthen family bonds and instill a sense of pride and confidence in your children. Let's make this summer a time of growth, learning, and joy for Black students and their families.

Here’s to an amazing summer with your children! Look out for more of our blogs and resources that will be helpful and engaging to your family.