Explore and play all summer long with a variety of free resources from PBS KIDS. Spark curiosity and creativity with hands-on activities and games supporting literacy, math, science, and fun.
Get started here with summer fun for the whole family!
PBS KIDS Summer Checklist
Make a list of all you want to do this summer and then check them off as you go.
PBS KIDS Summer Activity Book
Summer is full of opportunities to play and learn, so here are kid-friendly activities inspired by PBS KIDS series!
PBS KIDS Summer Reading Chart
Keep track of all the great books your child reads this summer!
Here are a few quick tips to help keep your kids excited about learning this season:
- Ask lots of questions. Encourage your kids to participate in conversations by asking them questions like: "Why do you think that happened? What will happen next?"
- Encourage kids to search for answers. When your children ask you “why?” see if you can work together to figure out what they need to know or do to find the answer.
- Try something new. Summer is a great time to try new things like reading a new kind of book, tasting a new food or exploring a new park.
- Just have fun. Summertime comes along only once a year, so make sure to have fun while you’re learning.
Summer Reading Resources for Families
Booklists!
Searching for book recommendations? Look no further! Welcome to our specially curated collections of books for any topic your family wants to explore.
11 Creative Ways to Enjoy Reading This Summer
Explore fresh ways that kids (no matter their age or reading level!) and grown-ups can read together this summer.
How to Make the Most of Your Local Library
The public library has more than just books! From STEM games to activity kits to community events, your local library has free resources and information to offer. Check it out!
How Telling Stories Helps Kids Learn
Reading is important for all ages and has been well-researched for its many benefits, but is there a difference with storytelling? Not to be confused with reading stories, telling stories has its own advantages. Here's what one mom recommends.
Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive
Reading aloud to kids has clear cognitive benefits but it also strengthens children’s social, emotional, and character development.
Make a Cardboard Mini Library
30 min activityJust like ants, which store and share resources in nature, your child can build a mini library to store and share extra books for reading time fun!
Summer Math Resources for Families
Finding Math in Everyday Places
Here are some activities and conversation starters that can help kids find math all around them.
Add These Math Activities to Your Family Routine
Building early math skills can be easily worked on at home as part of your daily routine! Here are simple activity ideas your family can do based off of six different types of math skills.
11 Fun Math Games from PBS KIDS
Math shapes the world around us in fascinating ways. To extend your child’s math skills, here is a list of our favorite PBS KIDS games that all about counting, shapes, measurement, and more.
Road Trip Math Games
Road trips are filled with lots of interesting things to spot. Use these counting games to help your child keep track!
Play Grocery Store Math Bingo
Reinforce math concepts your child is learning at school such as sorting, conversion, geometry and measurement.
Make Math Trail Mix
Show your child just how tasty ratios can be with this fun math activity.
Outdoor Adventure Activities
Paint With Nature
Use natural objects as brushes or stamps to paint creative art projects.
Creature Power Adventure Games
30 min activityLeap like a frog, burrow like a gopher! Your child can activate their creature powers just like the Wild Kratts in these exciting obstacle course games.
Nature Observation Bingo
30 min activity“Listen, see and follow your curiosity” in this outdoor bingo game.
Frozen Chalk Paint
Create some cool art on a hot day with this easy-to-make frozen chalk paint!
Make a Wild Bee Hotel
30 min activityBees are one of nature’s best pollinators, which means they help plants produce the next generation. Build a wild bee hotel with your child to provide mason bees with an option for shelter in your garden.
Make a DIY Fairy House
30 min activityGet creative with your fairy-loving child by creating a DIY fairy house using an empty glass jar, paint and a few decorative items from nature.