What Are Some Ways to Combine Learning and Physical Activity This Summer?
By Julie Diamond, OCT
⏱️ 5-minute read for families planning a bright, balanced summer.
Are you worried about learning loss over the summer? It doesn’t have to be worksheets or screens to keep your child’s mind sharp. By pairing physical activity with fun learning, your family can enjoy a summer that’s active, connected, and rich in discovery.
Here are fresh ideas to try this summer:
1️⃣ Park Math Trails
Turn your local park into an outdoor math lab. Create “math stations” along your walk:
Count tree rings on a stump.
Measure the distance of your longest jump.
Use sidewalk chalk to create hopscotch with multiplication or fraction challenges.
💡 Extension: Challenge older children to design the math trail themselves for siblings or friends.
2️⃣ Nature Art Runs
Combine art, science, and movement:
Go on a jog or brisk walk collecting small natural items (leaves, pebbles, petals).
Use them to create mandalas or nature collages at home.
Discuss symmetry, patterns, and the names of the items you collected. A fun symmetry game I like to play [LINK HERE].
This is a wonderful blend of mindful creativity, biology, and physical activity.
3️⃣ History Hikes
Pick a local historical site or heritage trail and explore:
Read about the history beforehand. I live in the Niagara Region and LOVE learning about the War of 1812 and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and Anishinaabe peoples with my students and stepson. :)
As you hike, take turns retelling facts or imagining stories about people who lived there.
Sketch landmarks or write a few sentences in a travel journal post-hike.
It’s a meaningful way to connect local history with outdoor adventure.
4️⃣ Movement Storytime for Younger Kids
For your Kindergarten to grade 3 learners, take storytime outside and pair each part of the story with a movement:
Fly like a bird during a character’s journey.
Stomp like a giant for dramatic parts.
Tiptoe for suspenseful scenes.
This approach builds literacy and comprehension while keeping bodies active.
5️⃣ Science on the Go: Physics Playground
Head to a playground and explore physics:
Discuss how slides demonstrate friction.
Experiment with momentum on swings.
Try dropping objects from different heights (safely) and predict which will hit the ground first.
Older children can create hypotheses and record their observations in a small notebook.
6️⃣ Adventure Mapping
Give your child a compass and map (or let them use a digital map app under supervision) and set a mini expedition:
Map your route to the ice cream shop. My favourite destination!
Use cardinal directions to navigate trails.
Discuss interesting landmarks as you go! With younger learners you may want to describe landmarks using descriptive adjectives (size, shape, colour, texture, sound). With older learners, you could discuss directions, angles, classifications, etc.
This builds geography, navigation, and critical thinking skills while making walks more engaging.
7️⃣ Backyard Camp Challenges
Plan a “backyard camp day” with challenges like:
Building a mini shelter with blankets and sticks (engineering).
Identifying constellations at night (astronomy).
Cooking a simple snack over a supervised campfire (practical life skills). Have you ever made a campfire cone? [LINK HERE]
Let children lead the planning for independence and confidence-building.
Why It Matters
Combining movement and learning helps:
✅ Prevent the summer slide.
✅ Keep kids active and healthy.
✅ Build a love of learning beyond screens and textbooks.
✅ Strengthen family connection.
Ready to Shine Bright This Summer?
Choose one of these activities each week to keep your child’s mind and body engaged. Take photos, record discoveries, and let your child lead where curiosity takes them.
Learning doesn’t stop in summer—it can grow outdoors, in parks, and in your backyard.
✨ Which activity will your family try first? Let me know, and let’s celebrate your child’s summer learning adventures together!