30 Free and Low-Cost Summer Learning Activities for Teens to avoid learning loss

Summer should be a time for students to recharge, but long breaks from learning can lead to what educators call the “summer slide.” It’s important to balance rest and engagement to avoid losing valuable academic skills that could lead to disadvantages in the fall. 

At the TGR Learning Lab we have a variety of classes, workshops and opportunities to engage students in a safe, inspiring (and air-conditioned) learning environment. To supplement participation in camps and structured learning, the 30 activities below can help your students keep their brain sharp while having fun, exploring their interests, documenting memories and building skills for their college and career paths with just a few simple materials, 

Read on to view the hands-on activities, grouped by category.  

Creative Arts & DIY Design 

Give your teen a creative outlet for emotional expression and innovation. The arts promote well-being and self-expression while strengthening brain development. These activities also build design-thinking, storytelling and innovation skills that apply to careers in marketing, fashion, digital media, architecture and beyond. 

1. Create sidewalk chalk art or murals in a driveway or park. 

1. Create a time capsule by collecting keepsakes to open in five or 10 years. 

1. Create a mind jar to help navigate stressful situations.  

1. Use a phone or tablet to make a stop-motion animation short. 

1. Turn recyclables into upcycled sculptures or collage art. 

1. Learn a new instrument or compose a song using GarageBand or YouTube. 

Outdoor Exploration & Nature  

From National Great Outdoors Month in June to National Parks and Recreation Month in July, summer is an optimal season to spend time outdoors. Help teens connect with the world around them for stronger health and focus. Time in nature reduces stress, builds resilience and strengthens environmental awareness in as little as five minutes a day. These activities promote both mental health and scientific thinking, while preparing students for careers in conservation, biology, environmental science, agriculture and more.  

1. Draw or map your neighborhood from memory or observation. 

1. Keep a nature log of birds, bugs, or animals seen over time. 

1. Explore photography by capturing natural patterns and textures. 

1. Make a barometer or rain gauge and graph rainfall over the course of a week. 

1. Join a free online citizen science project like iNaturalist or Zooniverse. 

Science & Engineering  

STEM learning (science, technology, engineering and math) lays the foundation for in-demand jobs and critical thinking. These activities help teens explore how the world works while developing persistence, curiosity and real-life skills that translate to future careers. 

1. Make DIY rock candy crystals 

1. Discover the scientific secret of fluffy pancakes 

1. Test methods to clean an oil spill 

1. Create a DIY bubbling lava lamp 

1. Experiment with pharmaceutical engineering 

1. Learn the engineering design process and use it to solve problems 

1. Explore surface tension 

1. Build a moon model to study lunar phases 

Reading and Writing 

Help your teen build their voice, creativity and confidence through literacy. Reading and writing are essential in nearly every college major and career path. These activities make language fun and personal, whether your teen wants to write stories, perform, or improve communication skills for future job interviews and essays. 

1. Keep a summer journal to reflect on daily activities, observations, dreams and plans for their future.  

1. Start a book club with friends or family and share highlights each week through a meeting, blog or social media.  

Local libraries are a great resource for physical and audio books and often provide incentives and reading challenges.  

1. Write and illustrate a short story, comic, magazine or graphic novel. 

1. Script and record a podcast about a favorite topic or hobby. 

1. Write letters to a relative, friend or someone you’re grateful for. Mail a new letter each week or even document your summer experiences and share them on the first day of school.  

1. Write and design a family newspaper featuring real or creative news. 

1. Use Duolingo or YouTube to learn the basics of a new language or American Sign Language. 

Functional Math  

Make math practical, visual and hands-on to build confidence and readiness through budgeting, measuring, building and problem-solving. These real-life challenges help teens develop number sense and critical thinking, preparing them for high school success, job training and everyday decision-making. 

1. Bake something from scratch to practice fractions and conversions. 

1. Fold origami and explore angles, symmetry and spatial reasoning. 

1. Plan and budget a dream vacation using online prices and travel sites. 

1. Solve a daily logic puzzle, Sudoku or math riddle as a warm-up. 

Your teen doesn’t need expensive camps or tech to stay engaged and expand learning into the summer. The best activities are those aligned with your student’s interest(s). Let them choose one or two activities a week and share what they’ve learned with you. Celebrate their effort, progress new skills for their future.  

A little structure, creativity and encouragement can help them build valuable academic and life skills. These activities can build confidence, curiosity and prepare them for a strong start to the school year. 

Visit our website to access more free resources for students, educators and families and learn about our free opportunities at the TGR Learning Lab.