Resources for Engaging Young Children
Let's Get Active
The Trustees of Reservations - Over 100 special outdoor places, from the Berkshires to Martha's Vineyard, are yours to explore.
The Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program - Enjoy the Merrimack River this summer! Sailing lessons and family memberships are available.
Geocaching - Family hikes are a great way to stay active and geocaching is a fun way to foster curiosity and navigation skills.
Cosmic Kids Yoga - These child-friendly yoga classes are great for the whole family! They also offer quick Zen Den videos focused on mindfulness.
Go Noodle - Another source for movement & mindfulness activities that your children may know and love.
August Adventures 2023 - The Highland Street Foundation partners with special Massachusetts cultural institutions to provide one free activity each day for 31 days.
Non Sibi Solum
This is the motto of The Pike School which means, not for oneself alone. Here are some tips from some of our favorite parenting authors.
Language
Osmo - Combines tactile experiences and technology for hands-on play-based learning. We love the tangrams as well as the letter and number tile games. (iPad & Osmo required)
Language/Word Games - Scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams, Zingo Bingo, Balderdash, Scattergories. Taboo.
Crossword puzzles, word searches, making lists, writing letters to friends and family, keeping a journal.
Reading
Read to your child - The best thing you can do over the summer to help your child maintain their love for stories and enthusiasm for reading is to read to them every day. Books are a wonderful way to connect with your child and to provide a special routine during summer days.
Subscribe to a children's magazine - Cricket Media offers magazines for a wide range of ages and interests. The Week Junior is for kids interested in current events.
Connect with libraries - many public libraries, such as Andover's Memorial Hall Library, are offering virtual programming and summer reading challenges. SummerReads from the Pike Library is your headquarters for great recommendations from your librarians and many other resources.
Lexia, an online reading platform used to supplement instruction throughout the year, is available to Pike students throughout the summer, and gives children an opportunity to practice many important literacy skills. Check your email for information about accessing this resource.
Building Fun
Logic/Spatial Games - Q-Bitz, Connect 4, Othello, Battleship, Dominoes, Rush Hour, Blokus, Suspend, Jenga, Sequence, Tetris, Tsuro.
LEGO Challenges - More than you could ever imagine.
Puzzles of any kind, block building, fort-building (indoor and outdoor!)
Social Studies
Common Sense Media - This is a great resource for kid-friendly podcasts.
This American Life - They’ve compiled a list of “Stories Kids Seem to Like."
How I Built This - Stories of entrepreneurs that include challenges, struggles, and failure - awesome messages and products/companies your children may recognize!
Math
Math Card/Board Games - Mobi, Tenzi, Tiny Polka Dot, Prime Climb, Uno, Monopoly, Yahtzee
Dominoes - Try this family favorite, Chickenfoot.
Card games - Go Fish, Crazy Eights, War
Cooking and Baking Together
Arts and Culture
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in beautiful Amherst, MA is a perfect destination for a day trip.
The Boston Children's Museum offers in-person and virtual creative exploration activities.
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in scenic Boothbay, ME is a place to explore gardens of all kinds. Don't miss the giant (friendly!) wooden troll sculptures!
Art for Kids Hub - This is a great YouTube channel where a dad and kids give simple and awesome drawing lessons.