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School is out for summer! As full-time speech and language pathologists and full-time moms, we live for the days we get to spend home with our kids over summer vacation. We have compiled our favorite outdoor activities, indoor projects, yummy recipes, cooperative games, and local summer outings to help you make the best of your time off. Check out our ultimate summer activities bucket list to encourage speech and language skills all summer long!
Outdoor Summer Activities
Since we live in the Midwest, the weather can be a be up and down…even during the summer months. So when the sun is out, we are outside soaking it up! Check out our summer bucket list of outdoor activities to promote increased language, vocabulary development, and more.
- Water Obstacle Course
- Nature Walk
- Backyard Camping
- Chalk Fun
- Star Gazing
- Petting Zoo
- Go Fishing
- Bubbles
- Water Balloon Fight
- Garage Door Magnets
- Bird Feeders
- Fly A Kite
- Strawberry Picking
- Picnic
- Beach
- Fireworks
- Plant A Flower
- Splash Pad
Indoor Summer Activities
For those rainy days or unbearably hot afternoons, we have you covered! We have the perfect summer bucket list for those days you are stuck inside. Support vocabulary, sequencing, cause and effect, and speech sound production with the following fun summer ideas!
- BINGO
- Floor Is Lava
- Build A Fort
- Balloon Racers
- Puzzle
- Look At Old Photos
- Science Experiment
Easy Summer Recipes
Our kids love eating, but love it even more if they get to get their hands dirty and help! Here are some of our favorite summer recipes from no bake to themed treats to yummy campfire classics. You will definitely be able to find a summer favorite.
- Homemade Popsicles
- S’mores
- Cloud Jello
- LEGO© Rice Krispies
- Trail Mix
- Shrimp Boil
- Ants On A Log
- Homemade Ice Cream
- Roasting Hot Dogs
Cooperative Games
We love cooperative games for sooooooooo many reasons. Not only are they great to beat summer boredom, they help target turn-taking, direction following, and language skills. Choose a game below to play as a family or have siblings partake.
- Mother May I
- Red Light Green Light
- Simon Says
- Capture The Flag
- Tag
- Hopscotch
Local Summer Outings
Need a change of scenery? We have you covered! Getting out and about can hit so many language targets such as vocabulary acquisition, conversation skills, sensory integration, and more. Find a local outing or place to learn something new and build confidence.
- Farmer’s Market
- Touch A Truck
- Pool
- Forest Preserve
- Library
- Pet Store
- Nature Center
- Ride A Train
- Ice Cream Truck
- Miniature Golf
- Outdoor Concert
- Local Farm
- Aquarium
- Zoo
- Children’s Museum
Want some more fun and ideas for FREE?! Check out our free resource library for themed activities to keep you busy all year long. Just enter your email address below for our weekly email so you don’t miss a blog post, tips and tricks, or additional freebies!
We hope you find something fun and engaging from our extensive summer activity bucket list to encourage growing language skills all season long. Did we miss a favorite summer activity? Drop us a comment below to tell us your summer must-do ideas. Then be sure to follow us on social media for more summer fun!
Happy summer!
Kate & Mandy
Talking Mama Bears
