At the grocery store, have your student:

• Write down the grocery list.

• Read signs throughout the store.

• Weigh produce.

• Use a calculator to add up the grocery bill as you go.

• Compare multiple items/sizes/quantities to determine the best deal.

• Count the number of items in the cart

In the kitchen, have your student:

• Measure the size of the pan needed.

• Read recipes out loud.

• Measure both dry and liquid ingredients.

• Count the number of ingredients.

• Cut fruits and vegetables into specific sizes, such as 1/2 of an apple or 1/4 of a banana.

• Read about healthy eating at sites like MyPlate.

• Calculate nutrient intake such as calories or protein.

• Divide foods into portions at meals.

In the car, have your student:

• Sing songs.

• Practice spelling by doing a spelling bee.

• Run through math facts like counting by twos or multiplication tables.

• Spot objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet.

• Read road signs and billboards out loud.

• Practice directions like turn left or turn south.

• Turn off the verbal prompts on a map app and read directions out loud.

• Listen to kid-oriented podcasts on topics like science, space or mysteries

At the park, have your student:

• Look for and identify different leaves, trees, rocks, insects, clouds, wildflowers and weeds.

• Listen for birds using a free app like Merlin to identify them by how they look or their songs.

• Go on a free planned walk like stargazing, butterfly or pond exploration with a naturalist.

• Sign up for other free programs that capture their interest.

• Research the name of the park and where it came from.

At the community library, have your student:

• Check out the various clubs, programs and reading options offered.

• Choose something new like comic books, magazines, cookbooks or music recordings.

• Visit the library's exhibits and special events.

• Sign up for summer reading challenges.

• Do an in-depth study of a person, place or event in history.

On a trip or vacation, have your student:

• Researching where you're going, what there is to do, the history of the place, how you'll get there and more.

• Letting them plot your travels on a paper map that you download and print.

• Having them keep track of the miles, fuel use and costs.

• Creating a photo album of experiences and findings big and small.

• Writing and sending postcards.

At home, have your student:

• Play board and card games, do jigsaw puzzles, do word puzzles like crosswords and sudoku.

• Practice dexterity skills with little ones like tying or fastening shoes, working zippers and buttoning shirts.

• Buy an inexpensive outdoor thermometer and rain gauge to keep track of weather events and compare findings with professional meteorologists.

• Learn a new skill like cursive writing, coding or knitting via the internet or books.

• Become a pen pal with a family member or friend, and write and send paper letters or practice typing skills by sending email messages.

• Plan a backyard scavenger hunt; older kids can do this on their own.

• Start a book club or book swap in your neighborhood.

• Create a scrapbook of the summer with photos, writing and found items.