Summer Learning Resources
This article was originally published June 2023 and was updated May 2025.
Final assignments are in, seniors are about to graduate, and there’s excitement in the air. School’s out and there’s no better feeling than knowing you have an entire summer ahead of you. But, for parents it’s a different story. Summer break can feel like a three-month battle to keep your child(ren) entertained.
For young learners, a break from school can be detrimental to their progress. According to the study School’s Out: The Role of Summers in Understanding Achievement Disparities, the average student loses 17–34% of the prior year’s learning gains during summer break. So, if your kids need a little extra stimulation this summer, here are some ideas to keep them engaged over the dog days.
Participate in your local library’s summer reading challenge
Reading provides a host of benefits, increasing vocabulary, creativity, empathy and critical thinking. Books introduce readers to new perspectives and people, reducing prejudice against stigmatized groups.
One way to encourage reading for pleasure is to make sure that kids always have books to choose from. Keep books in all rooms of the house. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a ton of new books- the library is free and a great resource!
If you’re a reader yourself, there’s no better way to encourage a habit than by leading by example. Make reading a part of your daily routine; if you frequently have your nose in a book, your child will pick up on it.
As mentioned earlier, reading doesn’t have to be expensive—we know how pricey new books can be. Take trips to the library—it’s a great place to find new books and local programs, all for free. One way to keep track of and reward their progress is with a local library reading program.
If you live in the Twin Cities, check out summer learning at the Hennepin County libraries.
At all Ramsey County libraries, kids in grades 5 and under can track their summer reading to earn a free book. Participants who complete the program will be entered in a drawing for Minnesota State Fair or Sea Life-Mall of America tickets!
For a complete list of participating library systems, check out the MELSA website.
Visit local museums with smART Pass
smART Pass is an arts access program available to anyone with a Twin Cities public library card. If you are a member of any of the eight participating library systems, you can reserve free or discounted admission to a variety of arts experiences.
Participating arts organizations include First Avenue, Northrup Auditorium, Classical Actors Ensemble, Hennepin History Museum, American Swedish Institute and more.
Discover summer with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA)
The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is a national, non-profit organization focused on investing in summer learning to help close the achievement gap.
NSLA created Discover Summer, an online resource for families. Discover Summer helps families find affordable summer programs, meals and a sea of resources to keep kids learning and healthy during the summer months. The search engine features over 50,000 out-of-school-time programs in all 50 U.S states.
Browse the National Education Association (NEA) summer toolkit
The National Education Association (NEA) put together a collection of research, guidance, and tools for families and educators to support summer learning programs and activities. The toolkit includes resources for parents and families with links to online readiness checks, math and reading help and virtual summer camps.
Subscribe to IXL
IXL is a membership-based online learning platform that offers on-demand lessons and games. The curriculum includes lessons for K-12 grades in math, language arts, social studies, science and Spanish. The Summer Learning Hub includes daily activities to help students stay engaged over the summer, along with ACT and SAT prep for high schoolers.
Enroll in BlueSky summer school
BlueSky offers a six-week summer school session for current students and non-BlueSky students. Tuition is free for current students and $325/semester course for non-BlueSky students. All the online courses are ideal for students that need flexibility. The courses feature self-paced and independent work, allowing for an individualized learning experience. Learn more about our summer program here.
