A summer learning kit is a small collection of everyday materials and simple activity ideas that children can use at home. It’s not a workbook or packet—it’s hands-on, flexible, and designed for play.
What to Include in a Simple Kit
Focus on items families likely don’t need to buy and can use in multiple ways:
- Crayons or markers
- Paper or a small notebook
- Playdough (or a simple recipe)
- A deck of cards or Uno cards
- Dice
- Plastic cups or measuring cups
- Child-safe scissors and glue (optional)
How to Connect Materials to Learning
Help families understand how to use the items by pairing them with simple ideas:
- Cards: matching, counting, memory games
- Dice: count, roll-and-move games, number recognition
- Playdough: build letters, shapes, or objects
- Crayons/Paper: drawing, storytelling, scribbling for pre-writing
- Cups: pouring, measuring, “more/less” concepts
Keep It Simple for Families
- Include 5–10 easy activity ideas, not long instructions
- Use clear, everyday language
- Make activities repeatable (not one-time use)
- Avoid anything that feels like homework
Optional: Add a Simple Activity Card
Include a small card or sheet with prompts like:
- “Count something in your home today”
- “Draw a picture and tell a story about it”
- “Build something using what you have”
- “Play a game and take turns”
Tips for Providers
- Keep kits low-cost and realistic to assemble
- Offer kits as optional, not required
- Model how to use 1–2 items before sending them home
- Emphasize that there is no “right way” to use the materials