Featured Sites Week of: May 31, 2026 - Summer Events & Activities for Students
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Summer Camp Activities K-8 Learners Will Love - Kami and Book Creator
Grades
K to 8
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This resource shares a curated collection of digital, interactive activity books built in Book Creator, reviewed here specifically designed for summer...more
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This resource shares a curated collection of digital, interactive activity books built in Book Creator, reviewed here specifically designed for summer programs. Content categories include: K-5 Digital Art: Focused on foundational concepts like line, color, and mood, including reflection prompts for visual literacy, 6-8 STEM Challenges: Eight hands-on engineering projects (using low-cost materials like cardboard and tape) that follow the NGSS Engineering Design Process, K-2 STEM: A specialized unit using crayons to explore the properties of matter and basic design. Also included is a "Summer Memory Book" template that allows campers to document their experiences with photos, audio, and video, and share them with families. Recreate the book templates using the remix-to-library link in each book's preview.
tag(s): digital storytelling (166), engineering (141), logic (166), puzzles (163), sculpture (17), STEM (371), summer (50)
In the Classroom
These resources are ideal for summer school teachers or camp directors seeking a grab-and-go curriculum that requires no setup; however, they also include many possibilities for classroom use throughout the school year--using the built-in tools provided by Book Creator and Kami, reviewed here, students can easily record video walkthroughs of their STEM prototypes or narrate their digital art pieces. Use digital journals to help students think like engineers by documenting their experiments' trials and failures through video and annotation. Use the journals during the school year to complement STEM Friday learning activities, for monthly design challenges, or to document maker-space activities. For units on plants, weather, or ecosystems, give students a "Digital Observation Log" in Kami. They can use the Picture Dictionary and Speech-to-Text tools to document what they see in real-time during a lab.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Michaels Classes - Michaels
Grades
K to 12
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The Michaels Classes page offers a wide range of creative learning opportunities for students, teachers, and hobbyists of all skill levels. The platform features live online classes...more
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The Michaels Classes page offers a wide range of creative learning opportunities for students, teachers, and hobbyists of all skill levels. The platform features live online classes led by expert instructors, as well as a large library of pre-recorded, on-demand video tutorials that allow learners to work at their own pace. Topics span numerous art and craft areas, including painting, drawing, knitting, crochet, jewelry making, baking, and seasonal DIY projects. In addition to virtual learning, the site connects users to in-store workshops, events, and kids' activities, many of which are free or low-cost. Teachers can also access project ideas, step-by-step instructions, and pattern libraries, making this a flexible resource for integrating hands-on, creative learning experiences into the classroom or for enrichment activities.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
While watching the sessions, children can take notes in Google Keep, reviewed here. Students can use Timeline Infographic Templates by Canva, reviewed here to create step-by-step instructions to complete the project. Students can showcase their projects by creating a book in Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva Camp - Canva
Grades
4 to 12
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Canva Camp is a free, online creative design camp for children and teens ages 10 and up. Students complete five days of self-paced, pre-recorded video lessons using ready-made Canva...more
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Canva Camp is a free, online creative design camp for children and teens ages 10 and up. Students complete five days of self-paced, pre-recorded video lessons using ready-made Canva templates and step-by-step guidance to design projects such as magazines, bullet journals, wallpapers, posters, invitations, and more. The camp includes a private community for students and parents to share projects and ask questions. No Canva Pro account is required, but students do need a free Canva account to participate.
tag(s): creativity (85), graphic design (49), journals (22), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Students can design templates using Canva for Education, reviewed here. Students can share their projects on a virtual bulletin board such as Lino, reviewed here. Students can create video tutorials using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here sharing the steps to making their digital design.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Apple Camp - Apple
Grades
K to 4
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Apple Camp is a free annual summer program hosted at various Apple Store locations and designed for children ages 6 through 10. The ninety-minute session guides children through hands-on...more
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Apple Camp is a free annual summer program hosted at various Apple Store locations and designed for children ages 6 through 10. The ninety-minute session guides children through hands-on activities with various Apple products, such as recording, editing, and adding sound effects in iMovie, or producing music in GarageBand. Registration usually opens in June and fills up quickly, so sign up for Today at Apple notifications to be the first to hear about all events.
tag(s): digital storytelling (166), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Students can learn how to use Apple products, including iMovie and GarageBand. Students can share their learning by creating a step-by-step guide using Google Slides, reviewed here. Students can share something that they learned on a virtual bulletin board such as Stickies.io, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Summer Reading Resources: Journals, Author Studies, and More - Kami
Grades
3 to 8
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The Kami blog post Summer Reading Resources: Journals, Author Studies, and More provides teachers with a collection of ready-to-use tools to keep students engaged in reading...more
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The Kami blog post Summer Reading Resources: Journals, Author Studies, and More provides teachers with a collection of ready-to-use tools to keep students engaged in reading over the summer months. The post includes ideas for setting up a summer library, highlights author studies featuring writers such as Beth Campbell, Susan Hood, Bob Shea, and Adam Rex, and offers printable and digital reading logs. It also features interactive templates through Book Creator for reading response journals, along with themed activities for June, July, and August that support comprehension, reflection, and other key literacy skills.
tag(s): authors (113), digital storytelling (166), journals (22), literacy (124), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Copy and complete the book templates from Book Creator, reviewed here. Use Kami, reviewed here to write on the PDFs Summer Reading Logs. Learn more about the authors featured using Kiddle, reviewed here.
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AI Program for High School Students - Veritas AI
Grades
8 to 12
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Veritas AI is an online educational platform designed to introduce middle and high school students to artificial intelligence through hands-on, project-based learning. Founded and run...more
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Veritas AI is an online educational platform designed to introduce middle and high school students to artificial intelligence through hands-on, project-based learning. Founded and run by Harvard graduates, the program offers a range of courses and mentorship opportunities in which students learn foundational concepts such as machine learning and Python, collaborate with peers, and develop their own AI projects in areas such as medicine, finance, or environmental science. With options ranging from beginner bootcamps to advanced research fellowships, Veritas AI emphasizes real-world application, personalized mentorship, and skill-building that support future academic and career pathways in STEM fields.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (303), coding (109), seasonal (48), STEM (371), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Have students brainstorm where they encounter artificial intelligence in their daily lives (e.g., voice assistants, recommendations, games). Create a class anchor chart, then have students categorize examples (health, entertainment, transportation). Introduce students to beginner-friendly coding with Scratch, reviewed here. Have them create a simple program, such as a quiz or decision-making game, to simulate how AI follows rules and logic. Have students identify a real-world problem (in school, community, or environment) and design an AI solution. They can present through slides, posters, or short videos using Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here explaining the problem, how AI would help, and potential challenges.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CS50: Introduction to Computer Science - Harvard University
Grades
7 to 12
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The Harvard University CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course (available through Harvard Online) is a free, self-paced, entry-level program designed for both beginners and students...more
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The Harvard University CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course (available through Harvard Online) is a free, self-paced, entry-level program designed for both beginners and students with prior experience. Taught by David J. Malan, the course introduces the fundamentals of computer science and programming, focusing on problem-solving, computational thinking, and real-world applications. Students explore key topics such as algorithms, data structures, abstraction, software engineering, and web development while gaining experience with multiple programming languages, including C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through problem sets and a final project, helping learners build a strong foundation in coding and in thinking like a computer scientist.
tag(s): coding (109), computational thinking (45), computers (115), problem solving (275), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Have students create a step-by-step algorithm for a simple real-world task, such as making a sandwich or organizing a backpack. Then, have classmates "test" the algorithm exactly as written to highlight the importance of precision and sequencing, just like in programming. Use selected beginner-friendly problem sets or videos from CS50 and have students try small coding tasks. Afterward, students can write a short reflection explaining how they solved the problem and what challenges they faced, reinforcing computational thinking. Have students design a basic project, such as a simple website, quiz game, or interactive story, using concepts learned from the course.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass - Planet Fitness
Grades
8 to 12
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Planet Fitness offers a free summer pass at participating locations for teens ages 14-19. The pass is available from mid-May through the end of August. and provides access to equipment...more
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Planet Fitness offers a free summer pass at participating locations for teens ages 14-19. The pass is available from mid-May through the end of August. and provides access to equipment and fitness classes. Preregister to receive a digital pass located on your Planet Fitness app. In addition to the digital pass, the app includes a variety of workouts, categorized by fitness level, that guide participants toward achieving personal goals. Also, Planet Fitness is keeping a leaderboard tracking participating schools in the US and Canada; the top five schools from each country are eligible to win a $10,000 grant.
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This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
If there is a Planet Fitness near you, encourage students to sign up and participate in fitness activities offered over the summer. If there isn't a nearby location, ask students to check with local gyms to see if they offer free summer activities for students. Engage and motivate students by asking them to design and share flyers about the benefits of good fitness. Canva for Education, reviewed here, and Genially, reviewed here, offer many options for creating visually appealing and interactive flyers. Ask students to create charts and graphs as they participate in their summer fitness program as a motivational tool. LiveGap Charts, reviewed here, offers a free online chart maker that doesn't require registration and includes many templates to customize the look and information shared on charts.
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What Do Snowmen Do In Summer? - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8
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What Do Snowmen Do In Summer? - is one of the TeachersFirst Help! I lost my media/library specialist collection found here that...more
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What Do Snowmen Do In Summer? - is one of the TeachersFirst Help! I lost my media/library specialist collection found here that features topics and resources that focus on integrating literacy with technology. The Introduction and Background Knowledge discuss how important it is, yet how hard it is, to keep children engaged in literacy once summer vacation arrives and the weather gets nice. The Activities suggest how to get books into kid's hands with links and ideas for where to find them. Some exciting ideas for activities are offered, such as Camp Book-it, Chuck E Cheese Reward Calendar, and a few others. The last section of the article suggests Extension activities you may not have thought about regarding summer literacy. Ideas found on this resource include correlation to ISTE and AASL National School Library Standards.
tag(s): commoncore (61), literacy (124), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Browse through the suggested activities found in this article. Then, create a Wakelet, reviewed here, page of books and ideas, and post it on your teacher or school webpage. If the school library is open during the summer, ask them to post your Wakelet page, too. Wakelet gives you the ability to have a cover image and background for your wakes, which makes them much more engaging and easily identifiable, especially for young or visual students!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Start with a Book - Reading Rockets
Grades
K to 6
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Do you need ideas to engage students in reading over the summer? Start with a Book shares free resources based on topics kids already like, such as superheroes, music, and ...more
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Do you need ideas to engage students in reading over the summer? Start with a Book shares free resources based on topics kids already like, such as superheroes, music, and dinosaurs. Find 24 different topics with specific books and activities to get students reading and creating. In addition to the book lists and activities, Start with a Book includes book-based summer science activities and toolkits, and guides for at-home learning. Other information on the site has tips for parents on increasing reading fluency in English, Spanish, and nine different languages. Sign up for weekly messages that deliver updates and motivational tips.
tag(s): independent reading (83), parents (52), preK (322), reading lists (76), reading strategies (93), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Share this website with parents as a resource to maintain learning over the summer break. Subscribe to the weekly text messages and pass them on to parents and guardians of your students. Use the toolkits found on this site to conduct mini science or reading camps over the summer. Share the list of books with your local library and ask them to include them on summer reading lists or to conduct mini reading camps over the summer using the toolkits. These ideas aren't just for summer! Keep these toolkits handy to use when teaching science and reading during the school year to engage students. Post the Growing Readers tip sheets on your class website throughout the school year to help parents work with students at home on reading skills.
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BOOK IT! Summer Reading Program - Pizza Hut
Grades
K to 6
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BOOK IT! offers a summer home reading program where students in grades PreK-6 earn monthly rewards for achieving reading goals. After enrolling in the program, parents use the digital...more
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BOOK IT! offers a summer home reading program where students in grades PreK-6 earn monthly rewards for achieving reading goals. After enrolling in the program, parents use the digital dashboard to track their student's reading progress during June, July, and August. Move the slider to certify completion of the preset goal to receive a certificate to redeem at Pizza Hut for a personal pan pizza. Other features found on this site include a series of ongoing articles with activities and book recommendations; under Resources at the top, slide to Teacher Toolbox to find activities and calendars to track reading.
tag(s): independent reading (83), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Share Camp BOOK IT! with parents to encourage reading over the summer months. Use this program as an opportunity to collaborate with parents to engage students in reading by providing a reading list for students that includes books that appeal to your students. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to share suggested titles of books for students, and use the stream feature to organize the titles into different categories. Encourage students to add comments to your Padlet, sharing their book reviews. Enhance your students' summer reading experience by creating a topic using Gravity, reviewed here, and ask students to contribute video book talks discussing their reading. Another idea is to create a Summer Bingo topic. Attach a Bingo form to your Gravity topic with different squares to complete. Ideas might be reading a biography, starting a new book series, or sharing a book with a friend.
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Summer Reading Journal - Barnes and Noble
Grades
K to 6
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Barnes and Noble provides a summer reading program for students in grades 1-6. The list starts with titles for reading divided into three grade bands. Students complete the journal...more
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Barnes and Noble provides a summer reading program for students in grades 1-6. The list starts with titles for reading divided into three grade bands. Students complete the journal by listing eight books they read from the list, then sharing their favorite portion of the book and a short explanation of why. Upon completion, students bring their record to Barnes and Noble between July 1 and August 31, to receive a free book.
tag(s): book lists (161), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Depending on the month you check the booklist, you may find last summers books or the current summers books. No matter the list, it provides ideas to add to any summer reading book list shared with students and parents. Create a list using Google Docs or Padlet, reviewed here to share a variety of reading materials to engage students in summer learning. Encourage students to share their summer reading by creating a collaborative topic using Padlet again, but this time use. This is a link to Padlet's Help section for posting video or an image. Ask students to share what they are reading and a short review with a video response. Encourage students to add comments to book reviews sharing their thoughts about the reading materials.
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PBS Summer of Adventure - PBS Kids
Grades
K to 3
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Not just for summer! Enjoy learning at home all year-round with PBS Kids Summer of Adventure. Download the free Summer Activity Book for new daily adventures, such as using bath ...more
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Not just for summer! Enjoy learning at home all year-round with PBS Kids Summer of Adventure. Download the free Summer Activity Book for new daily adventures, such as using bath time to explore math or learn how to make a bird feeder. Scroll through the site to find reading charts, map skills, activity booklets, collections such as Observing Nature, Sharing Your Creativity Through the Arts, and much more. Did you find this site too late for summer? No worries, there are plenty of activities throughout the year. Be sure to check the bottom of the page for the "What's On Today" PBS shows.
tag(s): calendars (36), literacy (124), preK (322), reading lists (76), seasonal (48), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many free activities on this site; be sure to share with parents for ideas on learning at home. Consider having a "summer" day in the middle of winter as you enjoy summer activities in the warmth of the indoors. Share with parents at the end of the school year as a great resource for learning during the summer months.
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