Moms, we’re more than halfway through summer—how are we doing? Between summer camps, play dates, vacation, and days at the park, it’s easy to put summer learning on the back burner. That being said, keeping your kids on track for the upcoming school year doesn’t have to feel like torture—it can actually be fun (really!). We’ve gathered a few of our favorite cost-effective and mom-approved learning products that will help your kid get back on track.
No matter what grade your little one is heading into at the start of fall, Summer Bridge Workbooks are the perfect way to ensure that the hard work your child did last year sticks over the summer months. While this workbook is for kids moving from grade one to grade two (approximately ages 6-7), there are Summer Bridge Activity books for all ages. The best part about Summer Bridge Workbooks? Each lesson only takes about 15 minutes. It’s the perfect start to your kids’ day before they head off to their next fun-in-the-sun activity.
Current Price: $10
Have a little magician on your hands? The Science Magic Kit from National Geographic (on Amazon for $30)—complete with white gloves and a magic wand—allows your kids to move through seemingly magical experiments with the included kit items and a little bit of help from ingredients you likely have in the kitchen and around the house. This science kit is a good fit for kiddos ages 8 and up, but they’ll still need adult supervision as they move through the experiments.
Current Price: $25.49
Whether you loved the Narnia series as a kid or you never had the chance to meet Aslan, Lucy, and the rest of the beloved bunch, your child will have the chance to take their imagination to new heights as they enjoy the classic words of C.S. Lewis with this Chronicles of Narnia Box Set. While the books are recommended for kids in grades 4-6, younger kids can certainly enjoy a chapter read aloud at night for a bedtime story. A word of caution: some parts of the books can be a little scary, so use your discretion.
Current Price: $38.46
It can take some time for little hands to learn how to carefully maneuver pencils, crayons, and scissors. The Skillmatics Scissor Activity Book is a creative, fun way for kids ages 3 to 7 to get the practice they need to thrive in the classroom. Kids who are just learning how to control their fine motor skills can start at level 1 (straight lines), and then progress to curved lines and shapes. Older kids can start at a higher level, encouraging younger siblings to keep working their way up.
Current Price: $14.22
Spatial reasoning is key for math and engineering, and this travel tangram puzzle is a great fit for kids over 3 years old. The puzzle kit comes with seven different shapes and a variety of puzzles—kids manipulate the shapes to match the puzzles, requiring them to consider the different ways the shapes can fit together. The tougher puzzles can work well for older kids, while the simplest ones can keep little learners involved. We definitely recommend this puzzle kit for any kids who get carsick or airsick because it will keep them active and focused.
Current Price: $14.99
Simply Sales with Alyssa and Sarah was founded by moms who were dedicated to sharing the best deals the Internet has to offer. We know how tough it can be to stick to a budget when you have little ones, and we’ve got your back. Come check out our blog for more fun summer ideas and product reviews, and don’t forget to join our Facebook community, where you’ll get to laugh and share deals with other mamas doing their best for their kids. We’ll see you there!
