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14 Free Summer Resources and Events for 2024!

Summer break provides students the perfect opportunity to explore new interests, discover passions, and continue learning in an enriching but relaxed environment. This curated list highlights many free summer offerings designed to engage K-12 learners. From interactive virtual camps and academic courses to physical fitness activities, these resources cultivate creativity, build essential skills, and nurture curiosity during the months students are out of school. Share this list with families to help students stay physically and academically active throughout the summer.

Grades K-8

What Do Snowmen Do In Summer? Keeping Students Engaged in Literacy During Summer Vacation

This TeachersFirst original article highlights many ideas and strategies for keeping your students engaged in reading and literacy throughout the summer. It includes free learning activities, extensions, book lists, and web resources. 

Grades 8-12

Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass

Planet Fitness offers a free summer pass at participating locations for teens ages 14–19. The pass is available from May 13 through August 31 and provides access to equipment and fitness classes. The app also includes many free workouts for home use!

Grades 6-12

STEM Bootcamps

Ideal for the summer months, Numerade’s STEM bootcamps provide free, interactive video lessons about STEM subjects like algebra, physics, and chemistry. Bootcamps include step-by-step video tutorials, practice problems, and quizzes.

Grades K-6

Camp BOOK IT!

Camp BOOK IT! is a summer reading program where students in grades K–6 to earn monthly rewards (free pizza!) for achieving reading goals. After enrolling in the program, parents use the digital dashboard to track their student's reading progress.

Grades K-8

Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base

From early May through early September, this free, game-based digital platform provides a community for readers in Pre-K through eighth grade. Sign up to read books and stories, attend author events, play games based on books, and much more.

Grades K-12

Bookopolis Summer Reading Headquarters

Get reading this summer by participating in activities shared by Bookopolis. Take the summer reading challenge to read ten books or 10,000 pages to earn a badge and a free book. Second through eighth graders can join virtual book clubs that meet on Zoom.

Grades K-12

Kidscamps.com

This comprehensive directory lists thousands of summer learning opportunities (many of which are free!) for kids of all ages. Day and overnight camp options focus on sports, special needs, family, self-improvement, arts, adventure, academics, and more.

Grades K-8

Purdue University Kids STEM Degree

Engage students in earning STEM "degrees" through Purdue University! Access 10 video lessons and quizzes spanning K–8 grade bands that cover STEM essentials like seasons, fossils, and the environment. Complete all 10 for a grade-level certificate!

Grades K-6

Summer Reading Journal

Barnes & Noble provides a summer reading program for students in first through sixth grades. The list starts with titles divided into three grade bands, and students complete the journal by listing eight books they read and by sharing their favorites.

Grades K-12

Ultimate Camp Resource

Enter Ultimate Camp Resource’s world and find a variety of songs, games, and more to use at home or at camp during the summer. Download and print all skits, songs, and games or just the ones you're interested in. Some of the songs even have videos!

Grades 2-12

Varsity Tutors Free Courses

Varsity Tutors offers a series of free live classes for summer learning. Join these sessions any time from May through August and discover opportunities that will help students prepare for the SAT and ACT exams, learn about hieroglyphics, and more.

Grades 2-12

Leaps and Logs: A Summer Learning Game

Leaps and Logs is a summer learning activity for students aged eight and older that can be played online or on paper. Students use the provided gameboard and instructions to complete their choice of challenge tasks related to various subject areas.

Grades K-6

Start with a Book

Start with a Book shares free resources based on topics kids enjoy, such as superheroes, music, and dinosaurs. Find 24 different topics with specific books and activities to get students reading and creating. There are also at-home learning guides.

Grades K-3

PBS Summer of Possibilities - Play Your Way

Download the free summer activity book for new daily adventures, such as using bath time to explore math or learning how to make a bird feeder. Scroll through the site to find reading charts, activity booklets, nature observation logs, and more.

This Week at TeachersFirst

You’re invited to apply to join the TeachersFirst 2024 Summer Book Study! We’re also sharing a blog post related to summer reading and a unique part-time job opportunity for innovative educators.