As the back-to-school season begins, kids shift from sun-soaked adventures to the rhythm of the classroom. While summer memories linger, so does a familiar challenge for families and educators: the summer slide.
What is the summer slide?
The term “summer slide” may sound fun, but the implications can be daunting. The concept, which first emerged in the mid-90s, refers to the loss of academic skills and knowledge that students experience over a long break from their studies.
In more recent years, this concern has only grown as children spend more time on screens during their breaks.
The good news!
Thankfully, there are tangible steps you can take that may help quell the impact of summer learning loss in kids.
One 2024 study found that outdoor play could be a strong tool for boosting preschoolers’ cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Another study determined that nature could have a positive impact on children’s mental health—an important factor in learning success.
You know what this means … keep up that outdoor time even as the school year begins!
Slide into success
Keep your kids happy, healthy, and learning by encouraging educational outdoor play throughout the year! These nature-inspired activities will keep them motivated to soak up the benefits and combat summer slide:
- Gardening: Get them growing! Give your child their own garden, window box, or even a small plant pot on your balcony and teach them the basics. Bonus points: one study found that kids who participated in gardening performed better in science classes.
- Birdwatching: Add a fresh twist to your daily walk or hike by teaching kids to identify local birds. Download a birdwatching app or get them a journal to help them keep track of their sightings.
Geocaching: Tie tech in with nature by going on a geocaching adventure on weekends! These treasure hunt activities get them outdoors while sharpening their problem-solving skills and teaching them how to use GPS coordinates. The Geocaching phone app is a great place to start.
This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
