5 Creative Summer Activities to Help Kids Practice English
Author: Pavel Los
Date: 25/06/2025
No textbooks needed – just everyday moments and a little imagination
Summer holidays don’t have to mean a break from language learning. Quite the opposite – the relaxed atmosphere, free time, and opportunities for fun make this the perfect season for natural English practice. You don’t need any special apps or materials. Just use what you already have at home – and a bit of creativity.
1. Create a “news report” in English
Kids love making videos. Turn that enthusiasm into a fun language activity by recording a short report or “news of the day” together.
Example script:
“Hello! This is Mia reporting from the garden. Today I built a huge LEGO tower! It has a door, two windows and a little roof. My dog tried to eat it, but I stopped him. Thank you for watching. Bye!”
You can add props like a microphone (a wooden spoon works!) or create a “News” background with paper and markers.
How to do it:
- Let your child choose a topic (e.g. “Today we went swimming”, “Building a tent”, “My favourite toy”).
- Help them plan a short and simple script in English.
- Record a short video (30–60 seconds), where they talk, describe, or show something.
- Watch the video together and praise their effort – next time they might speak even more independently.
2. Organise an English treasure hunt
This active game combines movement, problem-solving, and English – and it works indoors or outdoors.
How to do it:
- Prepare 5–10 simple English instructions (e.g. “Find something yellow”, “Jump five times”, “Touch something soft”).
- Leave small reward notes or treats at each clue station.
- Your child completes the tasks one by one – all in English.
Example instructions to print or write on cards:
- "Touch something cold and blue."
- "Jump like a frog 6 times."
- "Bring me your favourite toy and say its name in English."
- "Clap three times, then shout ‘Banana!’"
- "Find something that smells nice."
- "Draw a smiling face and say ‘I love English!’"
This helps build vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence – and it’s fun for siblings too!
3. Make a picture-word holiday dictionary
Instead of a regular notebook, help your child create a personalised “English summer diary” they can decorate themselves.
How to do it:
- Each day, your child picks 1–2 English words they’ve learned or heard that day.
- They draw a picture for each word and write a short sentence (“We ate ice cream.”).
- By the end of the summer, they’ll have a visual dictionary full of meaningful vocabulary.
Example page:
- Word: Ice cream
- Sentence: “We ate chocolate ice cream at the park.”
- Picture: A cone with smiling ice cream scoops
This activity supports creativity, memory, and self-expression – all through language.
4. Try cooking in English
Many children enjoy helping in the kitchen – and cooking is a great way to practice verbs, food words, and numbers.
How to do it:
- Choose simple recipes and prepare them using English only.
- Let your child read the steps, find ingredients, and give instructions.
- Talk about quantities, shapes, tastes, and tools.
Kid-friendly recipe in English: Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- A few ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Peel the banana and cut it into pieces.
2. Put the banana, milk, and honey in a blender.
3. Add the ice cubes.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Use questions like:
- “How many bananas do we need?”
- “Is the smoothie sweet or sour?”
- “What colour is it?”
It’s real-life vocabulary with delicious results!
5. Read simple English books at bedtime
Reading together in the evening is a calming routine – and a great chance to introduce English in a relaxed way.
How to do it:
- Choose short, simple English books with lots of pictures. Even if your child doesn’t understand every word, the images will help with meaning.
- Read slowly and clearly, pointing to the pictures and saying the words.
- Pause occasionally to ask simple questions: “What do you see?”, “What is the dog doing?”
- Repeat favourite books – children love hearing stories again and again, and this helps with vocabulary retention.
Great bedtime book ideas:
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – by Eric Carle
- Goodnight Moon – by Margaret Wise Brown
- Spot Goes to the Farm – by Eric Hill
- Peppa Pig First Words Collection – ideal for ages 4–6
Tip: If you’re unsure about your own English, use audiobooks or read along with YouTube story videos that show the text and narration.
Pavel Los, Regional Director of Meridian School of English for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, says:
“The best way to keep kids connected to English is to combine the language with real emotions, memories, and meaningful activities. That way, learning feels natural – and children often don’t even realise they’re learning.”
Start preparing for the new school year
When summer ends, English with Meridian School of English continues – or begins for new students. Use the slower summer days to try our free trial lesson, designed to show your child how fun and effective English learning can be.
Book your trial lesson here – it only takes a few minutes.
Let your child enjoy a joyful summer – and return to English with confidence in September!
