Summer doesn't have to mean endless worksheets or hours of screen time. If you're anything like me, you want your kids to keep learning over the summer, but you also want them to enjoy being kids. The good news? Writing practice doesn't have to look like traditional schoolwork. Some of the best summer learning happens through simple, low-pressure activities that build creativity, vocabulary, and confidence without kids even realizing they're practicing important skills. Here are some of my favorite screen-free summer activities that naturally build writing skills.
Many young writers struggle because they don't know what to write about. Directed drawings solve that problem by giving kids a picture to create first. Once they've drawn the image, writing about it feels much less intimidating.
For summer, ocean-themed directed drawings are especially fun because they connect to experiences kids are already having, beach trips, vacations, swimming, and outdoor adventures. A child who draws a fish, sailboat, crab, or sandcastle suddenly has something meaningful to write about.
Grab my free Ocean Directed Drawing and Writing Prompts at the end of the post.
One of the best screen-free summer activities is to just get outside! Take a notebook outside and let your child record what they notice.
They can:
Even reluctant writers often enjoy writing when they're exploring outdoors.
Challenge kids to create lists throughout the summer.
Ideas include:
Lists are a simple way to practice writing without the pressure of full sentences.
Whether you're traveling or staying home, kids love receiving mail.
Encourage them to:
Writing becomes much more meaningful when there's a real audience.
In my house, we love reading! So a simple screen-free summer activity that we do is to just simply read. However, if you want to add in some writing practice, here are a few ideas you can try!
After reading a favorite book, ask your child:
Even one or two written sentences helps build comprehension and writing skills.
Kids often have plenty of ideas but struggle to put them into words.
Ask them to draw:
Then encourage them to write a few sentences describing their picture.
Looking for more creative writing prompts? Check out this post here for more ideas!
One of the biggest barriers for young writers is coming up with ideas. Directed drawing removes that obstacle. When students already have a picture they've created, the writing feels purposeful and manageable. They're excited to tell you about their fish, crab, sailboat, or beach ball because they made it themselves. That's why directed drawing has always been one of my favorite screen-free summer activities, as it helps build confidence in beginning writers.
To help make summer writing easier, I've created a free set of Ocean Directed Drawing and Writing Prompts.
If you'd like a complete grab-and-go option for summer practice, check out my Summer Review Workbooks.
Daily Summer Activity Book for Pre-K to Kindergarten Kids With Just One Page a Day!
Looking for a simple, structured way to keep your child learning this summer? This Pre-K to Kindergarten Summer Review Workbook is filled with fun, age-appropriate activities to help your child build confidence and get ready for school, without the overwhelm.
What’s Inside:
• Phonics & Letter Recognition (uppercase/lowercase letters, beginning sounds)
• Phonemic Awareness (rhyming, syllables, sound recognition)
• Name Writing & Handwriting Practice (pre-writing skills and uppercase letters)
• Math Skills (counting to 10, shapes, patterns, sorting, comparing sizes)
• Directed Drawing & Draw-and-Share Activities to build confidence and creativity
Daily Summer Activities for K–1 to Help Your Child Get Ready for First Grade—With Just 20 Minutes a Day!
Looking for a simple, structured way to keep your child learning this summer? This Kindergarten Summer Review Workbook is packed with daily summer activities that cover key Kindergarten skills, so your child can review what they’ve learned and build confidence before entering 1st grade.
What’s Inside:
• Daily sentence writing for kids to boost confidence and writing fluency
• Phonics & Word Recognition (letter sounds, CVC words, blends, digraphs)
• Phonemic Awareness (rhyming, syllables, blending & segmenting)
• Math (counting, number bonds, addition/subtraction within 10)
• Handwriting & Creative Writing Prompts
Daily Summer Activities for 1st Grade to Help Your Child Get Ready for 2nd Grade—With Just 20 Minutes a Day!
Looking for an easy way to keep your child’s learning on track this summer?
This First Grade Summer Review Workbook includes 8 weeks of engaging, skill-based activities designed to reinforce everything your child learned in 1st Grade, so they can feel confident and prepared for 2nd Grade.
What’s Inside:
• First Grade Phonics review: blends, digraphs, vowel teams, and more
• First Grade Math review: number sense, addition/subtraction within 20, place value
• Handwriting and Grammar practice: Fix the sentence, unscramble the sentence
• Writing Journal prompts (1st to 2nd grade) to spark creativity and independent writing
Perfect for families who want to prevent the summer slide without turning summer into school.
Because summer learning works best when it's simple, consistent, and actually enjoyable for kids.
