The school year is over, and long summer days filled with sunshine, adventures, and quality family time are finally here. Summer holidays are, above all, a time to relax—but that doesn’t mean English has to take a break.
At Maple Bear, we believe that language truly comes alive when it becomes a natural part of everyday life—not only in the classroom, but also at home, on family trips, and during everyday moments together. There’s no need to open textbooks or plan long study sessions. Just a few minutes each day, a few fun challenges, and a sense of curiosity can make all the difference.
We’ve put together seven simple and enjoyable ideas to help your child keep practising English throughout the summer while creating wonderful family memories.
1. Explore Nature and Name the World Around You
A walk in the park, a trip to the forest, or a hike in the mountains can become a fun English adventure. Encourage your child to name everything they see: tree, flower, bird, butterfly, river, rock, or cloud. You can even turn it into a game by asking them to find something green, round, or tall. Older children can practise making simple sentences, such as: I can see three birds. or The flowers are yellow. This helps children expand their vocabulary naturally while connecting English to the world around them.
2. Read Together—Even Just a Few Pages in English
Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a good story. If your child is ready for simple English books, try reading a few pages together each day. Picture books work wonderfully for younger children, while older readers may enjoy comics or short stories.
There’s no need to translate every word. Instead, talk about the pictures, guess the meaning from context, or point out familiar vocabulary. This builds confidence and strengthens language skills in a relaxed way. Don’t forget to make use of the online books available to Maple Bear students.
3. Cook Together Using an English Recipe
Cooking together creates countless opportunities to practise English. Name ingredients such as milk, eggs, flour, and sugar, kitchen tools like bowl, spoon, and knife, or action words including mix, cut, pour, and bake. Counting ingredients in English or following a simple recipe also makes learning fun. Children remember new vocabulary much more easily when they use it while doing something meaningful.
4. Play Games in English
Many favourite family games can easily include English. Use simple expressions such as Your turn., Well done!, Roll the dice., Good luck!, or You win! You can also play vocabulary games, picture memory games, or simple challenges like Find something blue. or Touch something soft. Because the language is part of the game, children practise naturally without feeling like they’re studying.
5. Listen, Sing, and Speak Every Day
There’s no need for long lessons. Just a few minutes a day can have a big impact. Listen to English songs or audiobooks during car rides, watch a short cartoon, or chat together before bedtime about the day’s adventures.
You might ask questions like: What was your favourite part of today? What did you see? What made you happy? Even short daily conversations help children keep English active and build confidence.
6. Get Creative with English
Whether you’re drawing, crafting, or building with blocks, bring English into the activity. Talk about colours (red, blue, green), shapes (circle, square), sizes (big, small), or different materials. Ask your child to present their finished artwork using a few simple sentences, for example: This is my house. It has a big garden. Combining creativity with speaking encourages both imagination and confidence in using English.
7. Discover New Places and Become a Tour Guide
Whether you’re visiting a zoo, museum, castle, or farm, invite your child to become the family’s English-speaking tour guide. They can name animals, vehicles, or interesting things they discover along the way.
You could also create a summer travel journal where children draw their favourite memories and add a few English words or sentences. Every trip then becomes an opportunity not only for new experiences but also for meaningful language practice.
Every Day Is an Opportunity to Use English
Practising English during the summer doesn’t have to feel like school. In fact, the most valuable learning often happens during short, natural moments when English becomes part of everyday life. A few English words during a walk, a simple sentence while cooking, or a story read together can be far more effective than hours spent with a workbook.
We wish you a summer filled with adventure, discovery, laughter, and quality family time. And if your child picks up a few new English words or expressions along the way, that’s a wonderful bonus that will make returning to school even easier!
