IMPORTANT NOTE: The 2018 Summer Learning Challenge ended August 9. All completed checklists must be received by Friday, August 31 in order to receive the prize pack.
KERA’s 4th annual Summer Learning Challenge provides parents and caregivers with a structured, ready-made plan for making this a fun, educational summer for children.
The program includes calendars with daily activities, tips for parents, resources for summer reading and special summer events. Stay updated on upcoming events by checking this page, signing up for the Full STEAM Ahead email newsletter and joining the KERA Summer Learning Challenge Facebook group.
All registered children and families are invited to complete the summer activity checklist with a chance to earn cool PBS and KERA Kids books and giveaways.
1. Register for the challenge (it’s free) on our Eventbrite page. (Note: Registration is now closed.)
2. Win prizes with the Summer Learning Challenge checklist. Send us your completed checklist at the end of the summer for a special KERA STEAM prize pack. Scan it and email it to us, or mail it to:
KERA Community Engagement
Attn: Denita Malvern
3000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
3. Follow each month’s activity calendar for daily fun and challenges. Get calendar printables, videos and other materials in the resource station below the calendar.
The last calendar activity for the 2018 Summer Learning Challenge will be August 9.
Have fun!
This year, we are focusing on summer reading and fun adventures with PBS Kids characters from Super Why, Nature Cat, Wild Kratts and Splash and Bubbles.
As part of The Great American Read initiative from PBS, we’re also launching PBS KIDS Read to help children build habits of reading for pleasure. KERA’s materials include PBS KIDS Read resources along with suggested reading lists and other cool activities from some of your favorite characters. PBS Kids Read materials are located in the resource station below.
» August 2: Reeftown Ranger pledge and projects
» August 3: Under The Sea Graham Crackers
» August 4: Swimming pool scrabble
» August 6: Deep sea creature drawing sheet
» August 7: Splash & Bubbles crafts activity
» August 9: Ocean in a Bottle
Download and print this checklist, then track progress on the 10 listed benchmarks. Upon completion, have each child sign their name, then send the form to us.
You can scan the form and email it to us at [email protected] or mail it:
KERA Community Engagement
Attn: Denita Malvern
3000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
Your child(ren) will get a KERA STEAM prize pack in return!
Download this booklet for educational summer fun. Super Why takes children on a journey of words, language and storytelling.
Download this booklet for even more fun anytime, anywhere activities.
Download and print this handy chart to keep track of summer reading.
» The more adult-focused Great American Read initiative from PBS includes a list of 100 novels. Download this list of recommended children’s books to help build a reading-for-pleasure habit in children, too.
» A fun craft: Create your own storytelling cards.
» Instill an even deeper appreciation for literature with this list of children’s books about writers and writing.
» Kids and dinosaurs go hand-in-hand. Get ideas for books about dinos to read right here.
» Little kids love making animal sounds. Check out this list of books about just that — the sounds animals make.
» Browse PBS Kids app collections and download your child’s favorites. They have so many, but you can narrow them down by age or skill. You can also download music albums from PBS Kids shows, e-books and even cool smartphone and tablet wallpapers.
» Tips from the American Library Association on summer reading and learning for children
» Tips from Scholastic books on how to choose great books for children
» Tips from PBS Parents on how to talk about books with children
» Check PBS Parents’ Child Development Tracker, which provides broad guidelines on skills for children ages 2 through 8. Just click on your child’s age and then choose “literacy” to find resources on reading, writing and speaking. The Tracker also has information on development in math, social skills, self-awareness and character.
» Sign up for our Start Smart text messages and receive occasional, easy, on-the-spot tips for engaging your young child’s mind.
» Are you on Facebook? Join us in the KERA Summer Learning Challenge group for sharing updates, discussion, photos and more.
» Explore more teaching and learning resources on KERA Learn.
We would love for Summer Learning Challenge participants to send us photos of their families completing activities and challenges.
Send pics to [email protected], or post them in our Summer Learning Challenge group on Facebook using the hashtag #KERASUMMER, and we’ll add them to a photo gallery on this page at the end of the season (we’ll share it in the Facebook group, too).
View the June calendar here.
Coordinating printables and links:
» Tuesday, June 19: PBS Summer Reading Chart
» Thursday, June 21: Wild Kratts animal guessing game
» Friday, June 22: Easy pancake recipe | Animal pancakes
» Saturday, June 23: Homemade bird feeder
» Sunday, June 24: Wild Kratts Wildlife Journal
» Tuesday, June 26: Wild Kratts Wet and Wild Word Find
» Wednesday, June 27: Wild Kratts video
» Friday, June 29: International Mud Day activities
» Saturday, June 30: Lizard experiments
View the July calendar here.
Coordinating printables and links:
» July 2: Lava activity
» July 4: Independence Day crafts and:
• Books
• Activities
• Recipes
» July 5: Sundial activity
» July 6: Chocolate cherry poppers recipe
» July 7: Clouds experiment
» July 9: Writing tent
» July 10: Nature Cat’s dandelion painting activity (PDF)
» July 12: Water blob activity
» July 13: Carrot and zucchini fries
» July 16: Miniature garden (PDF)
» July 17: Nature Cat’s Daisy Garden activity (PDF)
» July 19: Plant journal (PDF)
» July 20: Popsicle recipe
» July 21: Nature Cat magnet fishing (PDF)
» July 23: Nature Cat Makin’ Tracks with Play Dough! (PDF)
» July 24: Nature Cat’s nature instruments activity (PDF)
» July 27: Cauliflower poppers recipe
» July 28: Color changing flower experiment
» July 30: Nature Cat’s Composter activity (PDF)
» July 31: Nature Cat nature art activity (PDF)
For participants living in the Dallas area, browse children’s and young adult books available for checkout from Dallas public libraries. Learn how to get a Dallas library card here.
Join our Facebook group! See photos of families at KERA summer events and participating in SLC activities, and share your own.
Questions? Email the KERA Community Engagement Department.
Are you a teacher, homeschool parent or other educator? Follow KERA Learn! on Pinterest.
Join the KERA Summer Reading Challenge Facebook group.
Sign up for the Full STEAM Ahead email newsletter.
Sign up for our Start Smart text messages to receive easy tips on engaging with young children.