5/5/2025 As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to plan enriching experiences for your scholars. Momentum Academy will distribute summer work packets to all K–8 scholars, ensuring continued academic engagement during the break. These packets will be available before the school year ends and are designed to reinforce key skills across subjects. For additional enrichment, consider enrolling your scholar in local programs such as, Unleashing Potential’s Summer Enrichment Camps Saint Louis University’s K–12 Camps and Academies offers a blend of academic and recreational activities tailored for K–8 students. To foster a love for reading, establish a daily reading routine at home, perhaps 20 minutes after lunch or before bedtime. Explore the St. Louis Public Library’s summer reading programs, which offer incentives to keep young readers motivated. For educational family outings, which offer engaging experiences for all ages. Saint Louis Zoo Missouri History Museum Laumeier Sculpture Park Additionally, if you have a fourth grader, don’t miss the opportunity to obtain a free National Parks Pass for the entire family, allowing access to parks nationwide. Let’s make this summer a growth, exploration, and fun season for our scholars! With all the excitement of summer being just around the corner, the importance of staying physically active is certainly on our minds! Staying active during the summer is crucial for our scholars’ physical and mental well-being. It helps maintain their physical health and supports social and emotional development. Additionally, summer activities foster social skills, teamwork, and leadership. Most importantly, being active during the summer months makes you feel good, and it’s good for you! According to the CDC, “benefits of exercise include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age! Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you grow. It can also reduce the risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.” Exercise can improve your scholar’s attention, boost his/her mood, and improve memory, all of which contribute to better grades. So, how do we stay physically active in the summertime? Do the activities that make you happy! Saint Louis has many fun events coming up this summer that will have the whole family moving and having fun. Here are some fun ways to stay active this summer around the city: June: Bounce Camp at Bounce U St. Louis Free Tuesdays at the Butterfly House Missouri Botanical Garden Free Admission Days July: Kids Dream Summer Series at Marcus Theatres Creation Station at the National Museum of Transportation Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site August: Funday at All American Gymnastics Little Leapers at Sky Zone Ballwin Kids Club at Home Depot Family Day at Up-Down STL Farm Friday at Suson Park Additionally, here are some fun ways to stay active at home or at the park. These activities are separated by age groups. Activities for 4-5 year olds (preschool): Hopscotch Play catch Kick a ball back and forth or into a goal Jumprope Red light, green light (bonus tip: ask them to walk backwards to the starting line if they get caught moving) Sharks and minnows Simon says (bonus tip: try to incorporate some unilateral movement like standing on one leg) Gymnastics Ninja school Duck Duck Goose Follow the Leader Play T-Ball Freeze dance or freeze tag Treasure hunt (outside or around the house, make it timed so they keep moving) Set up an obstacle course with chairs, boxes, and toys for the kids to go over, under, through, and around Hide and go seek Activities for 6-12 year olds (Elementary School): Jumprope Bike rides Most of the physical activity should be aerobic, where kids use large muscles and continue for a period of time, like running, swimming, and dancing Muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening physical activity should be included at least 3 days a week – gardening, building forts (have to pick up items), ball sports, etc. Skateboarding or rollerblading Allow enough time for free play, with other kids or with parents Hula Hooping Introduction to organized sports Hide and go seek