Healthy, interactive summer activities for kids

Houston, TX - May 27, 2026

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Even though the school year is about to end, that doesn't mean learning ends for your child until they return to school in August. Drs. Samantha Henry and Adriana Strutt of the Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine share activities, both indoors and outdoors, that your child can participate in to support their brain health.

Over the summer break, children can experience what is called a "summer slide," where there can be a dip or decline in certain academic skills, like math skills and reading comprehension.

"For most children, it's normal and usually temporary, and most kids can bounce back from a summer slide. For children from families that have fewer resources or are lower income or for children with certain learning difficulties, this can be a setback for them," Henry said.

She adds that brain health begins in childhood.

"Engaging in physical activity, learning, reading and getting good nutrition and a good night's sleep are all things that need to happen early in life. This is not just building brain health for a successful school year, but potentially building a strong, healthy brain that can help people adapt to changes that occur with aging later," Henry said.

Healthy, fun and engaging cognitive activities for the summer can include:

Learning new games that require strategy, like checkers or chess or other board games.

• Visiting museums.
• Participating in summer reading challenges. Let kids and teens feel they have autonomy over the books they choose. Magazines and graphic novels count, not just chapter books.
• Physical activities, like bike riding and swimming, help children socialize with their peers and prevent them from having a sedentary summer.

"Any sort of enriching activity that helps foster new learning skills and creativity is helpful," Strutt said. "Less screen time is also going to be helpful. This doesn't mean cut technology out altogether, but limit as much as you can."

"There really shouldn't be a restriction on what they choose as long as it's getting them to do that activity. The goal is not to make it feel like school," Henry said.

For more activities to do with your children this summer, click below:

• Houston Parks and Recreation
• Houston Public Library
• Visit Houston