Keep math skills fresh without adding more to your plate with these easy summer learning activities for kids!

As a 3rd grade teacher (and a mom!), I know how fast summer can fly by—and how easy it is for kids to forget some of the math skills they worked so hard to learn during the school year. But I also know this: summer learning doesn’t need to look like a workbook or feel like a battle.

If you’re a busy parent trying to keep things light but still meaningful, here are a few easy ways to sneak in some math—without screens, stress, or a ton of prep.

1. Make It Feel Like Art Time

Color-by-number math pages are one of my favorite go-to tools for review. They feel like fun (because they are!), but they secretly reinforce important skills like multiplication, addition, and place value.

If your child needs a little extra practice with multiplication facts—or you just want to keep their brain in math mode—my Multiplication Color-by-Number Worksheets are a great choice. They’re printable, quiet, and perfect for those moments when you need 20 minutes of focused time (hello, coffee break!).

And for a more seasonal option, the Summer Math Color-by-Number Pack reviews a wide range of 3rd grade skills with a fun summer twist. Think sunglasses, surfboards, and ice cream cones—all while practicing math. These are great to pull out on a rainy day, road trip, or quiet afternoon.

2. Math in Real Life Moments

One of the most powerful ways to keep math meaningful is to use it in real-world situations. And summer is full of them! Think about it—how often are you estimating time, measuring something, or figuring out costs during your day? Kids can practice the same skills just by tagging along.

Here are a few ideas:

• At the store, ask your child to round prices and estimate totals.
• In the kitchen, let them measure ingredients and figure out how to double or halve a recipe.
• On a walk, have them count steps between mailboxes, compare distances, or create a graph of how many of each color car they see.
• While playing outside, try skip counting during jumping games, chalk number lines, or sidewalk math hopscotch.

These moments don’t need to be planned or perfect—they’re about helping kids see that math is part of the world around them. When they get used to solving problems in real life, they build confidence and number sense without even realizing it.

3. Set Up a “10-Minute a Day” Routine

One of the best things you can do for summer learning is to create a short, daily rhythm. It doesn’t need to be complicated or rigid—just a consistent 10-minute window where your child knows they’ll do something brain-boosting.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Monday: Flashcard review or oral math facts
• Tuesday: Color-by-number math worksheet
• Wednesday: Math puzzle or maze
• Thursday: Cooking or measuring activity
• Friday: Real-world math scavenger hunt or outdoor skip counting

The key here is to mix it up and keep it light. This little bit of structure makes a big difference in helping kids hold on to the skills they learned in 3rd grade—so when 4th grade rolls around, they’re not starting from scratch.

Looking for fun summer resources?

If you’re trying to keep your child’s math skills fresh without assigning “more work,” I’ve got you covered. Summer is all about keeping things light and playful—but a little structure here and there can go a long way.

• End of Year Color-By-Number Reading Passages
• Summer Color-By-Number Math Worksheets
• Summer Multiplication Pixel Art

Final Thoughts

Summer learning doesn’t need to feel like school—and it definitely shouldn’t be a source of stress. A few well-timed activities can help your child feel confident and ready to step into 4th grade without skipping a beat.

If you’re looking for no-prep options that actually feel fun, check out my Summer Math Color-By-Numbers or Multiplication Color-By-Numbers. They’re both classroom-tested and kid-approved—perfect for busy families who want to make the most of summer break.

Want a FREEBIE?!

I have a FREE reading comprehension worksheet for you! It’s a color by number reading passage.

(You can learn more about these HERE!).

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