How to Help Your Child with Writing Over the Summer: 5 Easy and Fun Strategies

Looking for ways to help your child become a stronger writer over the summer without it turning into a homework battle? You’re not alone. Many parents want to support summer learning, but don’t want to burn out their kids (or themselves) with rigid lessons and worksheets.

The good news? Building writing skills doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, summer is the perfect time to make writing fun, creative, and connected to everyday life.

Looking for fun ways to help your child with writing over the summer? These 5 parent-approved strategies will boost creativity and keep skills sharp—with no boring worksheets. Plus, try a kid-loved descriptive writing activity using scented markers!

Here are five easy ways parents can support writing at home this summer.

1. Start a Low-Stress Summer Journal

Encourage your child to keep a casual journal—no prompts or grades required. Just let them write about what they did that day, something that made them laugh, or a weird bug they saw on a walk. Even a few sentences a day can help keep writing muscles strong.

2. Add Writing to Screen Time

Turn screen time into a writing opportunity. Ask your child to describe a favorite video game level, rewrite the ending to a movie, or invent a new character for their favorite show. This kind of writing builds creativity, vocabulary, and storytelling skills.

3. Use Sensory Experiences to Build Descriptive Writing Skills

Summer is full of sensory moments—sticky popsicles, the smell of sunscreen, the feel of sand under bare feet. These are perfect chances to practice descriptive writing. Ask questions like:

What did that taste like?
How did it feel?
What did it smell like?

Want an easy way to introduce sensory writing? Try our Scented Marker Descriptive Writing Activities. This engaging printable resource lets kids explore descriptive language through smell-based prompts using fun scented markers. It’s perfect for reluctant writers or creative kids who need a little push.

Engage your students’ senses and boost their writing skills with this no-prep Smelly Marker Writing Activities pack! Perfect for upper elementary grades, this resource offers a unique and exciting way to incorporate descriptive writing into your classroom.

4. Write for Real-Life Reasons

Real-life writing is one of the best ways to show kids why writing matters. Have them:

Write a packing list for an upcoming trip
Help plan a grocery list
Draft a letter to a family member
Create a menu for a backyard picnic

All of these small tasks reinforce writing structure, sequencing, and clear communication.

5. Connect Reading and Writing

Reading and writing go hand in hand. After your child reads a book or watches a movie, ask questions like:

What would you change about the ending?
Which character would you want to be friends with?
What do you think happens next?

They can answer verbally, draw a comic, or write a short paragraph—whatever feels right.

Make Writing Fun This Summer

You don’t have to be a teacher to support your child’s writing this summer. With simple, hands-on strategies, writing can become a natural part of your daily routine. Whether it’s journaling, sensory prompts, or real-life lists, the goal is the same: keep your child’s creativity flowing and their confidence growing.

Want a ready-to-go writing activity that kids won’t roll their eyes at? Grab our Scented Marker Descriptive Writing Pack. It’s fun, easy to use, and helps kids practice vivid language in a hands-on way.

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