Here are a few more practical tips to help you fill in your summer picture-- without the overwhelm:

Tip #1: Routine! Routine! Routine!

Imagine your family’s summer like a beach vacation. The sand is fun, but without a towel to anchor you, everything shifts and blows around. A predictable routine is your towel.

Neurodivergent kids often thrive when they know what to expect. Keep some familiar rhythms in place—like consistent mealtimes, a morning checklist, or a bedtime routine—even if the activities change. You don’t need to schedule every moment, but having a few daily anchors will keep everyone grounded when the waves of summer excitement roll in.

Snap Solutions:

• Make a daily visual schedule with your child.

• Use a timer or song to cue transitions. 

• Keep a consistent wind-down routine in the evenings (e.g., storytime, bath routine, dinner).

Tip #2: Take Social Risks

Summer is the perfect time to stretch your social muscles. It is very similar to trying out a new pool float. You might wobble, but eventually, you find your balance.

Try planning low-pressure social experiences. Start small—a playdate with one trusted friend, a trip to the library’s story hour, or joining a virtual club. As your child experiences more (social) successes, he or she will likely be more open (or at least less reluctant) to engage in more social activities. For kids who need extra time to warm up, preview what will happen, and give them options for how to participate.

Snap Solutions:

• • • Attend a sensory-friendly movie screening.

    • Arrange a picnic with another homeschooling family.

    • Join a virtual summer camp to practice social skills from the comfort of home.

Tip #3: Nourish Interests and Curiosity

Think of this period (summer) as sketching the outlines; summer provides you with space to explore new interests and fill in the details at your own pace. Exploring passions helps kids feel competent, confident, and joyful, especially since academics tend to be more structured and less student-led.

Rotate activities so siblings of different ages and abilities can find something that lights them up. Whether it’s bugs, baking, robots, or reading, follow your child’s spark.

 Snap Solutions:

• Create a summer project box with art supplies, STEM kits, or craft materials.

• Try a family hobby challenge—everyone picks something new to learn together.

• Schedule weekly “interest hours,” where kids pick any safe activity to explore.

Local Resources (Inexpensive or Free)

Here are some budget-friendly ideas to help you color in your summer plans—without emptying your wallet:

• • • Public Libraries: Summer reading programs, craft days, and STEM workshops.

    • Parks & Rec Departments: Inclusive playgrounds, nature walks, and family movie nights.

    • Museums and Zoos: Many offer discounted sensory-friendly mornings.

    • YMCA & Community Centers: Sliding-scale classes and adaptive sports.

    • Local Nature Trails: Great for all ages and sensory needs.

Virtual Resources 

• • • Outschool: Affordable classes on everything from Pokémon to piano.

    • Khan Academy Kids: Free educational games.

    • Art for Kids Hub (YouTube): Easy-to-follow drawing tutorials.

    • Virtual Field Trips: Explore aquariums, NASA, and world museums online.

    • MeetUp & Facebook Groups: Find neurodivergent homeschool communities.

Family-Friendly Activities for Mixed Ages: 

• • • Sidewalk chalk murals

    • Backyard scavenger hunts

    • Water balloon science experiments

    • Family movie nights with closed captions and fidgets

    • Cooking nights where each child helps with one step

Celebrate the Season with Intention

You don’t have to fill every space on the page. Sometimes, white space is exactly what your child and your family need. With a little planning and a lot of willingness to watch the paint dry, you can create a summer that feels both peaceful and playful. 

Here's to a season of connection, curiosity, and clarity. Happy summer, families!

Are you looking for more community to support your homeschool journey? Consider joining our Facebook group. Be encouraged and equipped with resources in a community with other like-minded homeschoolers on the same journey as you!