With so much free time during the summer it is easy for kids to swan dive into the brain drain of mindless videos and electronics.  ALTERNATIVE? Fab educational apps and a smorgasboard of classic books to keep them busy, motivated and sharp.

Best Educational Apps:

THE ZOO

For kids ages 2-6

This app helps kids Learn about animals and animal sounds through fun quizzes

TALLY TOTS

For kids ages 2-4

This app helps Introduce toddlers/preschoolers to numbers and counting

$1.99

LICKING LETTERS

For kids ages 2-8

A hungry frog named Hoppy teaches young kids how to spell without the bore of scrabble

$0.99

CHUZZLE

For kids ages 4+

This app is an interactive, furry version of connect four or bejeweled

$4.99

SLICE IT

For kids ages 5+

This app is all about Geometry Brain Teasers

$1.99

MATH BINGO

Developed by an Elementary school teacher

Its exactly what it sounds like, except SO much better than flashcards.

You can choose all different kinds of math skills and difficulty levels to challenge yourself

$0.99

STACK THE STATES

For kids Ages 6+

This app helps kids memorize all 50 states and capitols through exciting games and activities

A World version is also available

$0.99

MOTION MATH

For kids ages 8+

Think Space Invaders meets mathematics for this  outta this world app

$1.99

My Favorite Classic Books:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer, Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Mrs. Piggle -Wiggle by Betty McDonald and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book of the Month Club:

Want these classic books to magically appear at your doorstep this summer?

Keep your kids engaged this summer with the ideal reading list curated by age and by interest by CHILDREN”S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB. They’ll deliver two books to your doorstep for three months for only a $49.44 price tag (a 50% savings off of publisher’s edition prices, membership)  PLUS a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate for your family to enjoy.

From Goodnight Moon to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Shel Silverstein and numerous  young adult novels, hundreds of titles are available.

In a few weeks, school will be out leaving an unstructured summer schedule for your kids to fall into. Fun, yes. But, how do you keep your budding brainiac sharp this summer?

With the iPad, TV, Gameboy DS and apps a plenty clamoring for attention, getting your child involved with a good old fashioned book can be tough.

According to the U.S Department of Education, children who do not read over the summer may lose as much as 25% of their reading skills and fall back an entire grade level. In fact, children who read just 6 books during the summer gain or maintain reading skill achieved during the proceeding school year **(Sources: Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling, & Examiner.com)

I have partnered with the Book Of The Month Club to promote their children’s division which is committed to keeping kids enthusiastic about reading this summer with an incredible offer for parents. Here’s the deal: The CHILDREN”S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB has crafted the ideal reading list curated by age and by interest. They’ll deliver two books to your doorstep for three months for only a $49.44 price tag (a 50% savings off of publisher’s edition prices, membership)  PLUS a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate for your family to enjoy.

From Goodnight Moon to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Shel Silverstein and numerous  young adult novels, hundreds of titles are available.

After all, inspiration is the greatest gift you can give your child.