Summer Tips: Get Kids Out of the House

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Learning should be – and can be – fun. Summer is the perfect time to engage young learners in meaningful opportunities to be curious, to explore, and to discover new interests. Check out this list of fun yet educational (and often free) activities to get your kids out of the house and learning this summer.

Try Geocaching: A combination of technology and active outdoor time, “The world’s largest treasure hunt” involves searching for hidden items in a specific geographical area using GPS coordinates on your smart device. Create a free account on www.geocaching.com and download the app. Choose a cache to find based on area and level of difficulty and head out for adventure.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt: Apps like Monkey Spot or Goosechase include scavenger hunts kids can do outdoors or in everyday places like the grocery store, finding assigned objects. You can also search online for free printable scavenger hunts by topic — seasonal, outdoor or color/alphabet-themed. 

Explore Outdoors: Discover history and culture and connect with nature at a state or national park. The National Park Service offers a Junior Ranger program with interactive activities that give kids a chance to earn a badge and certificate. Bonus: Fourth graders can visit America’s National Parks for free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass. 

Roam a Local Garden: Let kids explore exhibits, feed fish, and identify types of flowers. The Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix offers free admission 5:00-7:30 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix hosts Community Day with free admission on the second Tuesday of the month. Search online to find more beautiful gardens and special deals to explore. 

Tour a Museum or Science Center: Check online for nearby museums of art or history as well as science centers for hours, special activities, and free admission opportunities. Some options near our ASU Prep campuses include Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Through Museums for All, families presenting their SNAP EBT card can gain free or reduced admission to participating venues, and some banks offer their cardholders free or discounted museum passes. Check out an Act One Culture Pass from a public library to gain free access to Arizona’s arts and cultural treasures. 

Visit a Zoo or Aquarium. Check out animal encounters, tour habitats, learn about endangered species, get involved in conservation efforts, and take advantage of play areas.

Try Something New: Research local kid-oriented classes and workshops like pottery, painting, cooking, bird-watching, coding, or photography. Consider looking into Lowe’s or Home Depot’s building workshops or events held at nearby craft stores. Perhaps a new physical activity like gymnastics, martial arts, indoor rock climbing, dance, or ninja warrior training would be a good fit.

Stop in the Local Library: Local public libraries don’t only offer books for free check-out, but also host story time and hands-on activities like crafts, as well as interactive demonstrations like a magic show or science experiment.

Can’t Get Out of the House? Take your kids on a virtual field trip from the comfort of home to places like the Louvre in France or the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tune in to one of the many educational programs offered on YouTube or keep kids busy with an at-home scavenger hunt. 

No matter where this summer takes you and your family, try to include fun learning opportunities for the kids. When planning outdoor activities, be sure to consider the weather. Wear sun protection, hydrate, and have fun! 

ASU Prep Academy Phoenix Creates Let it Snow Community Event

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While the average winter low in Phoenix teeters around 46o, ASU Prep Academy Phoenix, created a winter wonderland for the community on December 9.

The school hosted a free winter-themed celebration, “Let it Snow.” The community was invited to participate in seasonal holiday fun with the promise it would snow in downtown Phoenix—and snow it did!

Decked in comfy winter wear, guests were treated to hot chocolate, snow cones, and wintry arts and crafts. Holiday light displays, bounce houses, face painting, music and more also brought families joy. Many took part in touring the ASU Prep Phoenix campus as well. Overall, this neighborhood event proved to be a delightful flurry of festive fun.

For more information on ASU Prep and the communities it serves, visit asuprep.asu.edu.

Family Night Skate Party

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Join us for Family Night Skate Party at Great Skate on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 5-8:30 p.m. Admission is $12 and includes skate rentals (non-skating parents $5). A portion of skate admission supports ASU Prep. Come roll with us! 10054 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale. 

Arizona Tax Credit Contributions

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Arizona state law enables you to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $400 (if married filing jointly) when you donate to ASU Preparatory Academy schools by April 15. Your support directly impacts ASU Preparatory Academy’s K-12 Sun Devils! Donate today to make a difference in the lives of our students. Click Here to Make a Donation

Dreamscape Learn Work Experience – Level up with next-generation learning

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Students, want to gain experience working with people and technology? You can, through Dreamscape Learn (DSL) Work Experience. This collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and ASU merges advanced experiential teaching with the entertainment industry’s best cinematic storytelling. Students can work four consecutive hours in person at the ASU Tempe Campus. Schedules are limited. Learn more