A Charlotte Mason Summer

As the summer sun lingers longer in the sky and our routines grow slower and simpler, I’m reminded of Charlotte Mason’s wise counsel to give children time to live. Summer is the perfect season to lean into her gentle philosophy—letting go of rigid schedules and instead embracing a rhythm of meaningful, restful, and joyful learning. If you’re looking for wholesome, soul-nourishing ways to spend summer days with your young children, here are some ideas inspired by Miss Mason’s timeless principles.

1. Nature Walks and “Keeping”

Summer begs us to be outside—barefoot in the grass, listening to the bees, watching clouds drift lazily overhead. Charlotte Mason encouraged children to spend hours outdoors, truly observing and interacting with creation.

• What to do: Take morning or evening walks in nearby woods, meadows, or even your backyard. Bring a nature journal or small sketchbook along. Help your children notice the shape of leaves, the flight of a bird, or the scent of a flower.
  
• Extend it: Start a nature collection—a box for treasures like feathers, stones, and pressed flowers. Keep a “Calendar of Firsts” to record seasonal changes or sightings of birds and insects.
  

2. Living Books Under the Trees

Reading aloud is central to a Charlotte Mason education. Why not take your books outdoors and let the natural world set the stage?

• What to do: Set up a blanket under a shady tree and read living books—stories rich in ideas, language, and virtue. For little ones, choose picture books with beautiful illustrations and noble themes.
  
• Suggestions: Try A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, Blueberries for Sal, or The Burgess Bird Book for story-like introductions to nature study.
  

3. Handicrafts in the Shade

Summer is a wonderful time to introduce simple, purposeful handicrafts—done slowly and thoughtfully, not rushed or mass-produced.

• What to do: Try weaving with yarn, making flower crowns, sewing simple bean bags, or finger-knitting. Choose crafts that strengthen fine motor skills and cultivate patience.
  
• Make it meaningful: Talk about the value of beauty, usefulness, and the joy of making things with our hands.
  

4. Picture Study in the Garden

Even young children can begin to enjoy great art when it’s presented gently and without pressure.

• What to do: Choose a painting by one artist (Monet, for instance), look at one painting a week, and talk about what you see. Let your child narrate (in their own words) what they remember about it.
  
• Take it outside: Lay out a picnic and display the picture print beside your snacks—it’s that simple.
  

5. Unstructured Outdoor Play

Sometimes, the best activity is no activity at all. Let your children dig in the dirt, build fairy houses, chase butterflies, or play in a stream.

• Why it matters: Miss Mason called it “masterly inactivity”—the art of stepping back and letting children explore, discover, and wonder at their own pace.
  

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A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to do all the things. Let your summer days unfold gently, with space to breathe and grow. Charlotte Mason believed education was an atmosphere, a discipline, a life—and what better time than summer to cultivate an atmosphere of wonder, a discipline of attention, and a life rich in beauty?

So pack a basket with books, bring a sketchpad and a snack, and head out into the sunshine. You’re not just filling time—you’re forming souls.

For more Charlotte Mason inspired summer activities, please visit my other blog post Simple Summer Joys

If this post spoke to your heart, I’d love to invite you to join me over on Made For Home. That’s where I share more in-depth reflections, encouragement for the homeschooling journey, and practical tools for creating a life-giving home. Think of it as a quiet corner for kindred spirits—where we slow down, breathe deep, and grow together.
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