Summer is the perfect time for preschoolers to explore, learn, and enjoy the sunshine! This page is filled with fun summer center and play activities, interesting facts, and delightful books to keep little ones entertained and engaged all season long. Get ready for an exciting summer of learning and adventure!
Months – June, July, August
Holidays – Father’s Day, July 4th, family birthdays
Weather – Warm, storms, sunny
Clothing – Shorts, t-shirts, sandals
Plants – Growth, new fruit and vegetables
Activities – Swim, picnics
Place small toys or objects in ice cube trays and freeze them in water. Have the child experiment with ways to melt the ice (e.g., warm water, hair dryer, sunshine, salt) to "free" the objects. This activity teaches child about temperature and how heat affects ice.
Create a beach-themed sensory bin using sand, shells, small beach toys, and water. Provide the child with small beach shovels and buckets to play with. Encourage the child to explore different textures, make patterns in the sand, or pretend they are at the beach and make a sandcastle.
Provide a variety of summer fruits, such as watermelon, berries, and peaches. Let the child taste and compare the fruits while learning about healthy foods and their origins. Talk about the color, shape, and textures, using descriptive words like soft, hairy, smooth, and juicy.
Math Activity: Cut the fruit and order in an AB pattern.
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Playing with water is a great way to build fine motor skills while keeping it fun and engaging for the child.
Squirt Bottle: Children enjoy using squirt bottles, whether during bath time, helping with cleaning, or cooling off in the summer. Note that some squirt bottles are easier to squeeze than others.
Pouring Water: Encourage the child to pour water between containers, either in the bathtub or outside to minimize mess.
Sponge Squeeze: Have the child transfer water from one bucket to another or onto a sidewalk chalk drawing using a sponge.
Lego Play in Water: Add Duplo Legos to a bucket of water for block play.
Provide sidewalk chalk for the child to create summer-themed drawings outside. Draw things they see during summer, like the sun, beach, or flowers, encouraging creativity and motor skills.
Academic Learning: Draw or trace shapes, letters, and numbers.
F Is for Fireflies: God's Summertime Alphabet by Kathy Jo Wargins takes children on a delightful journey through the alphabet, celebrating the joys of summertime. Each letter highlights a special part of God's creation, from fireflies to flowers, encouraging little ones to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around them. This heartwarming book is perfect for teaching children about God's love through nature.
Summer is Here by Renee Watson captures the joy and beauty of summertime through a child’s eyes. From feeling the warmth of the sun to watching flowers bloom, this story highlights the simple pleasures of the season, encouraging children to appreciate nature and their surroundings.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli follows the humorous story of a crocodile who loves eating watermelon but panics after accidentally swallowing a seed. Through fun illustrations and silly fears, the crocodile imagines what will happen, making this a lighthearted tale about overcoming irrational worries.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall tells the story of Jabari, a young boy who is ready to jump off the diving board for the first time. Though he feels brave, Jabari struggles with fear and hesitation, but with gentle encouragement from his father, he gathers the courage to take the leap. This story beautifully captures the mix of emotions that come with facing new challenges.
Summer Poem
by Idalee Vonk
Flowers are blooming
Summer is here
Just dropping in
To bring you some cheer
