Summertime is the perfect opportunity to let kids be kids and have fun! However, it’s also a time when parents must come up with creative ideas for keeping their little ones occupied.

Read on if you’re looking for ideas for activities to do during the summer with a preschooler. This post outlines indoor and outdoor summer preschool activities to keep your child entertained. So get ready to have some fun!

Table of contents show

The importance of teaching summer to preschoolers.

Every summer, children across the United States are out of school and have time to relax and enjoy themselves.

While some kids spend their summers playing outdoors or attending camp, others may find it difficult to keep themselves busy.

For many parents, finding engaging activities with their preschoolers during the summer can be challenging. However, teaching your child during the summer is essential in helping them prepare for future success in school. Here are four reasons you should teach your preschooler over the summer months.

Provide enrichment opportunities — Preschoolers who participate in educational activities over the summer often maintain or even improve their academic skills. Enrichment programs help children learn new concepts and ideas while keeping them engaged and excited about learning.
Keep them organized — One of the main challenges for parents during the summer is keeping their kids organized and on track. Teaching your preschooler helps enforce structure and routine, which can be vital as they enter elementary school.
Prepare them for kindergarten — Kindergarten curriculums are becoming more rigorous every year, so your child needs to start preparing early. An excellent way to do this is by exposing them to kindergarten-level material during summer.
Expand on what they learned during the school year — If your child has been attending pre-school or a similar program, there’s a good chance they’ve learned a lot over the past year. Summertime allows you to expand on these concepts with fun activities that interest your child.”

Outdoor summer preschool activities.

There are so many fun outdoor activities that you can do with your preschooler during the summer.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Go on a nature walk — A nature walk is a great way to explore the outdoors and learn about different plants and animals. Be sure to bring along a bag or basket to collect any treasures that you may find.
Have a picnic — Pack some sandwiches, fruit, and drinks for a fun summer picnic. If you’re feeling adventurous, try hiking to a nearby park or nature trail to enjoy your meal.
Go swimming — Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and have fun. If you don’t have a pool of your own, many public collections offer affordable rates for families.
Play in the sprinklers — Kids love playing in a hot summer. Set up a few sprinklers in your yard and let your child run through them to cool off.
Paint with water — This is a fun and easy activity that your child will surely enjoy. Simply fill up some buckets or containers with water and provide your child with paintbrushes. They can then paint whatever they like on the sidewalk or driveway.
Have a water balloon fight — Water balloon fights are always a hit with kids. Fill up some water balloons, and let the fun begin! Just be sure to supervise your child to avoid any accidents.
Visit a farm — Spending a day at a farm is a great way to learn where food comes from. Many farms offer tours and activities for kids, such as feeding the animals or picking fruits and vegetables.
Go fishing — Fishing is a great summer activity for the whole family. Many parks and lakes offer rentals if you don’t have your gear.
Play in the sand — Kids love playing in the sand, whether at the beach or in a sandbox. If you don’t have access to a sandbox, you can always make your own with a plastic storage container and some sand.
Go stargazing — Summer is the perfect time to go stargazing. Head to a local park or open field and look at the night sky. You may even be able to see some shooting stars!

Indoor summer preschool activities.

There are plenty of fun indoor activities that you can do with your preschooler during the summer.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Have a dance party — Put on some of your child’s favorite music and let them loose! They’ll have a blast dancing around the house or in the yard.
Build a fort — Kids love playing in forts made of blankets or cardboard boxes. Let your child’s imagination run wild and see what they come up with.
Make homemade pizzas — This is a fun activity for the whole family. Let your child help you prepare the dough and toppings, and then bake your pizzas to perfection.
Go on a scavenger hunt — Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your child’s mind active. Hide some items around the house or yard and give them clues to help them find the hidden treasures.
Play dress-up — Dressing up is always popular with kids. Pull out old clothes from your closet, or go thrifting for fun costume pieces. Then let your child’s imagination run wild as they dress up in different outfits.
Have a picnic indoors — If the weather is too hot or rainy to have a picnic outside, bring the picnic inside! Set a blanket in the living room and enjoy your meal with air conditioning.
Make homemade ice cream — This is a delicious summer treat your child will love. There are plenty of easy recipes online that you can follow. Just be sure to have some ice cream cones or bowls on hand.
Play tourist for the day — Visit some local attractions you’ve wanted to check out. Many museums and zoos offer discounted rates for families, so it’s a great way to save money.
Educational cartoons — There are some great educational cartoons out there that can teach your kids about history, science, and more.
Go on a nature walk — Explore your neighborhood or a nearby park and look for different plants and animals. Be sure to bring a camera or binoculars to help you get a closer look.
Have a movie marathon — Pick out some of your child’s favorite movies and snuggle up on the couch for a marathon. Pop some popcorn and enjoy your time together.

Subscribe to Kokotree!

Get free parenting tips, news, updates, and content from Kokotree.

Math preschool activities during summer.

Summertime is an excellent opportunity to engage your preschooler in fun math activities. Your child can enjoy practicing counting, sorting, and measuring while playing games and doing crafts.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Counting games — Your child can play fun counting games during the summer. Try hiding objects around the house and have your child count them as they find them. You can also use everyday items to practice countings, such as cars on the street or people at the park.
Sorting activities — Sorting is a great way to help your child learn about different characteristics of objects. Have them sorted by color, size, shape, or any other attribute you can think of. You can use household items or nature finds for this activity.
Measuring games — Measurement is an important math concept for kids. There are many fun ways to incorporate measuring into summertime activities. Try filling a kiddie pool with water and having your child measure how much it holds. You can also use toys to measure the length or height of different objects.
Crafts — Many crafts involve math concepts such as sorting, counting, and measuring. Choose skills that are appropriate for your child’s age and ability level. Some ideas include stringing beads, making fingerprint art, or painting with numbers.
Treasure hunts — Send your child on a treasure hunt around the house or yard. They can practice counting as they collect the items on their list. You can also hide objects in different leveled containers (such as under a pillow or in a basket) to help them learn about spatial concepts.
Cooking — Cooking is a great way to incorporate math into your child’s day. They can help measure ingredients, count how many servings you need, or set the timer for different tasks. Let them be as involved as possible in the cooking process.
Games — Many commercially available games focus on math skills. These can be a fun and educational way to spend some summertime together. Try matching games, memory games, or even online games focusing on math concepts.
Books — Reading is always a good idea! Choose books focusing on math concepts such as counting, shapes, or measurement. There are many great titles available for preschoolers.
Outdoor activities — Many outdoor activities involve math concepts. Try flying a kite and estimating how long it stays in the air. Go on a nature walk and count how many leaves you find. Or play hopscotch and practice counting by 2s, 3s, or 4s.
Block building — Blocks are always a hit with preschoolers! Use them to build towers, houses, or any other designs your child can think of. You can also use blocks to practice measurement by seeing how tall or wide your child can make their structure.

For you

Want to keep your preschooler entertained this winter? Check out winter preschool activities.

Science preschool activities during summer.

Summertime is an excellent opportunity to explore science concepts with your preschooler. There are many fun activities that you can do together to help them learn about the world around them.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Nature walks — Take a walk around your neighborhood, visit a nearby park, and explore the natural world together. Look for birds, insects, flowers, trees, and anything else—this is an excellent opportunity to point out different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Beachcombing — If you’re lucky enough to live near a beach, take advantage of it! Spend some time looking for shells, rocks, and other exciting items. You can also look for creatures such as crabs or sand dollars.
Bug catching — Kids are fascinated by bugs! Help them see some (safe) insects and look them up close with a magnifying glass. You can also put them in a jar with some air holes for temporary observation.
Water play — Water is always a hit with preschoolers! Fill up a kiddie pool, buy cheap sprinklers, or just use the hose for water fun. You can also add some food coloring to the water to make it more exciting.
Bubbles — Bubbles are another summertime favorite! You can buy bubble solution or make your own with dish soap and water. Have fun blowing bubbles, catching them, and popping them.
Coloring pages — Coloring pages for preschoolers is a great activity for the summer or any other season.
Planting — Planting is a great way to teach your child about plant growth and life cycle. Start with easy-to-grow plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or zucchini. You can also grow herbs in a pot on your balcony or deck.
Sunprints — This activity is a great way to teach your child about the sun’s power. Place objects on top of light-sensitive paper and set them in the sun for a few minutes. The sun will “print” the object’s shadow onto the paper.
Star gazing — Take a blanket outside and lie down to look at the stars. See if you can find constellations or just enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
Cloud watching — Lie on your back and watch the clouds drift. See if you can identify different shapes in the shadows. This is also an excellent opportunity to talk about the weather.
Rainy day science — Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with science! Go outside and jump in puddles, make homemade rain gauges, or experiment with different materials’ absorption of water.

Art preschool activities during summer.

Summertime is an excellent opportunity for parents to get creative with their kids and do fun art activities. There are many different kinds of art, so it’s easy to find something you and your child will enjoy. This section will provide a few ideas for summer art preschool activities. Let’s get started!

Painting — Take advantage of the nice weather and set up a painting station outdoors. Use washable paint so you don’t have to worry about stains. You can also use tempera paint if the colors are more vibrant.
Sidewalk chalk — This is an excellent activity for hot days when you don’t want to be outside for too long. Draw pictures or write words with chalk on the sidewalk or driveway.
Nature collage — Collect leaves, sticks, flowers, and stones on a nature walk and use them to create a collage. You can glue them onto paper or cardboard or arrange them however you like.
Sand art — Fill bottles or jars of different colors and design your sand art masterpiece. You can also use glitter for a sparkly effect.
Paper plate crafts — Paper plates are cheap and easy to find, making them perfect for crafting with preschoolers. You can make many different things, such as masks, puppets, or hats.
Printmaking — This is a great way to introduce your child to printmaking. Use a potato or foam stamp to make prints on paper. You can also use paint, markers, or crayons.
Tie-dye — This classic activity will surely be a hit for your preschooler. Use white t-shirts, socks, or bandanas and tie-dye them with fabric markers or paint.
Suncatchers — They are easy to make and are pretty to look at! You all need clear contact paper and colorful items such as tissue paper, beads, or feathers.
Button art — Preschoolers will love this tactile activity. Glue buttons onto paper or cardboard to make patterns or pictures. You can also string them together to create a bracelet or necklace.
Foam stickers — Foam stickers are great for younger preschoolers who aren’t ready for glue yet. They’re also easy to peel off and stick on, making them perfect for little hands.
Magnet painting — This is a fun twist on traditional painting. Use magnets to move paint around on a metal surface. You can also use a nail or paperclip if you don’t have any interests.
Balloon painting — Blow up a balloon and tie it to a chair or table leg. Dip the balloon in the paint and then press it onto paper to make patterns or pictures.
Potato stamping — Cut a potato in half and carve a design. Dip the potato in paint and then stamp it onto paper. You can also use carrots, apples, or other fruits and vegetables.
Q-tip painting — Give your child some Q-tips and let them dip them in paint to make dots on paper. This is a great way to practice fine motor skills.
Paper plate weaving — Cut strips of paper or fabric and weave them through the holes of a paper plate. You can also glue on pom-poms or other decorations.
Handprint art — Use paint, ink, or markers to make handprints on paper. You can also use footprints, fingerprints, or thumbprints.
Leaf rubbings — Place a leaf under a piece of paper and rub the form with a crayon to copy the leaf’s veins. This is a great way to learn about the structure of leaves.
Nature suncatchers — Collect leaves, sticks, flowers, and stones on a nature walk and use them to make suncatchers. Just glue the items onto a piece of clear contact paper.
Fingerpainting — This is a classic preschool activity that kids always enjoy. Use washable paint so you don’t have to worry about stains. You can also add food coloring to regular paint to make it more vibrant.
Salt painting — Mix some salt with water and food coloring to make paint. Then let your child paint with it on paper. The salt will add texture to the painting.

Featured

Want to keep your preschooler entertained this fall? Check out fall preschool activities.

Best preschool books about summer.

Are you looking for some good reads to keep your preschooler entertained over the summer? Check out these terrific books that all focus on summertime themes. From spending time at the beach to going on vacation, there’s something here for everyone!

The Beach Day by Margaret Wilshere

The Beach Day, by Margaret Wilshere, is a delightful children’s book about a family’s trip to the beach. The beautiful illustrations and simple text make it the perfect choice for younger readers.

The book begins with the family packing their things for the day, including their swimsuits, sunscreen, and beach toys. They then head to the beach, where they spend the day playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean, and collecting shells.

By the end of the day, they are tired but happy and ready to head home for a good night’s sleep. The Beach Day is a charming book that will leave readers eager to plan their trip to the beach.

The Vacation by Arthur Dorros

The Vacation, by Arthur Dorros, is a fun-filled picture book that follows a family traveling to different locations worldwide. The family has many adventures, from the pyramids of Egypt to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

They even meet some friendly animals, including a koala and a kangaroo! The text is simple and easy to follow, making it perfect for young readers.

The Vacation is an enjoyable book that will inspire children to learn more about different places worldwide.

Summertime by Robert Munsch

Summertime, by Robert Munsch, is a hilarious picture book that celebrates all things summer. From playing in the sprinkler to eating watermelon, the book captures all the fun and excitement of the season.

The bright illustrations and funny text make it a perfect choice for younger readers. Summertime is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves summertime fun.

The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation by Stan and Jan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation, by Stan and Jan Berenstain, is a classic picture book that follows the bear family on their first vacation.

They visit many museums, amusement parks, and even the moon! Along the way, they learn important lessons about cooperation and teamwork.

The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation is a timeless book that generations will enjoy.

Goodnight, Little One by Holly Meade

Goodnight, Little One, by Holly Meade, is a sweet bedtime story perfect for summertime reading. The simple text and soothing illustrations make it an ideal choice for younger readers.

In the book, a little boy says goodnight to everything he loves about summertime, including fireflies, stars, and waves crashing on the shore.

By the end of the book, he is ready for a good night’s sleep. Goodnight, Little One is a charming book that will help children wind down at the end of the day.

The Summer I Shrank My Grandma by Lisa Campbell Ernst

The Summer I Shrank My Grandma, by Lisa Campbell Ernst, is a funny and heartwarming story about a girl who accidentally shrinks her grandmother.

When the girl’s parents go on vacation, she is left in the care of her grandmother. One day, while playing with her grandmother’s magic ring, the girl accidentally shrinks her to the size of a doll.

The girl then must figure out how to reverse the spell before her parents return. The Summer I Shrank My Grandma is a delightful book with readers laughing out loud.

Sunny Day at the Beach by Maureen Wright

By Maureen Wright, sunny Day at the Beach is a fun and easy-to-read picture book that is perfect for summertime. The book follows a group of friends spending the day at the beach.

They build sandcastles, fly kites, and play in the waves. By the end of the day, they are tired but happy.

Sunny Day at the Beach is an excellent choice for young readers looking for a fun and easy summertime read.

One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews

One Hot Summer Day, by Nina Crews, is an imaginative and colorful picture book that follows a group of children as they spend a hot summer day playing together.

They use their imaginations to turn an empty lot into a jungle with a waterfall and a cave. They even find a dragon! One Hot Summer Day is a fun and exciting book that will inspire children to use their imaginations.

The Best Summer Ever by Julie Andrews Edwards

The Best Summer Ever, by Julie Andrews Edwards, is a delightful picture book that celebrates the joys of summertime. The book follows a group of children spending the summer playing together.

They have picnics, go on nature hikes, and even camp under the stars. By the end of the summer, they have made many happy memories that will last a lifetime. The Best Summer Ever is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who loves summertime adventure.

A Walk in the Park by Salvatore Rubbino

A Walk in the Park, by Salvatore Rubbino, is a beautiful picture book that captures the magic of summertime. The book follows a young boy as he spends the day exploring a city park.

He climbs trees, feeds the ducks, and even takes a nap in the sun. A Walk in the Park is a lovely book that will inspire children to explore the world around them.

Summer is a great time to do activities with your preschooler.

Preschoolers learn best through exploration and hands-on activities. So, this summer, get out there and have some fun while teaching your little one a few things!

The suggested summer activities will help develop math, science, language arts, and more skills. And they’re all enjoyable for both you and your preschooler.

What are you waiting for? Get started today!