17 Joyful Preschool Summer Activities for Kids Ideas

When I first transitioned from being a teacher to a stay-at-home mom of four, I thought planning summer activities for kids would be second nature. Spoiler alert it wasn’t. Despite my experience, I quickly found that creating a summer plan outside the structure of a classroom was a whole different ballgame.

I remember one summer looking at the calendar thinking, “What now?” My preschooler had just finished the school year, and suddenly, every day stretched endlessly with possibilities and no nap breaks for mom.

Back when I was teaching, I used to plan themed days my favorite was the book character dress-up where kids paraded around like Pete the Cat or The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It was simple, imaginative fun that sparked conversation and laughter. I started bringing those activities home to my own children.

We’d act out favorite stories, create DIY splash pads, and even do our own “mini-camps” at home. That one small idea taking what I used to do as a teacher and adapting it to my kids’ interests completely changed our summers.

Now, when other parents ask what to do with their little ones during break, I always say: don’t overcomplicate it. The best summer activities for kids are the ones that feel doable and joyful.

Mix in a few part-time camps if they’re available, use memberships like the zoo or children’s museum when it’s not too hot, and sprinkle in creative, home-based ideas like a themed dress-up day, bubble obstacle course, or DIY story time.

Whether it’s camp, Grandma’s house, or your own backyard, the goal isn’t to fill every hour. It’s to create moments they’ll remember and ones you’ll enjoy too. To make the task more easy, I collected below these 17 joyful preschool summer activities for kids comes with tips for success and variations to keep your kids learning and laughing all summer long.

17. Bubble Art Painting Activity

Mix 1 part non-toxic paint or food coloring with 2 parts dish soap and a splash of water in small cups. Use a straw to blow bubbles and press paper gently onto the bubble peaks for magical abstract art.

Tip: Use thicker paper like cardstock for best results. Try adding glitter to the mix for sparkle effects.

16. Ice Block Excavation Dig

Freeze small toys in containers of water overnight. Let kids use spoons, droppers with warm water, or toy hammers to excavate the treasures.

Tip: Add a few drops of food coloring to the water before freezing for a visual twist. Great for improving fine motor skills.

15. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a visual checklist of items like pinecones, feathers, leaves, and rocks. Guide preschoolers through parks or backyards to find each item.

Tip: Laminate the list for reuse and durability. Use a basket or egg carton to hold found items.

14. Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course

Draw a course with tasks like “Hop 3 times,” “Spin in a circle,” or “Touch your toes” along the path. Use bright chalk and shapes to guide their movement.

Tip: Spray chalk art with water to turn it into a painting opportunity after the game ends.

13. Summer Activities For Kids: Sponge Water Bomb Toss

Cut kitchen sponges into strips, bundle with a rubber band, soak in water, and toss. These are reusable, soft, and eco-friendly alternatives to balloons.

Tip: Use colored sponges to designate teams for group play.

12. Summer Activities For Kids: Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Line up wide popsicle sticks, tape them together, and draw or paste a picture across the surface. Remove the tape, shuffle, and let the kids piece them back together.

Tip: Use characters from their favorite shows or personal photos for extra engagement.

11. Summer Activities For Kids: Mud Kitchen Cooking Station

Use old kitchen utensils, bowls, and spoons in a garden or sandbox. Let children “cook” using water, soil, grass, and leaves.

Tip: Add natural items like pinecones or flower petals for imaginative recipes.

10. Summer Activities For Kids: Frozen Alphabet Rescue

Freeze plastic alphabet letters in ice cubes. Provide warm water, droppers, or salt, and have children identify each letter as they free it.

Tip: Say the letter name and sound when discovered for early phonics practice.

9. Summer Activities For Kids: Outdoor Storytime Picnic

Spread a blanket in the shade, pack some snacks, and read aloud from picture books. Incorporate songs and interactive questions for deeper engagement.

Tip: Let kids bring their stuffed animals for a cozy story session.

8. Summer Activities For Kids: Color Sorting Water Play

Fill a bin with water and add various colored toys. Provide bowls or cups matching those colors. Let children scoop and sort by hue.

Tip: Add food coloring to the water for an extra layer of visual fun.

7. Summer Activities For Kids: DIY Paper Plate Frisbees

Cut a hole in the center of two paper plates, glue them together, decorate with markers or stickers, and throw them like frisbees.

Tip: Use heavier plates for better flight and durability.

6. Pool Noodle Marble Run

Slice pool noodles in half lengthwise and tape them to a wall or fence to create a marble raceway. Use balls or marbles to race from top to bottom.

Tip: Adjust angles and length to teach cause and effect.

5. Paint with Nature Brushes

Gather sticks, leaves, grass, and pine needles. Tape them to clothespins or sticks as natural paintbrushes for abstract painting projects.

Tip: Use homemade watercolor paints for safer outdoor cleanup.

4. Ice Cream Shop Pretend Play

Set up a pretend ice cream stand with paper cones, pom-poms, scoops, and play money. Let kids take turns serving and buying.

Tip: Incorporate basic math by assigning prices to each “flavor.”

3. Sun Catcher Window Art

Use contact paper, tissue paper pieces, and paper plate frames to create sun catchers. Stick them on windows for colorful light effects.

Tip: Cut into shapes like butterflies or flowers for seasonal appeal.

2. DIY Balance Beam with Pool Noodles

Lay pool noodles on flat ground for a soft and safe balance beam. Encourage walking, hopping, or crawling across.

Tip: Place multiple noodles in a line or zig-zag for the challenge in your summer activities for kids.

1. Sensory Bag with Summer Themes

One of the best summer activities for kids is a heavy-duty ziplock bag filled with small items like seashells, buttons, or foam letters. Tape to a window or table for tactile exploration.

Tip: Freeze the bag for an extra cooling sensation during hot afternoons.

Conclusion

Preschoolers thrive when given opportunities to explore, create, and play especially in the vibrant, carefree days of summer. These 17 summer activities for kids are designed to stimulate young minds, strengthen motor and social skills, and fill long sunny days with joy and learning. With minimal materials and maximum fun, these ideas are easy to implement at home, at daycare, or on family vacations.