Preschool Summer Themes and Activities

Your Preschoolers will love exploring these summer themes! There is so much to observe and do in the summer!

Below, you can find some of my favorite summer themes for preschoolers, and a free copy of my summer inspiration list. Inside this free resource, you'll find suggested summer topics to explore!
Looking for more themes? Check out our complete list of theme pages here.

Summer Fun Theme

Let's explore all things Summer! This is a great time to explore the beach. You can explore shells, animals at the beach, sand & sandcastles, and sun protection. It's also a great theme to explore popsicles, and ice cream! Learn about what melts and doesn't melt, and how to protect our bodies from the sun.

Ocean (Under the Sea)

Let's explore the animals that live in the ocean! From fish to whales there are so many marine animals to explore! In addition to animals in the ocean, students can also learn more about tide pools. Learn more about fishing, surfing, and scuba diving. Be sure to spend time discussing water safety (never turn your back on the ocean).

Make your own bird feeders

Picnic

Summer is the perfect time to grill, or go on a picnic to a local park. Make your own lunch to bring along.

Observe Bugs

In the summer the inse cts are busy! Explore the bugs you have in your backyard!

Gardening

Gardening is a fun topic to explore in summer. In the summer it's time harvest our own food! it's also a fun time to explore a variety of fruits and vegetables using all of your senses-how do they taste? how do they feel?

Go Swimming!

Summer is the perfect time to visit your local pool. Be sure to talk about pool safety!

What to wear in the summer

Introduce your preschooler to some new summer vocabulary related to summer clothes, and accessories. This season it will be important to know about shorts, sandals, sunglasses, sunhats, swimsuits and sunscreen!

Summer Weather

Summer means longer days, and warmer weather are ahead. Summer is a great time to explore science concepts such as hot vs. cold, what melts and doesn't melt, and talk about thunder and lightning!

Ice Cream

Let's cool off with a tasty treat! Your students will love exploring ice cream while they learn with these ice cream themed math and literacy concepts, and will have a blast scooping up special treats for their friends with a pretend play ice cream stand! Are you working towards a group reward? Consider an ice cream party incentive for meeting a group goal!

Go on a Hike

Let's explore! Take some time to visit the great outdoors by going on a hike.
Bring along a scavenger hunt list and a paper bag to collect your treasures in.

Community member Kathy M. shared this adorable small world play sensory activity to compliment the book "We're going on a bear hunt".

Travel

Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip, or travel somewhere new. Many families travel during the summer. Teach new vocabulary related to travel (such as this airport dramatic play pack) , and set up dramatic play experiences that allow children to "practice" traveling to new destinations.

Let's Go Camping

If you can't get out camping in the great outdoors this summer consider setting up a camping experience in the backyard, or adding a campground set up to your dramatic play space. There is so much to explore at the campsite, and so many chores to complete. Don't forget the S'mores!

Summer Observances and Holidays

You may be celebrating some of these summer observances and holidays:
June Holidays to explore: Aquarium Month, Gay & Lesbian Pride Month, Hot Air Balloon Day, Flag Day, Monkey Around Day, International Picnic Day, Father's Day
July Holidays to explore: National Hot Dog Month, Picnic & Watermelon Month, Canada Day, Fourth of July, National Ice Cream Day
August Holidays to explore: International Pirate Month, National S'mores day, International Clown Week, National Tooth Fairy Day, National Watermelon Day.