Best Summer Activities and Crafts for Preschoolers

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So, there I was … minding my own business. Drinking coffee. Looking outside at the Crepe Myrtle leaves swaying in the wind.

Then, a bolt of panicked lightening hit me: the Kidlets have one more week of school and then it’s SUMMER-TIME!!!!!

I don’t think this next bit of news will surprise anyone around here, but I am a planner. I geek out over meal planning. I like having a calendar. I like making lists.

(p.s. I don’t like surprises)

Having a plan — even a loose plan for the day — keeps me sane and happy. And, having a plan for the Kidlets keeps them happier and out of trouble.

Trust me … even though they are little, these three can get into trouble and into stuff faster than you can blink. You know — the whole “idle hands” mantra.

As is our tradition, the Kidlets and I started working on a Summer Fun List. We each took turns thinking of places to go, things to do, things to make, and stuff to eat. Are we going to cross off each thing off our 100 ways to have summer fun? Maybe. Maybe not.

But, we at least have ideas for the long hot days of summer. Ways to keep our minds engaged, learning, exploring, dreaming and creating.

And ways to keep our little preschool hands out of trouble.

P.S. (again) If you want even MORE help planning for the Summer, I came across two resources that look like they would fit the bill:

Do It Yourself Summer Camp, by Power of Moms
Camp Mom, from 20Moms

Go to the local Park
Go to the local Zoo
Go to the local Nursing Home and visit residents
Go Bowling (for FREE!)
Go to an Outdoor Concert (check your local calendar of events to find one in your area – they are very popular in the summer!)

Go to the local Children’s Museum
Go to the Children’s Movie each week (many communities host free or $1 movies during the summer; check with your local theater)
Go to the local Museum of Fine Arts (many museums do free events during the summer!)
Go to the Beach
Go to the Farmer’s Market

Go to the local Aquarium
Go to the local Pet Store to visit the Animals
Go to your local Animal Shelter and play with the Animals
Go Fishing
Go to a local Berry Farm and pick your own berries

Take Cookies to your local Fire Department (call ahead and see if your children can have a tour!)
Visit the local Swimming Pool or Splash Pad
Go to a friend’s house for a Play-Date (and exchange the invitation to your home)
Go on a “Staycation” — visit tourist destinations in your town/county.
Go Camping in a State Park (many state and national parks have “Free Days”; check to see if your favorite park is one of them)
Go to Grandma’s House (and give Mommy and Daddy a mini-vacation!)

Have a Hot Wheels Race in the driveway
Have an Indoor Beach Party
Read everyday with a Summer Reading Bucket List
Take Swimming Lessons
Attend VBS (always free — check with your local churches for details)

Work on Fine Motor Skills
Have a Slumber Party
Have a Water Balloon Fight
Mail a Hug to Grandparents
Have a Pajama & Movie Day (rainy day activity)

Make and Play Rock Dominoes
Have a Talent Show
Make a Hurricane Emergency Kit or similar Preparedness Kit tailored to your area’s weather
Build a Sandcastle
Swim in a Pool

Go on a Scavenger Hunt (printable picture list for pre-readers)
Play in the Sprinkler
Eat Lunch with Daddy
Paint with Frozen Water-colors
Have a Camp-out and make S’mores

Grow Flowers from Seeds
Build a Zoo
Experiment with Solar Energy by making Solar Power S’mores (these are edible!)
Play Outside with Bubbles (TONS of fantastic DIY bubble ideas here)
Color the Driveway with Chalk Art

Paint on the Table (mess-free!)
Donate Toys
Play with Bubble-wrap
Nature Walk/Bug Exploration
Play Outdoor Twister

Watch Fireworks
Play Hopscotch (indoors when hot)
Participate in a Summer Library Program
Four Words: Water-Balloon Target Practice
Be Super-Heroes with DIY Super-Hero Capes and DIY Super-Hero Masks (both “no sew”)

Fish in the Bath-tub (rainy day activity)
Make a Random Acts of Kindness List and do one a week around our community
Work on our ABC’s
Begin working on age-appropriate Cooking and Kitchen Skills
Have a Tea-Party

Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint (and color/paint driveway)
Make a Bird Feeder
Make Mud Playdough
Make Crayons
Create Sensory Paintings

Make a Summer Memory Book (use Dollar Store notebook or a smashbook to record drawings, souvenirs, movie stubs, photographs, leaves, everything from the summer!)
Make Bathtub Puff Paint
Make I Spy Bottles
Create a Marshmallow Shooter
Decorate T-Shirts (puff paint or tie-dye)