Here Comes Summer! Activities for When You’re All Out of Ideas

Do you struggle finding things to do with children during the summer? Here’s a few ideas to add a little extra fun every week!

Make Fruit “S’mores”
Stack graham crackers, cream cheese (or yogurt), and fruits such as strawberries, bananas, peaches, and blueberries.


Plant Herbssummer-potted plant
Children are fascinated watching things grow! Use small pots to plant different herbs to grow inside. Have the children check on their plants periodically to see how they change.


Create Sponge Balls
All you need are some soft sponges and zip ties or sturdy string. Cut 2 sponges into long strips. Line them up so the edges are aligned. Tightly tie the strips together in the middle with a zip tie or string. The strips will point in all directions once tied. Use them to wash toys, at the water table, or in outdoor water games. Rinse with soap and water and dry thoroughly after use.


Make Suncatchers
Use paper plates, cello paper, and ribbon to create familiar shapes such as a watermelon slice, lemon, lime, sun, moon, etc.


Start a Nature Collection

Kids in forest with a magnifying glass

Have children collect items from outdoors such as rocks, leaves, grass, flowers, etc. during walks or playtime throughout the summer. At the end of the summer, you can sort and count items. Then glue everything onto a poster display board as you talk about your collecting adventures.


Make Discovery Bottles
Fill plastic bottles with sand, and add a variety of small items that children can identify such as paper shapes, buttons, and plastic bugs. Seal the bottles with heavy tape or epoxy glue. Manipulate the bottles to make each of the objects appear, and challenge the children to name them and their color and shape!


Do a Science Experiment
Try any (or all!) of our science activities with step-by-step instructions:

Gummy Bear Science

Sea Foam Sensory Play

Fizzy Color Cubes

Magically Clean Pennies

Do Oil and Water Mix?

The Great Sunscreen Experiment

Experimenting with Density

Surprise! No Leak!


Review the AlphabetABC of Learning
Summer can include learning too! Review the alphabet with ideas such as: alphabet blocks, letter sponges, stencils, stamps, and stickers in the art area, and letter magnets for the refrigerator or file cabinet. Use the free enrichment activities from FunShine Express to review word families and sight words. Find those here.

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