18 Preschool Activities for Summer Break
Summer break sounds fun until you're three weeks in and out of ideas.
The days are long. The whining is constant. And screens are so, so easy.
We get it. Every parent hits the summer slump. But you clicked here because you want real preschool activities that fill the endless hours without defaulting to the iPad.
Here are 18 that work all summer long.
Why Summer Needs a Plan
Unstructured time sounds great in theory. In reality, it leads to boredom and screen begging.
These stay at home mom activities toddlers actually enjoy give structure without feeling like school. Indoor toddler activities for when it's too hot, outdoor ones for when it's not.
1. Sprinkler Run
Turn on the sprinkler. Let them run through it. That's summer right there.
2. Popsicle Making
Juice in molds. Freeze. Eat. Make more. Things to do with 2 and a half year olds that taste good.
3. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Bucket of chalk. Driveway or sidewalk. Let them cover every inch.
4. Water Table Play
Fill any container with water. Add cups, funnels, toys. They'll play for an hour. Indoor activities for toddlers when you bring it inside.
5. Bug Catching
Jar with holes in the lid. Catch bugs. Look at them. Let them go. Summer science.
6. Picnic Lunch
Blanket in the yard or living room. Sandwiches. Different is exciting.
7. Mud Kitchen
Old pots and pans outside. Dirt and water. Let them cook mud soup. Ideas for parenting two-year-olds who need mess.
8. Nature Walk Collection
Walk around the block. Collect leaves, rocks, flowers. Sort them when you get home.
9. Ice Block Excavation
Freeze toys in a block of ice. Give them tools to chip them out. Toddler activities 18 months and up.
10. Painting Rocks
Find rocks outside. Paint them. Hide them for others to find or keep them.
11. Kiddie Pool Fun
Even a small pool changes everything. Add toys, cups, boats. Activities for 1-2 year kids at home made better.
12. Outdoor Obstacle Course
Hose to jump over. Cones to weave through. Bucket to throw ball into. Time them.
13. Car Wash
Let them wash their ride-on toys or bikes with soapy water. Real work in the sun.
14. Watercolor Painting Outside
Set up paints on the patio. No worrying about mess. Hose it off when done.
15. Bubble Station
Big bubbles, small bubbles, bubble wands, homemade solution. Summer essential.
16. Sensory Bin
Rice, sand, water beads. Rotate what's in it. Fresh every week. Stay at home mom activities toddlers request daily.
17. Backyard Camping
Set up a tent. Eat snacks inside. Nap in there. Sleep in there if you're brave.
18. Garden Watering
Small watering can. Let them water the plants every day. Responsibility plus activity.
The Bottom Line
Summer doesn't have to mean screen time. It means time outside, getting messy, making memories.
Plan a few activities. Let the rest happen naturally.
Quiet Time Survival
When they finally come inside, the Smart Sketch Workbook gives them something focused to do.
The ScreenFree SkillGrooves keep hands busy after all that running around. The EverWrite Surface is forgiving when they're tired. Indoor toddler activities that calm things down.