Are you ready for summer?! This list of 55+ summer activities for toddlers and preschoolers has tons of ways to keep your toddler busy during those long summer days!
From nature project to water play, DIY crafts, simple science experiments, and of course sensory play ideas, this roundup is packed with options that your toddler or preschooler will love.
- What to do with Your Toddler this Summer?
- 57 Summer Activities Toddlers and Preschoolers
- 1. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint
- 2. Shower Curtain Painting
- 3. Make a Bubble Snake
- 4. Water Table & Pom Poms
- 5. Make A DIY Water Wall
- 6. Painting Ice Cubes
- 7. Watermelon Volcano
- 8. Pool Noodle Boats
- 9. Jello Ice Painting
- 10. Bubble Foam Sensory Bin
- 11. Sidewalk Chalk Magnetic Tile Puzzles
- 12. Make DIY Sponge Bombs
- 13. Ice Rubber Ducks
- 14. Cotton Pad Art Water Table
- 15. Frozen Lego
- 16. Make Sun Prints
- 17. Ice Painting
- 18. Frozen Pom Pom
- 19. DIY Fizzy Sidewalk Chalk Paint
- 20. DIY Bubble Wands and Homemade Bubble Solution
- 21. Frozen Flowers
- 22. Fizzy Sun Sensory Bin
- 23. Taste Safe Bubble Foam
- 24. Ice Cream Cone Volcanoes
- 25. DIY Slip ‘N Slide for Kids
- 26. Splatter Painting
- 27. Sponge Popsicle Craft
- 28. Pool Noodle Water Wall
- 29. Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting
- 30. Paint the Toys
- 31. Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft
- 32. Free Printable Summer Colouring Pages
- 33. Make Sand Slime
- 34. Fly Swatter Painting
- 35. Spray Bottle Drawing
- 36. DIY Cardboard Tent
- 37. Sponge Boats
- 38. Lego Car Wash Sensory Bin
- 39. Window Washing Activity
- 40. Turtle Sticky Wall
- 41. Painted Pasta Necklace
- 42. Make A First Aid Kit Activity
- 43. Fly Swatter Bubbles
- 44. Freeze Dance Outside
- 45. Frozen Letters
- 46. Giant Sponge Painted Fish
- 47. Frisbee Bowling
- 48. Mud Kitchen Set Up
- 49. Ice Kitchen Water Table
- 50. Snack Necklace
- 51. Sidewalk Chalk Road
- 52. Stick Ladder
- 53. Shaving Cream Sensory Play
- 54. Campfire Pretend Play
- 55. Backyard Obstacle Course
- 56. Ball Painting
- 57. Nature Cutting Bin
- Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
- Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
- Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
- Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Looking for more summer activity ideas? Check out of these other round-ups for more ways to stay busy this summer:
- 40+ Fun & Easy Summer Crafts for Kids
- 25+ Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
- 40+ Awesome Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids
- 30+ Easy Outdoor Art Projects for Kids
- 60+ Awesome Outdoor Activities for Kids
- 45+ Awesome Water Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- 40+ Water Table Activities for Toddlers
- 21+ Spray Bottle Activities for Toddler
- 20 Amazing Backyard Obstacle Courses
- 21+ Amazing Summer Sensory Bins
- 40+ Ice Sensory Play
- 12 Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Toddlers + Kids
What to do with Your Toddler this Summer?
The best part of doing activities with toddlers and preschoolers is that you can do all those messy art and sensory activities outdoors! And that are the best types of activities to try this summer with your toddler or preschooler.
And this list of ideas is filled with outdoor art projects perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Another factor that works in your favor this summer with your toddler is that they crave repetition! Its how they learn! So you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to activities every day. Sometimes doing the same activity multiple times over the summer will help them learn and save you time.
57 Summer Activities Toddlers and Preschoolers
1. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint is a fun way to paint this summer with your toddler or preschooler. Made with only two ingredients, sidewalk chalk is a great way to get creative when its hot out!
2. Shower Curtain Painting
Shower Curtain Painting is one of the most fun ways to paint and play this summer. Set up this unique canvas for your toddler or preschooler to paint and then wash!
3. Make a Bubble Snake
A bubble snake is your answer to summer boredom for your kids. Very inexpensive, s uper easy to make and even more fun to do!
4. Water Table & Pom Poms
A super and easy and colorful sensory idea your toddler or preschooler will love! Pom Poms and water!
5. Make A DIY Water Wall
DIY Water Wall is an amazing STEAM activity for kids this summer! Its a great way to beat the summer heat!
6. Painting Ice Cubes
Super easy to set up and combines art with a little science especially if you do this activity outside in the sun!
7. Watermelon Volcano
The next time you eat a watermelon, save the shell to create the best smelling volcano ever!
8. Pool Noodle Boats
Use a few pool noodles from the dollar store to craft these cute this boats for a fun day at the beach!
9. Jello Ice Painting
Turn those jello packs into colorful paint sticks with this easy Jello Painting idea!
10. Bubble Foam Sensory Bin
Here’s an easy way to make a bubble foam sensory bin for your toddler using just a few common ingredients you probably already have at home
11. Sidewalk Chalk Magnetic Tile Puzzles
Getting outside this spring and summer has never been easier than with this fun sidewalk chalk magnetic tile puzzles activity.
12. Make DIY Sponge Bombs
If you’re looking for an exciting outdoor activity that will keep the kids entertained for hours, look no further than DIY sponge bombs!
13. Ice Rubber Ducks
Get ready for a quacky and icy adventure with the Ice Rubber Ducks Sensory Play Activity!
14. Cotton Pad Art Water Table
Cotton Pad Color Diffusion Water Table is a fantastic and simple craft that combines art and science.
15. Frozen Lego
The best sensory bin activities in the summer always involve something cool and wet.
16. Make Sun Prints
Use the sun to create cool art patterns with this sun prints activity.
17. Ice Painting
Create your own paint popsicle sticks with this ice painting activity. Perfect for all ages for summer.
18. Frozen Pom Pom
Freeze tyour colorful Pom Poms in water over nights for this super fun frozen Pom Pom activity and sensory bin for toddlers.
19. DIY Fizzy Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Create fizzy sidewalk chalk for this easy art and science activity.
20. DIY Bubble Wands and Homemade Bubble Solution
Design and create your own bubble wands as well as your own bubble solution so you never run out without this summer!
21. Frozen Flowers
Summer is a time of vibrant colors and blooming flowers, but have you ever thought of freezing those beautiful blossoms to create a unique and enchanting experience?
22. Fizzy Sun Sensory Bin
Fizzy Sun sensory bin: summer STEAM activity is an easy toddler and preschooler activity. Create a sun using baking soda!
23. Taste Safe Bubble Foam
Check out this soft taste-safe bubble foam sensory play idea perfect for babies and toddlers who like to put things in their mouths.
24. Ice Cream Cone Volcanoes
Get ready for an explosive and deliciously fun adventure with our Ice Cream Cone Volcanoes!
25. DIY Slip ‘N Slide for Kids
If you’re looking for an activity that’s both fun and easy to set up, why not create a DIY slip ‘n slide for your kids?
26. Splatter Painting
Looking for a fun and colorful outdoor activity to do with your kids? Look no further than splatter painting!
27. Sponge Popsicle Craft
Create delicious looking popsicles this summer with sponges! Sponge Popsicle Craft is a fun way to get crafty this summer with your kids!
28. Pool Noodle Water Wall
Pool Noodle Water Wall is a fun summer activity for kids of all ages! Turn those extra pool noodles into a fun STEAM activity!
29. Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting
Are you looking for a fun outdoor art activity to do with your kids? Bubble wrap rainbow stomp painting is an colorful idea they will love.
30. Paint the Toys
If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to keep your kids busy this summer, why not try painting outdoor toys?
31. Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft
Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft is a fun and easy craft for summer for toddlers and preschoolers. Create sandcastle using sandpaper and paint!
32. Free Printable Summer Colouring Pages
To add an extra splash of color to their summer days, we have curated a collection of free printable summer coloring pages.
33. Make Sand Slime
If you are new to slime making this recipe is for you! Super easy to make Sand Slime! The perfect summer sensory play idea for preschoolers all the way up to preteens!
34. Fly Swatter Painting
Fly Swatter painting is a fun and easy painting activity for toddlers and preschoolers. It makes a great outdoor art activity for summer!
35. Spray Bottle Drawing
Spray Bottle Water Painting is a fun and super easy outdoor activity for kids! It is super easy to set up and clean up and a great way to get creative outside without the mess!
36. DIY Cardboard Tent
DIY Cardboard Tent Craft is a fun cardboard painting craft for kids. Create and decorate a cardboard tent and use it in pretend play this summer!
37. Sponge Boats
Sponge boats sensory bin is fun and easy water sensory bin for kids. Take the activity outside in the summer and super size it or set it up indoors in a sensory bin! Lots of fun pretend play for all ages!
38. Lego Car Wash Sensory Bin
LEGO Car Wash Sensory Bin is a fun and easy sensory bin activity that your toddler or preschooler is going to love! Let them build and then wash their LEGO trucks and cars in their very own carwash!
39. Window Washing Activity
Window Washing Activity is a super easy and fun way to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy this summer!
40. Turtle Sticky Wall
Nature Turtle sticky wall is a fun and easy outdoor art activity for kids to do this summer. Create a turtle using nature!
41. Painted Pasta Necklace
Painted Pasta Necklace Craft for Kids is a fun and colourful craft perfect toddlers, preschoolers and even bigger kids. It’s a great indoor activity but it is also makes a fun summer craft!
42. Make A First Aid Kit Activity
Make a First Aid Kit is an easy activity for kids of all ages and a great way to help prepare for summer adventures and misadventures. Let your kids help put together a first aid kit for the whole family to use this summer and beyond!
43. Fly Swatter Bubbles
Fly swatter bubbles is a super easy and fun summer activity for kids of all ages. No more spilt bottles of bubble mix. Just pour it all out and make all the bubbles in the world!
44. Freeze Dance Outside
Take out your phone and a speaker and turn up the tunes outside! Play freeze dance in the sun for a change of pace.Or simply have a dance party outside. This activity did wonders to change the mood and tone of our day! There’s something about dancing like no body is watching outside in your backyard. Nobody wanted this activity to end.
45. Frozen Letters
In Icy Letters your little one will combine STEM learning with letter learning. There are so many ways to set this up and most of the time it will lead into self directed solo play, which the goal of every sensory bin I set up!
46. Giant Sponge Painted Fish
This is an easy painting activity for toddlers and preschoolers (and even older kids will get a kick out this). Paint a giantrainbow fish using sponges! This makes a great summer art activity!
47. Frisbee Bowling
Frisbee Bowling is super easy summer camp at home activity for kids. Takes minutes to set up and great for big and small kids!
48. Mud Kitchen Set Up
Mud Kitchens are the best. In our backyard, it is the most played with toy all year round! Here are some tips to setting up your own mud kitchen for your kids!
49. Ice Kitchen Water Table
Ice Kitchen Water Table is a great way to beat the heat this summer and to get the most use out of your water table with your toddler and preschooler! Think mud kitchen but with ice!
50. Snack Necklace
Snack Necklaces is one of the best summer activities for kids of all ages. Let your little one create a necklaces out of snacks! Snack, create and snack again – the recipe for a super fun and easy idea this summer!
51. Sidewalk Chalk Road
Sidewalk Chalk Road is an easy and fun outdoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers using sidewalk chalk. Create a giant road this summer!
52. Stick Ladder
Stick Ladder Outdoor Gross Motor Activity is a fun and super easy outdoor summer activity for kids. Easy to set up and a great way to get kids moving!
53. Shaving Cream Sensory Play
Shaving Cream Sensory Play is fun and easy sensory bin for kids to try this summer. Water plus a lot of shaving cream equals tons of summer fun!
54. Campfire Pretend Play
Campfire Pretend Play for Kids is summer activity for kids. Let your little one make their own campfire to roast marshmallows, sing songs and more!
55. Backyard Obstacle Course
Set up this fun and simple backyard obstacle course that big kids will love and toddlers can also participate in.
56. Ball Painting
Bouncing, rolling, moving (and even singing)! This was a really easy to set up, good messy fun process art activity! Perfect for a sunny summer day.
57. Nature Cutting Bin
This nature cutting bin is super easy to set up and will keep your preschooler, kindergartner or school age child engaged strengthening their fine motor skills and having fun outdoors!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
Without any doubts, this summer was wonderful and enjoyable, in particular, because of your article because I have two children of different ages who are in need of different types of entertainment. It is always a big problem for me to be able to satisfy the wishes of two of my children simultaneously, but your article helped me to implement it. Ball painting has become one of the best leisure ideas for my children. Not only did both of my children enjoy doing this and be thrilled, but I was engaged in this game together with them. You conquered our hearts with this game. Also, the second activity that we have done was “Freeze Dance Outside”. I subscribe to every word you said about this game and I can claim with confidence that my children were able to release all their energy and become full of new positive emotions. Your ideas are simply incredible and golden.
Thank you so much for these kind words. It makes me so happy to hear that my ideas have brought joy and connection to an other family. ❤️❤️❤️