Simple Summer Activities for Preschoolers and Kids
Looking for things to do during the time off from school? These Summer Activities for Preschoolers are perfect! The last stretch of summer can be the hardest, but this list of ideas can help! Use these summer activities to make plans, and many of them are free to do!
Each one listed below offers the perfect opportunity to create lasting family memories and make this a summer that no one will forget!
Looking for more affordable summer fun? Check out these 50 creative ideas to make your kids’ summer unforgettable!
How do I keep a child entertained during the summer months?
Structure + choice = happy, busy summer days. Keep it simple, fun, and connected to your child’s interests. Here are a few fun ideas to make the days of summer educational and fun!
Theme Weeks
Pick a theme each week—like space, dinosaurs, or cooking—and center books, crafts, and activities around it. It gives structure without feeling like school.
Daily Routine with Flexibility
Use a loose schedule (e.g. “morning craft, afternoon outside, evening reading”) to create predictable fun. Add in “free choice” hours to keep things relaxed.
Outdoor Adventures
- Backyard obstacle courses
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Sidewalk chalk art contests
- Water balloon baseball
Creative Play Indoors
- Build blanket forts
- Make stop-motion videos with toys
- Try DIY science experiments
- Set up a mini “restaurant” or “store” for pretend play
Pretend Play for Kids
Check out these fun pretend play resources for kids!
Skill-Building Fun
Sneak in learning with:
- Baking (math + science!)
- Simple coding games
- Art projects with steps and planning
- Building Lego challenges or puzzles
Camp at Home
Recreate the feel of summer camp with:
- “Campfire” stories (real or fake fire)
- S’mores nights
- Talent shows
- Nature crafts
Low-Key Screen Time
Use wisely with:
- Audiobooks
- Educational games
- Nature or science shows
Mix screen time with hands-on activity afterward for balance.
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How do I balance screen time and learning fun during the summer months?
Balancing screen time and learning fun during the summer is totally doable with a little strategy and creativity. Here’s how to strike that sweet spot:
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Set a Daily Screen Time Rhythm
Instead of setting hard limits, try setting time slots:
- Morning: creative/educational play
- Afternoon: screen time (1–2 hrs)
- Evening: family activity or outdoor time
Screens become a predictable part of the day—not the whole day.
Make Screen Time Count
Choose quality over quantity:
- Educational apps
- Documentaries or YouTube learning channels
- Audiobooks or podcasts for quiet, screen-free learning
If they’re learning and engaged, it’s time well spent.
Tie Screen Time to Real-World Fun
Bridge digital and hands-on learning:
- Watch a baking video → then bake it together
- Learn about sharks → then draw them or play ocean trivia
- Play a geography game → then plan a “pretend trip”
Screens become a launchpad, not a dead-end.
Create a “Must-Do Before You View” List
Before screens, have kids complete:
✅ 30 mins reading
✅ A craft, puzzle, or outdoor play
✅ A chore or creative task
This builds habits and rewards initiative.
Use Tech-Free Time as a Bonus, Not a Punishment
Schedule intentional “screen-free” hours with:
- Board games
- Backyard science
- Library visits
- Water play
Frame it as fun, not deprivation.
Let Kids Help Set the Rules
Invite their input: “What screen-free ideas do you love?” or “How much time feels fair each day?”
When kids help make the rules, they’re more likely to follow them.
Screen time doesn’t have to be the enemy—it just needs to be balanced. Blend tech, learning, and fun to create a summer that’s both smart and screen-savvy.
More Summer Activities for Kids:
- Indoor Activities for Preschoolers
- Lower Elementary Summer Activity Pack
- Upper Elementary Summer Activity Pack
- 28 Things to do at Home
- 23 Things for Kids to Make this Summer
Summer Learning Printable Activities
Check out these fun summer worksheets for the kids! Excellent to combat the summer slide!
Which of these fun preschool summer activities are the kids going to start with first?
