The sun is shining, the days are long, and children are ready to play. Summertime affords a golden opportunity for exploratory and developmentally rich play. Nature and bugs, dirt and water, ballgames and park dates…Summer has it all. So, instead of sitting inside and trying to appease your preschooler with toys, check out these engaging activities that not only support your child’s early childhood education, but also keeps them entertained!
Call today to ask about our summer plans here at Lily Pad Childcare!
1. Water Play Stations: Splashing into Sensory Fun
Water play is a summertime classic—and for good reason! Beat the heat and break out the splash tables, sprinklers, and even simple buckets of water! This provides preschoolers with refreshing and fun sensory experiences that also support early STEM concepts like volume and buoyancy, says the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Try it: No water table? That’s ok! Water play can be so simple–Fill a bucket or container with sponges, measuring cups, rubber toys, silverware, a pitcher, or even leaves and let your child have at it! Ice and food coloring would be another fun addition that increases the sensory play, as well!
Schedule a tour with us here at Lily Pad Childcare and see the summer fun we have planned take life!
2. Nature Scavenger Hunts: Adventure Meets Observation
Preschoolers thrive with outdoor exploration–they get to observe, feel, explore and take in their surroundings. This stimulates their observation skills and helps them learn about the world around them. A backyard or park scavenger hunt helps children observe nature while boosting vocabulary and attention skills. According to Zero to Three, nature-based play helps preschoolers develop curiosity and improve their self-regulation. Who knew that some outdoor fun could be so beneficial to early childhood education?
Try it: Create a list (include pictures, if it helps your little one) or leaves, bugs, colors, flowers, and even textures (like, ‘something smooth’). Encourage your little one to take pictures or draw their finds for extra creativity and recall, too!
We love outdoor play and exploration here at Lily Pad Childcare! Come for a tour and check out our outdoor AND indoor playground areas! 
3. Sidewalk Chalk Art Galleries: Creativity in the Sunshine
Sidewalk, brick walls, concrete floors, driveways–all an empty canvas’ waiting for artwork to unfold. The Child Mind Institute highlights how open-ended art activities like drawing support emotional expression and cognitive development. Drawing also supports, writing and fine motor skills, as well. Grab your preschooler a box of chalk and watch the creativity flow.
Try it: Looking to ‘up’ the sidewalk chalk game? Try hopscotch, chalk obstacle courses or bike/trike paths, chalk paint (DIY version here), or even chalk seek and find!
4. Obstacle Course: Get Kids Moving
We all know that preschoolers have a lot of energy…a LOT. whether in daycare, preschool, with a sitter or at home, having an outlet for all of that energy is helpful, and that’s an understatement. Create an obstacle course using hula hoops, cones, pool noodles, chalk lines, rope ladders, chairs…anything! Use your creativity and challenge your preschooler to move their body and in turn enhance their balance, coordination, strength, and confidence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children aged 3 to 5 be physically active throughout the day to support healthy growth and development. We could also argue that it is for the sanity of the adults, too.
Try it: Race through tunnels, balance on beams, or toss beanbags to targets! Anything and everything can be a part of an obstacle course!
We love keeping kids moving and using their bodies here at Lily Pad Childcare! For rainy days, we have a lovely indoor playground, and when the weather is fine we have regular scheduled outdoor play! Schedule a tour today–we’d love to share our classroom schedules and show you around!
5. Garden Time: Growing Little Minds
Gardening can be a rewarding activity for the whole family, benefitting adults and preschoolers alike–physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Letting preschoolers participate and get their hands in the dirt can also provides a tangible way to learn about the environment, life cycles, responsibility, and patience. As an added bonus, allowing children to participate in the growing of different fruits and vegetables can often encourage them to eat what they’ve grown–an excellent tool if you have a picky eater!
Try it: Some easy crops to try are sunflowers, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes. Let kids help plant seeds/plants, water, weed, and eventually harvest!
6. Reading Outdoors: Sunny Storytime
Books and blankets under a shady tree? Yes, please! Reading is always beneficial–encouraging language development, creativity, attention spans and more. Combining reading with the outdoors can be a sweet way to connect with your child while also enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and nature.
Try it: Many libraries have a summer reading program to give extra incentive and ideas to encourage reading. Create an engaging reading time by adding voices and accents, acting out the story, or drawing scenes with chalk.
We are always reading here at Lily Pad Childcare. We also know how incredibly important reading is and would love to share some lovely book suggestions for you and your preschooler! Call us today to set up a tour and ask our teachers and staff members what books we might recommend for your child’s age.
Learning Never Takes a Vacation
Summertime can be an escape from the day-to-day routine, or it can be a continuation of the same routine, add in some extra sun, ball games, and open swimming pools. However, it is can also provide dynamic opportunities for meaningful connection and learning through play. Whether within childcare or daycare programs, summer camps, or spontaneous outside fun, each playful moment contributes to your relationship with your little one as well as their early childhood education foundation.
Grab the sunscreen, some snacks, and head outdoors to soak up the sunshine and see where curiosity take you and your preschooler! By incorporating a few of these summertime play ideas you are not simply keeping busy, but encouraging your little one to bloom!
Come join us here at Lily Pad Childcare, we’d love to spend the summer with you!