Summer Activities For Preschoolers

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School’s finally out, we have just a *little* more freedom than we did last year, and now we all need to figure out fun Summer activities for our preschoolers. Need a little inspiration? Let me help!

I originally wrote this post last year when we were trying to come up with safe, kid-friendly Summer activities while simultaneously avoiding crowds (and COVID). This year, we have a bit more freedom in how we move around, but we’re still playing it safe since our babes can’t get vaccinated just yet. We are still using a lot of the ideas on this list, and, since I figured a lot of ya’ll are in the same boat, I decided to do a quick update for you!

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Break Out The Board Games

There are some newer kid-friendly options, but my oldest two, who are 5 and almost 3, love the old-school games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, and even Memory. Add a good snack and you have a great way to spend an afternoon.

Head To The Zoo or Park

We took the kids to the zoo in OKC last Summer and they had a blast. We went early in the morning right after they opened to avoid the crowds. These days, we also frequent splash parks and playgrounds earlier in the day where they can run around and work off some of that famous, boundless energy!

Pool Party!

Last Summer, we ended up grabbing a small wading pool for the kiddos and it was a hit! Actually, I think me and the hubs enjoyed those fun, wet afternoons watching the girls splash around even more than they did! We would make a party out of it with smoothies for the kids, “grown-up drinks” for ourselves and music. Super simple, but it was always a nice time, and, as an added bonus, everyone went to sleep easily on those nights. This Summer will definitely be more of the same.

Complete A Puzzle Together

Puzzles have come a long way from the generic, kid’s ones we had when we were little. Now, there are fun culture-inspired options to complete with your babes. Bonus: once, you’re done, you have a beautiful, vibrant, new piece of art! This puzzle is available from Lisa’s Maker Space on Etsy. Use code ALLDAY for a free gift with purchase!

Start A YouTube Channel

Are your kids as obsessed with Ryan as mine are? The day I came downstairs and caught my oldest describing how to make goo to her imaginary viewers (she kept going, “Like, share, and subscribe!”) was the day I decided to make a YouTube channel for her. Ours is private, but her and her little sister get into all kinds of shenanigans on video and our families enjoy watching them (sometimes, their little brother makes an appearance).

The YouTube vlogger industry has grown tremendously. From affiliate links to sponsored posts and videos, if your kids are old enough and you’re comfortable with the idea, it’s a great way for them to earn a few extra bucks. Here’s a great how-to channel to get started.

Older kids? Let them help cook! My five year old loves to help whenever her Dad or I fix dinner. Here’s a quick, easy recipe to get you started.

ANYTHING Hands On

When it comes to fun, Summer activities for preschoolers, I’m learning this more and more with my babes: you don’t have to pull these big, elaborate schemes off to keep your kids entertained. Any good hands-on activity that they can do with Mom or Dad will do. Mine love baking, crafting, and “science experiments” (here are some kid-friendly ones for all ages).

Start A Business

I was inspired by the story of I’sis Beasely who recently opened her own candy shop inside a renovated camper. Why not encourage your kids’ entrepreneurial instincts by helping them start a business of their own? It doesn’t have to be something that puts them in close contact with other people. Open an Etsy shop for handmade gifts or resell their old clothing on Poshmark (there’s a HUGE online business for resellers). The options are limitless!

Ready to get started with Poshmark? Use code LIVELOVELIFE24 and receive a $10 credit!

Drive-Through Wilderness Park or Refuge

Buckle up the kids, pack snacks, and head to the drive-thru! Wilderness park, that is. Get all the excitement of the zoo without having to leave your car. If you’re in Oklahoma, you’ll know about the Arbuckle Wilderness Park in Davis; here’s a great list of similar venues around the country.

BONUS! 10 MORE Ways To Have Fun During The Pandemic

• Join the national challenge to read 1000 books before kindergarten
• Take a virtual tour of the Louvre Museum (seriously!)
• Go for ice-cream or fro-yo
• Build something together (put those loose legos to good use!)
• Make Jello together
• Let everyone make a short Summer Bucket List and then work your way through each one
• Indoor picnic
• Go for walks around your neighborhood
• Homemade play-dough (Divas Can Cook has a good recipe)
• Go old-school and create pasta jewelry

What Summer activities are you and your preschooler enjoying? Share with me in the comment section!