Summer with little ones is a season of sunshine, sticky fingers, and endless energy! Keeping them entertained all summer long may seem overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be.
This long list of easy summer activities for toddlers and preschoolers will show you the way!
Whether you’re looking for minimal prep activities, simple crafts, outdoor sensory fun, or easy preschool activities with a little learning tied in, this list has you covered.
Here’s a treasure trove of summer-themed inspiration to keep tiny hands busy and curious minds engaged whether you’re staying cool inside or running wild in the backyard.
No-Prep Summer Activities for Toddlers
We love no or minimal prep activities – what mom doesn’t, right?! Here are some that are ideal for the summer.
And be sure to check out these no-prep, minimal mess toddler activities next!
Make a Nature bracelet
Start with a bit of foraging—snipping leaves and gathering petals from the garden. Then wrap a short strip of tape around your preschooler’s wrist, sticky side out.
Just like a nature collage, they can press their collected treasures onto the tape to create a simple, beautiful nature bracelet.
It’s a sweet and easy summer activity that blends creativity with outdoor exploration.
Colored Ball Water Play
The photo above only shows one tub of water (a cooler box—perfect if you don’t have a water table), but we actually used three: two cooler boxes and a water table.
Simply add plastic balls to your water tubs, plus utensils like ladles, sieves, jugs, salad servers and tongs for scooping.
This is a simple yet engaging summer activity for toddlers and preschoolers that encourages sensory play and fine motor skills.
My 4-year-old sorted by color into matching colored bowls. My 2-year-old just loved the splashing and scooping and experimenting with each utensil in her own playful way.
Summer Scavenger Hunt For Kids
Keep little ones busy with this printable summer scavenger hunt—perfect for park days or backyard fun.
Visit Learn Grow Aspire for the free printable
Wash a Favorite Toy
Looking for a fun water-based summer activity for your toddler or preschooler? Try a toy wash!
Whether it’s muddy trucks or a dusty plastic horse, kids love turning clean-up into playtime.
My 4-year-old happily scrubbed his toy diggers, while my 3-year-old gave her horse, Clover, a full “spa day”—mane, tail, and all. It’s the perfect blend of sensory play, imagination, and outdoor summer fun.
Frozen Toy Excavation
This outdoor summer activity for preschoolers takes a little prep the day before but delivers big fun!
Gather small toys—like Playmobil figures, plastic animals, or pom-poms—and freeze them in layers inside a freezer-safe container (we used a 2-liter ice cream tub).
Fill the container a third of the way with water and a few toys, freeze, then repeat in stages until it’s full of icy treasure.
Then it’s time to excavate! On a hot summer day, your toddler or preschooler can chip away with warm water, a pipette, or even a child-safe hammer.
Add table salt to speed up the melting and sneak in a little science learning too. It’s hands-on, sensory-rich, and perfect for keeping cool outdoors.
Make Paper Serviette Parachutes
Tape a piece of string to each corner of a paper serviette, knot the strings together at the top, and attach them to a lightweight toy.
The one pictured is “Ken” from my daughter’s Playmobil camper van set.
These DIY toy parachutes are a little fragile (as you’d expect), but they catch the breeze beautifully! A fun, easy summer activity for preschoolers that adds a bit of STEM-style play to outdoor time.
Make Plant Soup
Set up a simple mud kitchen with old pots, pans, and a table, then let your preschooler gather leaves, flowers, and seed pods to create their own “plant soup.”
Just add scissors and a bowl for collecting (with supervision), and let the outdoor pretend play begin.
Mowing The Lawn
Let your little one “mow” the lawn with child-safe scissors. This is great for practicing scissor skills on something you don’t mind them cutting! With any luck, it’ll give you a few quiet minutes.
A simple, satisfying summer activity for little snippers!
Energetic Outdoor Games & Play Ideas
These classic outdoor games and gross motor activities are perfect for burning off energy and building strength, coordination, and confidence.
Whether you’re in the backyard, at the park, or running a group activity, these high-energy games promise big fun and plenty of giggles.
“Egg & Spoon” With a Twist
Swap eggs for water balloons and spoons for salad servers! It’s a playful twist on the classic race—perfect for relays and outdoor fun with preschoolers.
Bonus: the balloons usually last a while before popping!
Sack Race
Who says sack races are just for parties? This timeless outdoor activity for preschoolers is always a hit—and all you need are a few pillowcases and some open space.
Water Cup Racing
Have your preschooler race to fill a bucket by running back and forth with a cup of water—without spilling. It’s a fun, active summer game that’s perfect for hot days.
My 3-year-old loved it—her competitive streak came out in full force!
Visual Treasure Hunt
Snap photos of different spots around your yard, place a toy at each one, and let your preschooler match the photos to the real locations to find the toys. Easy to adapt for different ages—zoom in for older kids, keep it obvious for toddlers.
A creative and flexible outdoor summer activity!
The Best Giant Bubble Recipe
Big bubbles, big fun! Blow giant bubbles with this DIY bubble mix from Fox Farm Home and let the kids run around the backyard chasing them. Endless outdoor excitement that’s sure to wear kids big and small out.
Wheelbarrow Races
A classic that’s fun indoors for little ones and even more exciting when you take it to a bigger space outside. Great for teamwork, coordination, and plenty of laughs!
Bean Bag Balance Race
Balancing a bean bag on your head is trickier than it looks—especially for preschoolers! Turn it into a relay race, simplify for younger kids, or add a toss into a bucket.
A fun, versatile outdoor activity that promotes balance and motor skills.
Easy Summer Crafts for Toddlers
If you have little ones that like to create, here are some cute and simple toddler crafts with a summery theme.
Easy Paper Watermelon Craft for Preschool
This juicy summer craft is simple, sweet, and perfect for the long holidays. Plus, it’ll help little hands build fine motor skills, one hole at a time!
Visit Simply Full of Delight for more
Toilet Paper Roll Popsicles
We love toilet paper roll crafts in this house and here’s a cute summer-inspired one toddlers are sure to enjoy.
Make this no-melt popsicle – the kids can set up an ice-pop stand to sell them from. A craft that’ll provide hours of fun in the garden once made!
Jump over to Little Ladoo for instructions
Ice Cream Cone Craft
Create a cool and fluffy ice cream cone using cotton balls and cardboard. What cute mess-free summer fun with little crafters!
Visit Rock Your Homeschool for more
Handprint Paper Plate Sun Craft For Kids
Summer arts and crafts for kids don’t get sunnier than this! This cheerful handprint sun will be fun to make and is perfect for adding a little brightness to your day.
Visit Family Focus Blog for more
Torn Paper Watermelon Craft
Looking for a fun way to develop your kid’s fine motor skills? Try this torn paper watermelon craft.
Little ones will love ripping paper, and at the same time they’ll be strengthening this hand and finger muscles.
Head over to This Tiny Blue House for details
Lemon Stamping Project
Stamp your way to citrusy cuteness with this fun summer craft for toddlers.
Jump over to Rock Your Homeschool for instructions
Summer Paper Plate Wreath (FREE Template)
Brighten up your door with a cheerful paper plate wreath decorated with the best of summer – popsicles, sunglasses, flip-flops, and more. It’s a fun and easy thanks to the free template.
Jump over to Two Pink Peonies to download
Easy Handprint Ice Cream Craft
This fun handprint ice cream craft turns your toddler’s handprint into a cute summer treat. It’s easy to make and perfect for little hands!
Visit The Mindful Toddler for instructions
Cute Paper Plate Flower Craft
Brighten a summer afternoon with this cute paper plate flower craft made with layers of cupcake liners. It’s easy, colorful, and just right for a bit of sunny-day crafting with the kids.
Head over to XoxoBella for details
Suncatcher Craft
Recycle old CDs into sparkling suncatchers with gems and jewels. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to sparkle in the sunshine all year round.
Color By Number
A fun little summer activity that blends color and counting—plus, who doesn’t love an ice cream-themed surprise?
Click here to download PDF Color By Number Ice Cream
Pressed Flower Greeting Cards
A sweet and simple way to turn summer blooms into handmade cards. Perfect for kids who love nature.
Paper Plate Fish Craft
From paper plate to playful fish, this simple summer craft will appeal to all ages.
Visit The Soccer Mom Blog for more
Summer Handprint Art (10 Free Templates)
Capture those tiny hands with these adorable handprint templates—a fun keepsake and a favorite summer activity for toddlers.
Head over to Homeschool of 1 for details
We have plenty more handprint templates and art ideas here:
- 31 Cute Handprint Birthday Card Ideas
- 35 Best (And Cutest) Valentines Handprint Art Ideas
- Cute Valentine’s Day Handprint Craft
- 39 Easy Mothers Day Handprint Crafts, Cards & Gift Ideas
- 35+ Adorable Handprint Father’s Day Gifts & Ideas
Summer Preschool Activities
Keep little minds learning with these fun summer preschool activities for little ones, including free printables that mix fun with a splash of learning.
Make Tinfoil Egg Box Boats
Following a simple sink-or-float experiment try a full-on boat-building challenge! Wrap the bottom of an egg carton in foil, add a paper sail on a wooden skewer, and see how well it floats.
Test how many stones it can hold before sinking—or race them by blowing across the water. A fun mix of creativity, science, and water play for preschoolers!
Lemonade Ice Cube Counting
Count and cool off at the same time with this hands-on activity. Frozen lemon “ice cubes” make math a little more refreshing.
Lemonade ice cube counting from teachingthewholechild
Beginning Sound Nature Hunt
Whether you’re teaching at home or in a preschool setting, this outdoor activity is perfect for reinforcing letter sounds.
Choose a letter and head outside to hunt for items that start with that sound—like “b” for bark, bug, or bush.
A fun, hands-on way to build early literacy skills in the summer months.
Rainbow Colour Matching
Match colors in the most cheerful way with this hands-on rainbow activity. It’s bright, simple & perfect for little learners.
Rainbow colour matching from exploring.with.r
Sunbeam Number Matching
Help little rays of sunshine find their matching numbers in this cheerful game. It’s bright, fun and full of smiles.
Sunbeam number matching from planningplaytime
Ice Cream Number Activity
Scoop up some math fun with this adorable counting game. Kids match numbers to ice cream scoops and cones for a sweet learning treat!
Ice cream number activity from mrsmamabird
Summer-Themed Free Printables
Summer Do-A-Dot Marker Free Printables
Dot away with these colorful and fun worksheets. This is a great summer activity for toddlers to help develop fine motor skills.
Jump over to Natasha LH for instructions
Free Printable Summer Activity Placemat
Keep kids entertained with this free printable summer activity placemat! Packed with games and puzzles, it’s a fun and easy way to add some summer excitement to mealtime or road trips.
Jump over to Learn Grow Aspire for details
Free Printable Trace & Color Ice Pops
This easy summer activity is all about tracing, coloring, and enjoying the cool vibes of a popsicle on paper.
Click here to download PDF Trace & Color Ice Pops
Free Printable Preschool Summer Worksheets
Keep your little ones busy with fun, summer preschool activities. These colorful worksheets build early literacy, counting and fine motor skills.
Head over to Learn Grow Aspire for details
Popsicle Name Craft
Cool off with this sweet and simple popsicle name craft. This activity is perfect for practicing letters and adding a fun twist to your summer preschool crafts!
Head over to This Tiny Blue House for details
Bug Catching Activity Sheet
Turn your next nature walk into an educational adventure with this free printable bug-catching sheet.
Head over to Life and Homeschool for details
Summer Count & Write Worksheets
A simple summer activity that sneaks in some number fun—great for quiet moments or keeping little minds busy on hot days.
Click here to download PDF Summer Count & Write Worksheets
Creative Summer Activities & Process Art for Kids
Take that creative energy and paint outside – there are a few messy summer activities here!
Homemade Chalk Bombs
These homemade chalk bombs are a blast—literally! A fun & colorful way to liven up any summer afternoon on the driveway.
Head over to A Little Pinch of Perfect for details
Seashell Watercolor Painting
Collect seashells and turn them into watercolor treasures. It’s a relaxing, creative beachside summer activity kids will enjoy.
Jump over to The Crafty Christian Mom for more
Color Changing Flowers Science Experiment
Add a splash of science to your summer! Watch flowers soak up color like magic in this fun experiment that’s sure to spark kids’ curiosity.
Jump over to Fox Farm Home for more
Life-Size Self-Portrait
The trickiest part? Finding a big enough piece of cardboard—TV boxes work great!
Have your preschooler lie down while you trace their outline, then let them paint their life-size self-portrait. It’s a creative outdoor activity that offers a fun glimpse into how they see themselves while building both fine and gross motor skills.
Paint The Toys
Turn old toys into canvases! Let your little ones paint a plastic toy—my daughter turned her horse into a pink unicorn, while my son gave his plane a bold red makeover.
Then comes the fun of washing them off! Simple, creative summer fun that’s messy in the best way.
Small Town Process Art
This outdoor activity combines process art with imaginative play—and it’s a definite toddler favorite!
Tape paper to a table or the ground, paint toy truck wheels, and drive them across the paper to make colorful tracks. Then, bring the scene to life: use foil as a river, strips of cereal boxes as bridges, and let your preschooler paint roads, fields, and car parks with brushes, sponges—or their hands, as my 3-year-old did!
Inspired entirely by my 4-year-old’s imagination, this is one of those creative summer activities that grows with your child’s ideas.
Build A Paper Mache Castle
If your preschooler loves building, painting, and a bit of mess, this one is a perfect fit. You’ll help with the setup, but once it’s underway, it’s hours of creative play—spread over two days!
Start by helping your child arrange and tape together various boxes and rolls into a castle shape on a large piece of cardboard. Mix flour and water into a paste, dip torn newspaper strips into it, and cover the entire structure.
After it dries (about 24 hours), it’s time to paint and bring their fortress to life.
A wonderfully messy, imaginative project perfect for summer days outdoors.
DIY Frozen Paint Sticks
This cool and colorful process art activity is perfect for hot summer days with preschoolers—and makes a great party idea too.
Mix 1/4 paint, 1/4 dish soap, and 1/2 water, pour into ice cube trays, add craft sticks, and freeze.
Once frozen, kids can paint outdoors with their icy tools—no spills, no mess, just sensory fun!
(Full tutorial at Taming Little Monsters)
Homemade sidewalk chalk paint
This simple 3-ingredient chalk paint (just cornstarch, water, and food coloring) was a hit with kids aged 3 to 11 for a full afternoon of creative fun.
Simply mix to a runny consistency and let kids paint patios, sidewalks, or paving stones. It’s taste-safe, so great for toddlers too—especially those who like to paint with their hands.
For bolder colors, use lots of food coloring or check out this tutorial from Simple Fun For Kids which uses chalk sticks mixed with water.
Or if you’re short of time you could buy this washable tempera.
Design A Giant Ball Run
This has been the ultimate favorite outdoor activity for my preschooler this summer —and we’ve built countless versions!
Use pipes, tubes, and whatever else you can find to create ramps and tracks, supported by chairs or stools. It’s a fantastic hands-on challenge for budding engineers and a fun, creative activity for kids well beyond the preschool years too.
Summer Sensory Play Ideas
Get ready for splashy, squishy, exploratory fun! Here are some sensory activities perfect for the summer, for curious little hands that love to explore through touch and messy fun.
Squeeze-Your-Own Lemonade Sensory Bin
This refreshing sensory bin idea from The Salty Mamas is perfect for warm days and toddler water play! Tint the water with yellow food coloring (or lemonade powder for a tastier option), then add a juicer and soft splash balls for squeezing fun.
Include real lemons or ice for extra sensory appeal, plus tools like tongs and straws for scooping, pouring, and pretend play.
Sparkly Butterfly Slime for Sensory Play
Glittery, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying—this butterfly slime is sensory magic in a bowl. Kids won’t want to put it down!
Jump over to Attachment Mummy for more
Popsicle Summer Sensory Bottle
Keep toddlers entertained with this simple sensory bottle filled with colorful mini resin popsicles. It’s a fun and easy summer activity that’ll spark curiosity and keep little hands busy.
Head over to The Mindful Toddler for instructions
Fun Busy Boats Sensory Bin with Water Beads
Let your little ones set sail with this fun water bead sensory bin—floating boats, squishy beads, and lots of hands-on play. It pairs perfectly with the book “Busy Boats” and makes a great summer activity for toddlers.
Visit Attachment Mummy for instructions
Easy Lemonade Rice Sensory Bin for Toddlers
More lemony fun, this time a dry rice sensory bin. A fun summer activity for toddlers who love to explore and play with different textures. Perfect for keeping little hands busy and minds active during the sunny season!
Head over to The Mindful Toddler for details
Easy Nature Ice Sensory Play for Toddlers
Freeze tiny flowers inside ice cubes for a fresh and easy nature sensory activity. It’s a simple summer activity for curious toddlers to explore and cool down on warm days.
Jump over to The Mindful Toddler for more
Summer Sensory Bin for Toddlers
Keep those busy little hands happy with this summer-themed sensory bin. Just scoop, dig, and explore.
Visit The Mindful Toddler for more
Summer Sensory Path
Take learning outdoors with this summer sensory walking path—one of the best summer activities for little kids. They’ll love exploring different textures and temperatures. Try cool ice, squishy sponges, colorful water balloons and more.
Jump over to Play Learn Inspire for more
Frozen Sand Sensory Bin
This icy sensory bin will be a hit on hot summer days! Fill a large tub with sand and small toys, add water, and freeze.
Once solid, let your preschooler chip away with spoons, dig out treasures, and explore the shifting textures as the sand thaws. Cool, tactile, and tons of fun!
Head over to Taming Little Monsters for instructions
Here are some more sensory play ideas themed for different seasons and occasions:
- 21 Fun & Easy Dinosaur Sensory Activities
- 15 Best Sensory Bin Tables for Toddlers {+Sensory Table Ideas}
- 50 Christmas Sensory Activities & Bins
- 25 easy FAKE SNOW sensory bins & sensory play activities
Feeling more prepared for summer?
These summer activities for toddlers and preschoolrers are perfect for keeping little hands busy and curious—whether they’re splashing in sensory play, exploring outdoors, or learning through fun games.
Embrace the messy, magical moments and make this summer one to remember!
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Looking for more easy activities? Try:
- 75 Sanity-Saving Mess Free Toddler Activities To Do At Home
- 27 Easy Wet & Dry Messy Play Ideas
- 65 Gross Motor Activities
- 50 Best activities for 18 month old toddlers at home
- 25 Simple Fall Learning Activities For Toddlers
- 47 Cute Easy Holiday Activities for Toddlers
- 25 Cute & Simple Easter Activities & Crafts For Babies 6+ Months
