Are you in need of some summer ideas for preschool classroom? I’ve got you covered! A summer program can be hard! You have just come through 8 months of regular school and now heading into summer you feel like you are running on fumes! It’s time to switch things up!
But first lets change our mindset to see the beautiful things about working a summer program!
No standards to cover
So many outdoor activity options!
Theme days
Smaller groups of children!
Ok, its a short list but there are some definite perks!
Even though there aren’t specific standards that you have to cover, there are still many possibilities for learning to take place.
Here are some summer ideas for preschool classroom fun that you maybe haven’t thought of doing!
Theme Days
Theme days are such a fun way for students to engage in their learning in a different way. Yes, they are a little more work on the prep side, but SO WORTH IT! We have done Beach Day, Ice Cream Day, and even Lemonade day!
With each of these themes you could do some sort of a room transformation! This is the beach backdrop that I used for our latest beach day! The students all brought their beach towel and favorite beach toy from home! A beach theme is a perfect day to go outside and play water games too! These reusable water balloons are brilliant!
So many of my childhood summer memories include a lemonade stand! A lemonade theme is one of the PERFECT summer ideas for preschool classroom! It is a great way to give students the chance to taste test and vote regular or pink lemonade. Play in a lemonade-themed water table and set up a pretend (or even real!) lemonade stand! I recently made this delicious lemonade sensory bin and scented the rice with lemon essential oils…I’m drooling over it! So pretty and smells so yummy! There are so many opportunities for fun and learning!
Weekly Artist and Art Show
Art is something that can get pushed aside during the regular school year just because there are so many other classes that seem to take precedence. Summer is the perfect time to let your students explore artists and different types of art! Not sure where to start? Here’s a short list to get you started!
Eric Carle- Collages
Piet Mondrian- shapes, primary colors
Georges Seurat- pointillism
Michaelangelo- clay sculptures
Andy Warhol- pop art
Yayoi Kusama- dots/ Circles
Henry Matisse- shapes
When starting an artist study with younger students begin with the very simple, What is an artist? What do they do? What kinds of materials do they use? Then look at examples of art pieces, pictures of the artists, read books about them, give the students several opportunities to explore the specific artists works, etc. I would provide opportunities for the students to practice using the different mediums and making observations about them as well.
Here is a list of books that would be great for starting an artist study!
The artist who painted the blue horse- Eric Carle
Henri’s Scissors-Jeanette Winter
Luna loves Art-Joseph Coelho
I am an Artist- Marta Altes
I ain’t gonna paint no more-Karen Beaumont
Beautiful Oops- Barney Saltzburg
After students have had several weeks of studying different artists and creating their own masterpieces based on each artist’s style, set up an art show for parents to come and see what their child has been creating!
Science Activities
More summer ideas for preschool classroom fun is getting your student’s hands-on science activities! Kids LOVE science experiments! Whether it’s baking soda and vinegar or making ice cream in a bag, your students are going to love it! And the beautiful thing about science is that there is so much hands-on learning happening and learning by discovery that it doesn’t feel like school at all!
Here are some super fun ideas for you to try with your kiddos this summer!
Baking soda and vinegar volcanoes- add liquid watercolors and dish soap for more fun!
Painting with sunscreen- talk about the need for sunscreen to protect your skin.
Make a smores solar oven!
Will it melt? Predictions and observations
Sink or Float? Predictions and observations
Maybe you’ve already thought of these activities and maybe you already do them! I’d love to know some of your favorite summer activities to do with your students! There are so many fun things you can do! Think outside the box and make this the most magical summer for your students and for you! Before you know it, you will be looking for activities for back to school time! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered there too!
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