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It’s spring! The weather is warming, flowers are blooming, and…school is about to be out for the summer. *Cue panic mode* for every parent of toddlers, preschoolers, or young children. Many parents plan alternate childcare, camps, and vacations, but summer is LONG. There will no doubt be some time hanging out at home. With a little planning, you can make this summer the most fun, educational and stress-free summer your family has ever had. Check out these 55 days summer activities for toddlers!
What are the best summer activities for toddlers?
When creating our ultimate list of summer activities for toddlers, we narrowed it down to 11 themes that will appeal to toddlers of all ages. We scoured the web for summer activities that are low maintenance (don't need much prep/supplies), good for toddlers of all ages, can be done at home, and will keep them occupied for more than 3 seconds. My mom friends and I have either done these activities or are planning to do them this summer with our toddlers! Rest assured, this list is mom-approved.
Each week you can focus on 1 theme and follow the same weekly schedule to keep it easy for you and maximize their ability to focus on one topic at a time.
Themes: Space, Dinosaurs, Father’s Day, 4th of July, Bugs, Fruit, Gardening, Boats, Science, Weather, Family, Exercise & Body
Weekly Schedule:
Make it Monday
Time to Read Tuesday
Water Play Wednesday
Sensory Bin Thursday
Food Friday
Note: These summer activities are geared towards toddlers, preschoolers, and young children ages 1.5 years old and up. They are easy to modify based on your child’s age and development. Beware of choking hazards if your child is prone to putting things in their mouth! All activities are intended to be monitored by an adult.
Themes & Activities
Week 1 Theme: Space
Make it Monday: Puffy Paint Rocket Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: Space Books for Little Learners
Water Play Wednesday: 3 Ingredient Galaxy Calm Down Bottle
Sensory Bin Thursday: Space Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Space Party Food
Week 2 Theme: Dinosaur
Make it Monday: Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: The Best Dinosaur Books for Toddlers
Water Play Wednesday: Dinosaur Bath Water Sensory Activity
Sensory Bin Thursday: Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Dinosaur Themed Foods for Kids
Week 3 Theme: Father’s Day
Make it Monday: “Thank you, Dad” Father’s Day Story
Time to Read Tuesday: Best Books for Toddlers about Dad!
Water Play Wednesday: Water Balloon Fight (with Dad)
Sensory Bin Thursday: Simple Shaving Cream Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Make Dad’s favorite food!
Week 4 Theme: Bugs
Make it Monday: Paper Loop Bugs Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: The Best Insect Books For Preschoolers
Water Play Wednesday: Bugs Preschool Sensory Bin
Sensory Bin Thursday: Sensory Play With Water Bead Bug Sensory Bin
Food Friday: The Cutest Bug Theme Healthy Snacks for Kids
Week 4 Theme: Fruit
Make it Monday: Watermelon Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: Apple Books for Little Learns
Water Play Wednesday: Orange Sensory Water Play
Sensory Bin Thursday: Fruit and Vegetable Hunt Farm Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Ice Cream Cone Fruit Cup
Week 5 Theme: 4th of July
Make it Monday: Easy 4th of July Firework Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: Patriotic Board Books
Water Play Wednesday: 4th of July Fun with Water Beads
Sensory Bin Thursday: 4th of July Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Red White and Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles
Week 6 Theme: Boats
Make it Monday: Pool Noodle Boats
Time to Read Tuesday: Row Your Boat Books and Videos
Water Play Wednesday: Ice Boat Racing for Toddlers
Sensory Bin Thursday: Messy Boats
Food Friday: Banana Boat: The Perfect After School Snack
Week 7 Theme: Science
Make it Monday: Easy Rainbow Bubble Foam Recipe
Time to Read Tuesday: Science Books for Kindergarten
Water Play Wednesday: Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment for Kids
Sensory Bin Thursday: Try a Sink or Float Water Sensory Bin This Summer
Food Friday: Pretzel and Marshmallow Structures
Week 8 Theme: Gardening
Make it Monday: Easy Egg Carton Seed Starters
Time to Read Tuesday: Educational and Fun Gardening Books for Kids
Water Play Wednesday: Water your garden, plants & yard!
Sensory Bin Thursday: Garden Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Easy Chocolate Dirt Pie Cups (With Variations!)
Week 9 Theme: Weather
Make it Monday: Clouds and Rain Weather Windsock Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: More Than 20 Wonderful Weather Books for Toddlers
Water Play Wednesday: Shaving Cream Rain Clouds
Sensory Bin Thursday: Seasons and Weather Sensory Bottles
Food Friday: Weather Themed Snack Ideas
Week 10: Exercise & Body Parts
Make it Monday: Body Tracing Self Portraits for Kids
Time to Read Tuesday: 12 Movement Books for Little Readers
Water Play Wednesday: Run around in the sprinklers
Sensory Bin Thursday: Mr. Potato Head Pretend Play Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Teach kids about nutrition with this food guide
Week 11: Family
Make it Monday: Paper House My Family Craft
Time to Read Tuesday: 25 Best Picture Books About Families of All Shapes & Sizes
Water Play Wednesday: Go to the pool as a family! Or set up a kiddie pool in your backyard.
Sensory Bin Thursday: "My Family" Sensory Bin
Food Friday: Summer at Home: Family Pizza Night!
Have Fun!
Hope you enjoyed our list of FUN summer activities for toddlers. Our intent is not to plan every minute out, but it does help to have some direction and tie everything together with themes. Overall, be flexible, creative and have fun!
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