Beach Play

Set up a pretend beach for the children to play in. Ideas for props: beach blankets, lawn chairs, towels, buckets, sunglasses, beach balls, sand toys, hats, snorkel & mask, magazines, books, an umbrella, shells, etc.

Foot Painting

Help each child take a turn food painting. They dip their feet in thick tempera paint and make prints by stepping on large pieces of paper, butcher or easel paper. Help them clean up with sponges and buckets of soapy water.

Kulfi (Indian Ice Cream)

1 quart (4 cups) milk
1/2 pint (1 cup) heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 Tbs vanilla
2 drops red food coloring

Combine milk and heavy cream in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat about 20 minutes, until thick. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into paper cups, half full. Freeze for 1 hour. It should have the same consistency as soft sherbet.

Bubble Solution

Make your own bubble solution by combining the following ingredients:
3/4 cup liquid soap
1/4 cup glycerin (you can find it at a drugstore)
2 quarts of water.

Place the solution in a shallow pan with bubble makers for the children to experiment with. Ideas for bubble makers: straws, funnels, plastic six pack holder, bent wire (check for no sharp edges), etc.

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

(Children’s Songbook, 245)
1. Oh, what do you do in the summertime
when all the world is green?
Do you fish i a stream,
or lazily dream
on the banks as the clouds go by?
Is that what you do?
So do I.

2. Oh, what do you do in the summertime
when all the world is green?
Do you swim in a pool,
to keep yourself cool,
or swing in a tree up high?
Is that what you do?
So do I.

3.Oh, what do you do in the summertime
when all the world is green?
Do you march in parades,
or drink lemonades,
or count all the stars in the sky?
Is that what you do?
So do I.

Listen or download the song here: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=245&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=245&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Click on the image to view and/or print.

Sand Shapes and Numbers

Using sand indoors or out, draw shapes and numbers in the sand and have children identify them. They can also try drawing the numerals, using your drawing as a guide.

Going On A Picnic

Go to a local park for a picnic. You can have the children help make the lunches to bring along. Play on the play equipment, if available, and/or bring balls, bubble, kites, bikes, scooters, helmets, etc.

Making Floats

Read a book or talk about summer holidays, parades and examples of some floats that are in them. Have children decorate trikes, scooters and wagons with crepe paper, streamers and balloons for Independence Day or any other summer holiday. Have them parade their floats around the school or neighborhood to celebrate.

Summer Sensory Ideas

Place any of the following in the sensory table: sand with toys or shells, colored sand and funnels, water with toy boats, small rocks and pebble, etc.

Summer Journal Pages

Read a book about summer then hand out a journal sheet with this question on it: "What do you like to do in the summer?" or “What are some things you want to do this summer?” Record the children's responses and let them draw a picture to go along with their response.

Click on either of the images above to view and/or print.

Juice Popsicles

Ingredients and Supplies needed:
pineapples juice
grape juice
cranapple juice
popsicle sticks,
small paper cups
Mix any combination of the juices, or just use the flavors individually. Fill paper cups 3/4 full of juice. Place in the freezer. Insert popsicle sticks when the juice begins to freeze a little. When the popsicles are frozen, peel away the cups and enjoy.

Sidewalk Chalk

Place sidewalk chalk outside in containers. Let the children use their imagination to draw things on the sidewalks and other approved surfaces (fences, etc.).

Balloon Racket Ball

Provide rackets or hangers (bent like a diamond with a handle and taped with nylons over the diamond shape), balloons for the children to play balloon racket ball. The purpose is to try to keep the balloon from hitting the ground. Talk about standing away from other people so they don't accidentally hit somebody else with the racket.

Pretend Picnic

Set up a pretend picnic for the children to play with in the dramatic play area. Ideas for props: blanket, basket, pretend food, small cooler, paper plates and cups, napkins, plastic silverware, etc. Talk about how summer is a great time to go on a picnic because of the warm, sunny weather.

Summer Lesson Plan

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