Summer Activities to Keep Toddlers + Preschoolers Busy!

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I can’t believe I’m saying this… but Summer will be here before we know it. I know we just had snow, like, last week; but we are weeks away from Summer weather! Crazy, right?!

Well call it nesting, or call it just plain ol’ OCD, but I’ve been planning our Summer activities to keep my two older kiddos as busy as possible so they can still enjoy the Summer, despite having a newborn at home.

1. Learn through play with Snapology.

We had the honor of attending a birthday party put on by Snapology of Kent recently and, to my surprise, BOTH of my children loved it — not just my 5 year old!

Snapology is a STEM learning program that uses things like LEGOs and K’Nex to engage children in learning through play. Remy, at age two, was even included with the Duplos that were available! It was awesome to see them both so engaged with play.

So we’re adding playdates with Snapology (and perhaps a Summer camp for Ari?) to our Summer rotation, for sure!

2. Tot Time in the Park.

We live in a city that has an incredible Parks and Rec department. Throughout the parks they offer 6 different ‘tot time’ learn and play times — either a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday rotation! It’s awesome that our kids get to interact with other kids, but also do crafts, exercise, do singalongs, and listen to storytelling.

So it’s a no-brainer to spend a couple of hours a week letting the kids get their play-on while I sit back and just watch!

3. Storytime at the Library.

We tend to skip storytime during the school months, due to a very busy preschool schedule; but in the Summer, storytime is back on our weekly rotation!

Our local library has a newly renovated children’s library and they offer storytimes for all different ages. My 5 year old always loves going to the library to be around kids his age and he just tends to listen to the librarian read far better than he will sit and listen to me!

4. Crafts in the backyard. 

I have some really easy, toddler + preschool-friendly, crafts lined up for those blistering hot days this Summer.

First, I can’t wait to do sensory play with freezing different objects in ice and letting the kids ‘dig’ it out. We recently did this at an event and it was a huge hit for both the 2 year old and the 5 year old!

Second, ALL OF THE BIRD SEED CRAFTS. I’ve learned over the last year that my kids freaking adore watching the birds outside the windows of our home (helloooo, park in the backyard!); so I’m planning as many bird seed crafts as possible to keep their interest peaked and to keep the birds coming back!

Third, painting rocks for Northeast Ohio Rocks. We did this once last Summer with a bunch of kids from the YMCA and they were all so excited to hide their rocks for others to find! And heck, there are rocks all over the place so why not make use of some ‘artistic’ time with just letting them go at it?! Right?

5. Easy picnics in the park.

I’m all about easy this Summer! Oh, and quiet in my house! So I’ll kick Chad and the kids out during lunchtime to eat in the park behind the house with ‘easy’ picnic foods. Think: cheese & crackers, juice boxes, yogurt, fruit snacks, etc.

As long as I have those on hand, I can send everyone packing (to the backyard/park) and they can eat in peace and I can tend to a newborn in peace(ish)!

Plus, kids just really like the idea of picnics (aka, eating somewhere they generally aren’t allowed). Am I right!?

With all of these activities lined up for the Summer months, I’m certain that rain or shine, newborn and all, my preschooler and toddler will have an absolute blast for the next several months!

What fun activities would you add to this list!?