Childcare Provider Tips: How to Plan Fun and Engaging Summer Activities for Your Daycare Children

May 18

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Summer is a season filled with warmth, adventure, and endless possibilities for children. As a childcare center, you have the wonderful opportunity to create a memorable and engaging summer experience for the children in your care.

By planning a well-rounded program that combines fun, learning, and exploration, you can ensure that every child has a summer to remember. In this blog, we will guide you through the process of planning an exciting and engaging summer for children in your daycare, preschool, or childcare center.

Before we get started, If you're new here, My name is Dena, and I have 21 years of experience as a daycare director. The child care industry is rewarding, but it is WORK! My goal is to help other providers with their child care programs and help relieve the stress that the daycare world brings.

Don't forget to snag my FREE Interview Guide to hire the right staff for your daycare or child care center! Reduce turnover with my 12-page Interview Guide with Questions and Job Position Descriptions designed for child care hiring!

Here are 6 ways to create a fun and engaging summer for your daycare kiddos!

1. Assess the Interests and Needs of Children.

Before diving into the planning process, take the time to understand the interests, needs, ages, and developmental stages of the children in your care. Observe their preferences, engage in conversations, and communicate with their parents to gain insights into what activities and experiences would be most enjoyable and beneficial for them.

2. Create a Summer Theme.

Selecting a summer theme can add an element of excitement and cohesiveness to your program. It provides a framework for planning activities and allows children to explore a specific topic in depth.

Consider themes like “Under the Sea,” "Nature Explorers," "Space Adventure," or "Superheroes.” Incorporate the theme into decorations, arts and crafts, and storytelling to create an immersive experience. You can choose to have a theme for the entire summer or have a different theme each week.

I love kicking off the summer with this Summer Bucket List Craft, where the kiddos write about all the friends they are going to see this summer, the places they want to visit, and the things they want to do.

3. Plan Engaging Activities.

a) Outdoor Adventures: Make the most of the warm weather by organizing outdoor activities. Plan field trips to parks, zoos, nature reserves, or local farms. Arrange water play days with sprinklers, water balloons, or kiddie pools. Set up treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or nature walks to encourage exploration and discovery.

b) Arts and Crafts: Engage children's creativity by incorporating arts and crafts activities. Set up themed craft stations where children can create personalized crafts related to the summer theme. Consider using recycled materials to promote environmental consciousness. Encourage children to showcase their creations during weekly art exhibitions or in a summer scrapbook.

c) Science Experiments: Foster curiosity and scientific thinking by organizing fun science experiments. Create a "Mad Scientist" corner where children can conduct safe and age-appropriate experiments. Explore topics like volcanoes, slime-making, or growing sunflowers from seeds. Encourage children to document their findings and share them with their peers.

d) Sports and Games: Promote physical activity and teamwork by organizing sports events and games. Plan mini Olympics or relay races where children can participate and cheer for their teams. Incorporate games that enhance motor skills, coordination, and balance, such as sack races, hula-hoop challenges, or an obstacle course.

e) Cooking and Nutrition: Teach children about healthy eating habits by involving them in simple cooking activities. Choose recipes that are nutritious, easy to prepare, and require minimal supervision. Allow children to explore flavors, measure ingredients, and create their own snacks or smoothies. Consider inviting a nutritionist to give a talk on the importance of balanced diets.

If you’re thinking all of this is going to cost a fortune, consider going to your local dollar store to grab some goodies or make a weekly sign-up sheet and ask for parent donations. Most parents are glad to help donate an item for a craft or activity when they know their child will have a blast!

Another idea is to charge a summer activity fee at the beginning of the summer along with the registration fee to help cover expenses. For example, if you charge a $50 activity fee per child and have 100 children, that’s an extra $5,000 to help with the costs of supplies and activities.

4. Schedule Special Events, Field Trips, and Performances.

Arrange special events and performances throughout the summer to create a sense of anticipation and excitement. Organize magic shows, show and tell, puppet shows, or storytelling sessions where children can actively participate. Invite local magicians, musicians, artists, or dancers to provide interactive workshops or performances.

Celebrate cultural diversity by hosting a multicultural festival where children and their families can share traditions, food, and music. Plan field trips away from the childcare center that are fun and interactive, such as your local children’s science museum.

5. Engage with Parents and Families.

Involve parents and families in your daycare summer program to enhance the overall experience. Organize parent-child activities like picnics, art workshops, or nature outings.

Create a summer newsletter or flyer to keep parents informed about upcoming events, activities, and achievements of their children. I have a Summer Activity Flyer you can download for free. It’s a Canva template. Simply click the link, make a copy & edit to suit your needs. Enjoy!

Create a daily schedule specifically for the summer so that the parents and the kids know what to expect daily. You can download my free Summer Daily Schedule Canva template here. Yes, it’s free! I just want to help :) When using my Canva templates, make a copy of the document. Please do not request to edit it. You will need a free Canva account.

6. Capture The Moments and Celebrate.

Capture the highlights of the summer program through photographs, videos, or scrapbooks. Create a dedicated display area where children's artwork, crafts, and photographs can be displayed before taking them home. Host an end-of-summer celebration where children can showcase their achievements and share their favorite memories. Provide certificates or awards to acknowledge their participation and growth.

Conclusion:

Planning an engaging and fun summer for children in your childcare center requires thoughtful consideration, creativity, and a focus on their interests and developmental needs.

By incorporating a variety of crafts, activities, outings, and special events, you can create a memorable summer experience that fosters learning, exploration, and joy.

Check out my Pinterest board for other fun summer activities.

Do you have any other ideas to add? Please share them in the comments below! And be sure to share this blog post with your fellow child care providers! Together we can make a difference!

Here are some other articles packed with valuable content you are sure to enjoy:

6 Must-Do’s To Effectively Communicate To Staff

How To Avoid Burnout in Childcare

How To Screen Families For Your Daycare

6 Tips To Ace Your Licensing Inspections

30 Daycare Policies You Need in Your Parent Handbook

Important Daycare Forms You Need For Your Childcare Business

How To Deal With Parents Who Consistently Pay Tuition Late!

The 12 Most Common Child Care Business Mistakes

One Surefire Way to Boost ECE Staff Retention