Summer is finally here, and whether your family is on school break or simply enjoying the longer days, finding fresh activities to keep your kids busy can sometimes feel impossible. Our various Kid Builders activities are for children ages 0–5, each thoughtfully designed to support development at every stage and across all key learning areas.
To help you get started, we’re sharing some of our favorite activities for kids in summer – beginning with ideas for infants and toddlers and building up to engaging options for children ages four and five.
For Baby (0-1): Hello Park, Goodbye Park
Help your baby learn to “start” and “end” an activity by using greetings like hello and goodbye. Start by saying “hello” at the beginning of play time. When you get to the park or start building with blocks, say,
“Hello park!”
“Hello blocks!”
Say hello to all the things in the park. Say hello to all the different color blocks. This gives your child time to get used to their new surroundings or activity.
“Hello swings, hello slide, hello grass!”
“Hello red block, hello blue block, hello green block!”
When play time is over, it is time to say goodbye. Saying goodbye to all the things in the park or to all the blocks helps your baby end this activity and move to the next one. Say,
“Goodbye swings, goodbye slide, goodbye grass!”
“Goodbye red block, goodbye blue block, goodbye green block!”
To see more developmental activities for babies, click here.
For 1-Year-Old: Fun With Water
This is a great summer activity for your one-year-old, plus clean-up is easy! Fill plastic containers, bowls, and cups with water for outside play. Give your child a few things that won’t break, like measuring cups or spoons. Show them how to pour water from one cup to another. Help them fill a bowl with water and then stir with a spoon. Show them what happens when you pour from up high or down low, or from a smaller cup to a bigger cup, and from the bigger cup back to the smaller cup.
Give your child pieces of paper and let them “paint” with water using their finger. Talk to them about the water.
You can say,
“Ooh! How does the water feel?”
“You are pouring the water from so high!”
“Do you see your wet picture on the paper?”
Don’t forget! Any time your child is around water, an adult should be within an arm’s reach to make sure they are safe. To see more activities for one-year-olds, click here.
For 2-Years-Old: Helmets On Please!
Now that the days are warmer, your toddler may be learning to ride tricycles and scooters and needs a helmet to protect their head while riding. They need one even when riding in a child’s seat on your bicycle. California law requires children under 18 years old to wear a helmet.
Your child will be more likely to wear the helmet if they help choose it. Pick a helmet that is your child’s favorite color, if available. You can help them decorate it with stickers to make it fun.
Set a good example by wearing your own helmet when you ride a bike. Say,
“I’m putting my helmet on so I can ride my bike. May I help you put your helmet on?”
When your child starts wearing a helmet every time they ride, it becomes a routine. To see more activities for two-year-olds, click here.
For 3 Years Old: Fun in the Sun
Teaching your child about sun safety is a great summer activity and an essential lifelong skill! Make a checklist with your child for getting ready to go outside.
Let your child help you by saying “Check!” for each item you have on the list. For example, say,
“The first thing is sunscreen. Did we put on sunscreen?”
Prompt your child to say, “Check!” if you put sunscreen on.
After a few times, your child will get the idea and say “Check” without help!
“Next is a hat. Do we have our hats?”
“Check!”
“We need something to drink. Did we bring water? NO! Uh-oh, let’s get water. Now we’re ready.”
To see more activities for three-year-olds, click here.
For 4-Years-Old and 5-Years-Old: Nature Explorer
Getting outside and exploring nature is always a fun summer activity for kids. When your child finds a living creature outside, like a bird, a bug, or a lizard, help them be a nature explorer! Ask them to watch the creature in its natural home. You might say,
“Look at that bug! Can you see how it moves? It is hopping from place to place!”
“Can you count how many legs this lizard has? It moves very fast. Where do you think it lives?”
If they do not find a creature on the ground, help them look up at trees or rooftops. Ask your child to look or listen for birds. You might ask them,
“Can you see any birds? Are the birds flying?”
“Can you hear the birds? What sound are they making?”
Help your child start a nature book. Keep track of the creatures they see by writing or drawing the names of each one. Add things your child learns about each creature. You might use this time to talk to your child about being kind to all living things.
To see more activities for four and five-year-olds, click here.
As you explore these summertime activities, we hope they bring joy, curiosity, and connection to your days. With more hours of sunlight and free time together, there’s always an opportunity to learn, play, and make lasting memories. Here’s to a season filled with curiosity, discovery, and moments your family will treasure!