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August Activities for Kids {FREE SUMMER ACTIVITY CALENDAR}

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

As summer comes to an end, there’s still lots of time to have fun and learn this summer. Check out our August Activities for Kids. It includes our Free Summer Activity Calendar! These are some of our favorite ideas for August activities to do with your child.

Here are our top picks for August Themes and Activities for Kids…

August Activities for Kids

You can use the table of content for easy reference to these fun summer activities for kids that we’ve divided into different August Themes for Kids.

DOWNLOAD AUGUST CALENDAR

August Activities for Kids

August can be such a fun time to do things with kids as you wrap up the last full month of summer, We’ve included several fun themes that just shout summer fun together with your child.

Here is your chance to be sure you’ve checked everything off your Summer Bucket List.

Want more summer themes? Try these July Activities for Kids!

Take a moment this August to truly celebrate summer and all the special things you get to do as a kid.

You can head outdoors to enjoy these summer ideas:

Go on a nature hike
Have a picnic in the park or at the beach.
Visit a local zoo, aquarium, or museum.
Go swimming, boating, or fishing.
Have a barbecue or cookout.
Play outdoor games, such as tag, hide-and-seek, or frisbee.
Go camping or stargazing.

You can also just spend time indoors together when you:

Make a homemade ice cream sundae bar.
Have a movie marathon.
Have a talent show or karaoke contest.
Read a book together.
Play board games or card games.
Do arts and crafts projects.
Have a dance party.

This month’s themes are End of Summer, Ice Cream, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, India, Outdoor Activities, First Day of School and more.

End of Summer Activities

Here are our favorite summer activities for kids, including a few keepsake ideas for their summer adventures.

Ice Cream Activities

One of my favorite things to do during the end of summer is to make ice cream with the kids. Here are a few fun ice cream activities, books and recipes to explore together.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities

One fun little theme is the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to explore with your child. It’s a fun way to practice their letters and even kick off a school year as you celebrate coconut trees and more. Be sure to learn the song too!

Disclosure: This book contains Amazon Affiliate links.

We’re kicking off this year’s Virtual Book Club for Kids with Alphabet Week! Our featured book this week is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

BUY NOW: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Finding book activities is one of my favorite things to do with young children. This book is so inviting and colorful and draws in a child’s focus every time you read it. Bonus is they are learning the letters of the alphabet while they read it.

Our book activity to go with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom adds some fun with movement and letter recognition and gets your child outdoors.

Plus a printable coconut alphabet for extra playable fun indoors too.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Game with Sidewalk Chalk

Materials

Directions

Print the coconut letters and cut out each letters for game. Place letters into a plastic container to store and be able to sort through.

Before you head outside, ask your child to sort through the letters and place them into alphabetical order with you as you identify the letter sounds and letters one by one.

Now it’s time to head outdoors to make your very own coconut tree with sidewalk chalk. You’re going to want to make it a large coconut tree, the kids will be jumping onto it.

So grab your green for the palm frawns and brown or orange for the trunk of the palm tree. This is a super simple outline to draw.

Once your coconut tree is complete, it’s time to write the letters of the alphabet on the tree, just like in the story. You can have your child use the coconut letter cards for reference for how to write with the colorful chalk correctly.

As your child is writing the letters, talk about their letter sounds too.

Want more sidewalk chalk games? {CLICK HERE}

To play the game have your child draw letters from the plastic basket or if you really want to it play up use a pretend Coconut Shell Cup with Lid, like this on Amazon.

PRINT THE COCONUT ALPHABET HERE

Now that you have select a letter the challenge is to find it as quickly as you can on the coconut tree.

Continue to do this until your child races the clock to find all the letters on the coconut tree. When they find the letter have them jump onto it and shout out the letter name or make it more challenging and have them shout out the letter sound. Add extra fun with this adorable palm tree hat!

NEED MORE IDEAS?

For the second activity have your child jump from each letter Coconut to Coconut in alphabetical order. A fun movement activity as your child learns the order of the alphabet. When they land on the letter, have them shout out the letter sound or a word that starts with that letter.

The last idea is for beginning readers! Grab a small rock for tossing and have them toss the “coconut” rock onto a letter and have them shout what the name.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Printable Alphabet

Looking for more letter activities to go with the book? You might enjoy this post that features Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities.

What age is the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Book good For?

This book is perfect for children learning the letters of the alphabet and letter sounds. Preschoolers and Toddlers find this book quite funny. It’s also good for learning alphabetical order and handwriting, which means even Kindergarten and First Graders will find this book enjoyable.

You can even turn it into a STEM activity with all ages as you challenge them to balance letters on a tree. Or use these natural coconut shell cups to create a sorting activity.

What is the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Song?

There is an adorable Chicka Chicka Boom Boom song that you’ll want to listen to and sign along with with your child as you explore this adorable book.

I’m going to warn you it’s a bit catchy and you’ll be singing this one all day!

Want more Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities? Check out this week’s alphabet lesson plan at The Virtual Book Club for Kids.

Here are some additional alphabet themed activities you may also enjoy…

the Ultimate List of Books Activities for Kids!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

One of my favorite alphabet books is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The playful text and colorful illustrations introduce your child to the letters of the alphabet both upper case and lower case.

Here’s a collection of activities for hours of fun with the alphabet!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities

There are so many fun ideas to use this this story. In this article you will find some of my very favorite ways to have fun with this book. From alphabet crafts, coconut tree science to even some delicious snack ideas all inspired by the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

First start by printing these Coconut Alphabet Letters to get your learning station set up for hours of fun.

Head outside for this adorable Sidewalk Chalk Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Game!

Create an adorable sticky coconut tree for this book for allow your child to stick the letters all over the tree just like in the book. You can even use recycled play dough lids, like this alphabet tree, for a more colorful option.

Have some fun with math for your older kids with this multiplication coconut tree. For younger kids just change to number recognition or addition and subtraction.

This resources includes Chicka Chicka Boom Boom printable activities and centers to introduce or review basic concepts, alphabet and math skills in an early childhood classroom.

Chicka Chick Boom Boom Alphabet Sensory Bins

Play dough can be used to set up a sensory experience with just a few items like these featured with letter beads, felt leaves and a few pieces of wood.

We love how these wooden balls are use for setting up a Storytime playdough for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Take a peek at this playdough sensory play with buttons for the coconuts.

Take advantage of your magnetic letters by creating a can coconut tree, they your child can spend hours and hours attaching their letters Chick Chicka Boom Boom Magnetic Tree.

Use your magnetic door or side of the refrigerator for a larger than life Alphabet Coconut Tree.

Get the printable Coconut Tree with Letters or use this one.

Make this Sensory Activity with Kinetic Sand and this printable We recommend using these magnetic foam letters, plastic letters or wooden letter.

Make a interactive coconut tree with this glass gem coconuts.

Make very own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom DIY sensory bottle. This sensory bottle is super simple and so much fun to make. Perfect for your little Chicka Chicka Boom Boom fan!

Add a little water play to this story by creating an alphabet soup letter bin with your foam or magnetic letters and water.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Snack Ideas

Make this adorable fruit snack inspired by the story with apple palm frawn, banana stem and mandarin oranges for the sandy grown. Plus add the letter crafts to tie in the story.

You might even want to consider making coconut bread. Here’s the recipe.

Create a delicious snack with letters by baking alphabet cheese crackers or even alphabet graham crackers.

Love the letter cereals that are available. You can use them to make this Coconut Tree Snack with apples and a pretzel rod.

Look at how cute adding letters to any plate makes for the perfect snack, even at a playdate or birthday party.

Here’s an easy recipe to make with kids for Alphabet Cookies!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Craft Projects

Create this simple activity with alphabet stamps and by drawing a coconut tree or finding a printable one online. You can make it a matching game too with alphabet cards.

With foam letters stickers you can create so many fun projects for this book. One easy one is a Toilet Paper Role Coconut Tree.

Pull out the paint for a handprint Coconut Tree or a hand painted version. Then you can pull out your alphabet stamps to create your very own Painted Alphabet Tree.

With a few green muffin tin liners and foam letters you can create this adorable Letter Coconut Tree Craft.

Make your own name with this adorable Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Name Craft using foam letters. (I told you they can be used for so many things with this story.)

Grab your empty paper towel role and your leftover dot stickers for this alphabet coconut tree in spired by this story. Or you can grab some paint to create this colorful alphabet tree the foam bowl is a brilliant way to capture the letters.

Learn the letters of your name by making a coconut name recognition tree with clothespins.

A simple activities for

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0000

A fun stamping activity for learning letters with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Grab some paper and stamps and let’s get started with this fine motor activity for your child.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of my most favorite books to start the school year off with for children in early childhood classroom and in your home while working with toddlers and preschoolers.

It’s all about having fun with the english language and with the alphabet! It’s also the quickest way to see what letters your child knows and needs to learn.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and Joh Archambault

Chicka Chicka ABC (Chicka Chicka Book, A)

Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 (Chicka Chicka Book, A)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities

Here are several Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter activities for your child to explore the alphabet. Have fun with your coconut tree!

How to Make a Coconut Tree for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Story

Paper Towel Roll or rolled up brown construction paper makes the perfect tree. Then attach some green palm branches for the palm frawns. If you have alphabet stickers you can attach them to the tree as you tell the story.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree Letter Stamping

One a light colored sheet of paper have your child glue a brown stem for the trunk of the palm tree and create 3 to 5 green palm tree branches to glue on top of the trunk. Once the glue is draw encourage your child to stamp with ABC stamps.

I found mine for $1 at Michaels or the Dollar Spot at Target.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letters Manipulatives

We found a little bag of letters from Creatology at Michaels but any little letters or magnetic letters would be fun to retell the story with.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Snack Time

Using Graham Crackers and Alphabet Cereal or Alphabet Crafts by Cheese It you can create a snack Apples work perfect for the Palm tree Limbs. Use raisins for the coconuts!

You can also make this delicious Coconut Bread Recipe for Kids!

A fun way to explore Chicka chicka boom boom letter activities with your child.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Song

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom… and More Fun with Letters and Numbers (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

This is a fun little song created by Scholastic to play in the background while you’re crafting and snacking! It’s available at Amazon. Here’s the link Chicka Chicka Boom Boom DVD.

What is your favorite Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter activity? SHARE

Want more ideas for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? Try these…

The post Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities appeared first on The Educators' Spin On It.

August Activities for Kids {FREE SUMMER ACTIVITY CALENDAR}

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Here are our top picks for August Themes and Activities for Kids…

August Activities for Kids

You can use the table of content for easy reference to these fun summer activities for kids that we’ve divided into different August Themes for Kids.

DOWNLOAD AUGUST CALENDAR

August Activities for Kids

August can be such a fun time to do things with kids as you wrap up the last full month of summer, We’ve included several fun themes that just shout summer fun together with your child.

Here is your chance to be sure you’ve checked everything off your Summer Bucket List.

Want more summer themes? Try these July Activities for Kids!

Take a moment this August to truly celebrate summer and all the special things you get to do as a kid.

You can head outdoors to enjoy these summer ideas:

Go on a nature hike
Have a picnic in the park or at the beach.
Visit a local zoo, aquarium, or museum.
Go swimming, boating, or fishing.
Have a barbecue or cookout.
Play outdoor games, such as tag, hide-and-seek, or frisbee.
Go camping or stargazing.

You can also just spend time indoors together when you:

Make a homemade ice cream sundae bar.
Have a movie marathon.
Have a talent show or karaoke contest.
Read a book together.
Play board games or card games.
Do arts and crafts projects.
Have a dance party.

This month’s themes are End of Summer, Ice Cream, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, India, Outdoor Activities, First Day of School and more.

End of Summer Activities

Here are our favorite summer activities for kids, including a few keepsake ideas for their summer adventures.

Ice Cream Activities

One of my favorite things to do during the end of summer is to make ice cream with the kids. Here are a few fun ice cream activities, books and recipes to explore together.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities

Coconut Bread Recipe for Kids from French Polynesia

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Create coconut bread as you explore French Polynesia with your kids in the kitchen. We’re traveling the world through activities and recipes and invite you to join the fun.

Welcome back to “Around The World in 12 Dishes”. We’ve arrived in French Polynesia on our journey around the world, (loosely) following in Phileas Fogg’s footsteps, exploring 12 different countries with our children, by cooking 12 dishes with them. One for each country visited.

Here’s where we’ve traveled so far on our Cooking Around the World.

Now we’re heading to the beautiful islands of French Polynesia!

Learning about French Polynesia with Kids

We decided to make Coconut Bread for our Dish. It’s a moist and sweet bread with very few ingredients. According to our research, coconut bread is popular at both breakfast and lunch in Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora.

French Polynesia consists of 121 islands and atolls (75 inhabited) in the South Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 3,521 square kilometers. The population of 278,786

The capital is Tahiti. Some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahē, Bora Bora, Hiva ‘Oa, Huahine, Mai’ao, Maupiti, Meheti’a, Mo’orea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Taha’a, Tetiaroa, Tupua’i and Tūpai.

Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin

The recipe we chose came from the cookbook Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin. We weren’t able to find the book but would love to get our hands on it one day to find more Tahitian recipes.

Tahitian Coconut Bread Recipe

Cook Time:

35 minutes but you need to let the bread rise 3 hours first so plan ahead!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon melted butter
1 and 1/2 cups of water
2/3 cup granulated sugar
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons yeast
2 cups coconut milk

For the Recipe, we followed Click here.
Here’s another version too!

My daughter was in charge of measuring all of the ingredients for this recipe. They were pretty simple and I was there to assist her if she needed help.

Here she is pouring the water, measuring the flour, and stirring the ingredients in both steps.

Then the fun part begins when it’s time to knead the bread. She had fun getting sticky and gooey and learned that flour does help the process. Although it might not be the most proper form of kneading, she really was starting to understand the process. Then we waited and watched how the dough changed because of the yeast in it.

We let it rise for 3 hours so we had some time for learning about the islands.

Next on our list to make is this moist and flavorful Coconut Cake topped with a sweet and creamy coconut buttercream frosting.

Learning How Foods Were Brought to the French Polynesian Islands

While our bread was rising we took some time to talk about where the French Polynesia Islands are located. We discovered how many islands there were. My daughter still remembers her cruise to the Western Caribbean from a few years ago so it was fun to talk with her about island hopping and all that there is to do and see on an island.

One of our day trips was focused on the foods of the islands, this was probably our favorite of all the islands we visited.

One thing that we talked about was how the food got to the island. Since all the islands of French Polynesia are of volcanic origin, what created isolated and sparse islands, far away from any continent? Where could the food come from?

We discovered there were so many plants but that most of the fruits and vegetables were imported and acclimated by people. There were two groups that sailed to the islands.

Polynesian immigrants -who may have come from Southeast Asia- brought on their canoes the typical fruits of their region that they needed to survive during their long trip across the Pacific Ocean: banana trees, coconut trees, breadfruit trees… Those plants are considered today by many people as indigenous.

European colonists then brought many species that they had gathered all around the world and acclimated them with success to the Polynesian climate. That is why we can find today in Polynesian gardens, orchards and mountains either European strawberries, African watermelons, Brazilian guava trees, or grapefruits from Borneo…

Source: The Tahiti Traveler

We learned about the names of the Fruits and Vegetables that can be found on the islands. It was fun to see how many are also found in Florida and in India… all very close growing to a similar relation to the equator.

We checked on our globe the latitude of each place we have our family.

Becky at Kid Citizen World inspired us with her post about food and Maps, go check it out. See how much you can learn with cooking!

Once our bread was done rising we gently popped it into the oven for just 35 minutes. When it came out of the oven my daughter was so excited that it really looked like bread that she made on her own. We all had a taste test and it was so yummy.

I can imagine it with even some delicious island fruit on top for breakfast or lunch or perhaps with this Jam.

We had so much fun making this bread together and learning about the islands of French Polynesia. We even checked out a few Tahitian videos online and read a few books about the Islands.

Plus we made a small bungalow craft and a little science lesson about coconuts while the dough was rising. Now it’s your turn to share with us!

How to join the fun!

Cook a dish from French Polynesia: The goal is to explore this country through FOOD and activities if you wish. Make a typical dish (sweet or savory) from the country with the kids, take photos and have fun!

Typical dishes: Poisson Cru, Poulet (Chicken) Fafa, Po’e, Pork Curry with Tarua (Taro), .

Make a craft: you can make a country-related craft with the kids [optional!]

Fun fact: Those things that look like mailboxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents are not for mail but for French bread delivery. Residents get a fresh loaf dropped off twice a day. But they must go to the post office to retrieve their mail!

Just in case you’re not quite ready for Summer to be over take one last peek at these beautiful islands of French Polynesia!

Want more ideas for cooking with kids? Try these kid-friendly recipes…

Sidewalk Chalk drawing of coconut tree with letters on it inspired by the book Chicka chicka Boom Boom

There’s one thing that hasn’t changed and that’s my passion for creating for you fun ideas to do with your kids. Sharing ways to ensure you’re able to give them just what they need to grow and become smart, happy, and loved kids.

I was looking through our 1500+ kids activities on our site from over the years and found that there are some things our website’s visitors like you are often drawn towards. I thought it might be fun to do a top 10 activities for our 13th birthday.

We’d love to know which post is your favorite from the site, so please leave us a comment to let us know.

Top 10 Fun Activities for Kids

Top 10 Activities from The Educators’ Spin On It since July 12, 2011….

Go ahead and click on each of the highlight links to check out these fun kids activities or take a look below and click on the images for more info.

One thing I noticed as I looked through remembering all our ideas from over the years is that you are drawn to similar topics again and again.

Parenting
STEM Ideas for Kids
Children’s Book Activities
School Holiday Activity Ideas
Easy Kids Crafts Ideas
Games for Kids to Play
Recipes for Kids to Make
Virtual Field Trips for Kids

And a lovely surprise topic….Kindness Activities

I thought it might be fun to share with your our top kids activities for creative ideas to do with your child at home.

This summer have fun exploring these ice cream books together for a tasty read! Take a moment to explore our top picks of summer books for kids.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ice Cream Books for Kids

There are so many delicious and colorful books about ice cream to enjoy with your child.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

Curious About Ice Cream (Smithsonian) by Bonnie Bader

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by H. A. Rey

The Little Ice Cream Truck by Margery Cuyler

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sís

Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop by Tamar Meir

The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger

Vanilla Bean: A Story About Trying New Things by Katie Turner

Ten Scoops on Top! by Sarah R. Joseph

I Like You More Than Ice Cream by Brick Puffington

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? by DK

Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh

The Sweetest Scoop: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Revolution by Lisa Robinson

Wemberly’s Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes

Paletero Man/¡Que Paletero tan Cool!: Bilingual English-Spanish by Lucky Diaz

What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

Melt Like Ice Cream by Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez & Tessa Newell

Ice Cream MATH Playdate Ideas

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Hey moms – Have a bunch of kids coming over for a playdate? Make it an Ice Cream MATH Playdate Little ones LOVE eating and talking about ICE CREAM. These fun and easy learning activities for kids to make and play use supplies you probably already have on hand in your art stash.

The only extra needed: ICE CREAM.

Affiliate links to products

Ice Cream Math Playdate Ideas

Sample E-mail Invitation for Ice Cream MATH Playdate

We’d love to have you over for a playdate all about ICE CREAM this {day of the week} at {time}! We will be reading books, playing games, crafting and eating ice cream. Please bring a healthy ice cream topping to share. I’ll provide the rest.

Materials Needed for Ice Cream MATH Playdate

Before the Ice Cream MATH Playdate

Check out math themed ice cream books from the library (or order them online).

Just one more “may” be more about life than math, but it does make for a great tie into to the number cone activity. Just one more than 1 is 2. Just one more than 2 is 3. In the highly kid-relatable story, Ruby wants just one more of everything: bedtime kisses, one more minute of playtime, one more scoop of ice cream… Read more about the book here.

The Sunday Scoop is a great book for getting kids thinking about different combinations of numbers that make 6 (Addition!) It may be a little advanced for some young learners, but I like to keep their brains challenged! Read more about the book here.

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop is a non-fiction story that brings some additional math concepts to the table such as measurements and dates in history. Although more science, I like to pull a few favorite pages from this book to share with kids during an ice cream math playdate to talk about numbers. Oftentimes, longer books like these are better read in small groups. I’ve found little ones get much wigglier with their friends are over! Read more about the book here.

Draw an ice cream hopscotch game on the driveway
Set out bowls, spoons, napkins, and an ice cream scoop.
Cut brown triangles for cones and colorful ice cream scoops. Cut and write numbers on 10 scoops for each child.

Click for directions how to make an end of the year ice cream sundae keepsake

When the Kids Arrive for the Ice Cream MATH Playdate

Read an Ice Cream Story

We like to read a story and sing a song about ice cream when all the kids arrive. This helps build vocabulary and gets children thinking about all the vocabulary; freezing, creamy, and calcium are rich words to weave into your play and learning.

Make an Ice Cream Number Cone

Then demonstrate how to make an Ice Cream Number Cone

Select a paper cone. Then have each child find scoops with the numbers 1-10.
Put the scoops in order on the table.
Then place them in order on top of the ice cream cone.
Glue in place.

PLAY Ice Cream Shop

Set out an ice cream set in your pretend kitchen area for children to play with when they are done crafting and playing games.

Fake money and a cash register may encourage kids to set up their very own ice cream shop (bringing a little more math and learning into your already fabulous ice cream math playdate!)

Play Ice Cream Hopscotch

Head to the driveway to play on your ice cream themed hopscotch.

Enjoy your Ice Cream Treat

You can even make your own ice cream.

Have a toddler? You may want to set up for this Ice Cream playdate with play dough!

Even MORE Ice Cream Play and Learning Activities from the Early Childhood Education Team:

Ice Cream Cone Patterns Printable from Life Over C’s
The Great Ice Cream Cone Race-Gross Motor Game from Capri + 3
Summer Math for a Preschool Ice Cream Theme by Fun-A-Day

You can also use our list of the best ice cream books for kids available here:

Looking for More Playdate Ideas?

100 FUN & EASY LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS is a great resource for playdate inspiration! You could pre-make some of the games and activities for kids to play when they got together OR gather some mom friends and have a game making MNO (Moms Night Out).

Make a bunch of games so that you can keep your little ones engaged and learning .

The huge variety of activities means you can choose from high-energy group games full of laughter and delight, or quiet activities that kids can complete on their own.

Here are some additional ideas to do with your child…

The post Ice Cream MATH Playdate Ideas appeared first on The Educators' Spin On It.

10 Fun Math Activities to Keep Your Preschooler Learning all Summer

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Help keep your preschooler’s math skills sharp this summer with this collection of easy to prepare, hands-on, play-based activities. Make learning part of your everyday summer plans.

10 Fun Math Activities to Keep Your Preschooler Learning All Summer

Affiliate Links are included in this article.

1. Head to your library and check out some math books. Including literature into your summer plans is a great way to expand your child’s mathematics vocabulary. Read more…

2. Build towers with blocks. Yes, when in doubt, bring out the blocks. Blocks are great for counting, sorting, and even adding. Use block towers to practice simple addition problems. Knock them down for some subtraction! Read more…

3. Count and Snack Snack time is a great time to sneak in math activities throughout your entire summer. Try this Goldfish snack game to practice counting and number recognition. Make a snack mix using different shape foods and have your kids sort them out. Scoop a bowlful of cereal and see if there are more than, less than, or equal to 100 pieces. Read more…

4. Bring out your measuring tools. You may have a ruler, a tape measure, a thermometer, a calculator, even a scale. Make a point to bring one of these mathematical tools out for summer exploration and learning. Teach your children how to use them. Young children may surprise you with what they can learn. Our 2 year old grabs the thermometer and asks us how hot it is outside. Read more…

5. Play Trains! If your kids are anything like mine, we play trains at least one morning every week. The kids love to build new track paths and argue over who gets the favorite train cars set up the train cars. Extend their play by encouraging color sorting, counting, addition, and patterning. Read more…

6. Bring out the puzzles. They are an amazing kids activity that will not only entertain but strengthen problem solving and spatial reasoning. We tend to bring out puzzles out right before dinner. Each child works on their own, and I can get dinner made. My oldest helps my youngest if he isn’t able to figure out exactly where his pieces go. Sometimes, they even bring out the floor puzzles and work together to complete them. Read more…

7. Bounce your way to stronger math skills. That’s right. Most of us have a few balls for outdoor play. Use them for sorting, counting, and ordering. Play catch to work on hand-eye coordination too. read more…

8. Play Preschool Board Games. Candy Land is great for learning colors and practicing taking turns. Hi Ho Cherry-O is a favorite preschool game for counting. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game is good for fine-motor and 1:1 correspondence.

9. Hand over your digital camera (or buy a simple one for them to use) and let them photograph a number. Take those pictures and put them together for a home-made book. Work on one number a week and by the end of the summer you will have an entire collection of home-made number books! Read more…

10. Subscribe to have learning activities delivered to your door. We wrote last week about Animal Trackers monthly subscription boxes. A favorite of my older child is also the new Tinker Boxes from Kiwi Crate, Kiwi is running a limited time Summer Discovery Series with hands-on kids projects delivered to your door with 2-3 projects and all the materials. Read more…

Top 10 Summer Fun and Learning from the #PlayfulECE team:

10 Sensory Fun Ideas for Preschoolers Learning 2 Walk
10 Book Inspired Cooking Activities for Preschoolers by Growing Book by Book
10 Preschool Summer Activities All About Coconuts by Fun-A-Day!
Top 10 Ocean and Beach Activities for Preschool! by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
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Shark Virtual Field Trips for Kids

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Dive into exciting shark virtual field trips that let kids explore the underwater world and watch these incredible creatures up close, sparking curiosity and respect for the ocean’s most fascinating predators.

Shark Videos for Kids

Shark Virtual Field Trips for Kids

A shark virtual field trip is an online adventure that lets kids explore the world of sharks without leaving home or school. Through live streams, videos, and interactive activities, children can watch sharks swimming in their natural habitats, learn how scientists study them, and discover fascinating facts about different species.

It’s fun because kids get to see these incredible animals up close, hear real experts share stories, and even ask questions about what they see. This Shark virtual field trip turn learning into an exciting underwater journey that inspires curiosity and respect for these amazing creatures.

Our Shark Virtual Field Trip expands all the fun of Discovery Shark Week but fun facts for kids to learn about sharks. Get started by downloading our shark virtual field trip log.

Want more locations? You can explore our 30+ Virtual Field Trips for Kids.

Psst… has your family watched Shark Whisperer on Netflix? Marine conservationist Ocean Ramsey fearlessly swims with sharks in this documentary about her mission to protect them. This shark virtual field trip is a great way to expand their shark interest and learning.

What can kids learn from learning about sharks?

Here’s what your can learn about while learning about sharks…

Different Shark Species: Kids can discover that there are over 500 types of sharks, from tiny dwarf lanternsharks to huge whale sharks.
Anatomy and Adaptations: They can learn about shark body parts, like their sharp teeth, powerful tails, and special senses that help them find food.
Habitats: Children explore where sharks live, from shallow coral reefs to the deep ocean.
Shark Behavior: They can find out how sharks hunt, migrate, and even care for their young.
The Food Chain: Learning about how sharks are top predators shows why they are important for healthy oceans.
Conservation: Kids can understand the threats sharks face, like overfishing and pollution, and why we need to protect them.
Myths vs. Facts: They learn to separate scary stories from the real science about sharks.
Respect for Nature: Studying sharks helps children appreciate the beauty and importance of all wildlife.

It’s important for kids to learn about sharks because these remarkable animals play a vital role in keeping our oceans healthy and balanced. By understanding sharks, children can see that they are not just scary creatures, but essential predators that help control fish populations and maintain the marine ecosystem. Learning about sharks also encourages respect for wildlife and teaches kids how human actions, like overfishing and pollution, can harm these species.

When children discover the truth about sharks, they are less likely to fear them and more likely to care about protecting them. This knowledge can inspire a lifelong appreciation for ocean conservation and a sense of responsibility for caring for our planet.

Youtube Kids Videos About Sharks

Shark Dive | What Sam Sees | National Geographic Kids
Swimming With a Small Shark | What Sam Sees | National Geographic Kids
Sharks for Kids | Learn Bright
Super Sharks! | SciShow Kids
Explore Underwater Animals At The Aquarium | Super Simple Play with Caitie!
All About Sharks for Children | FreeSchool
Learn about Shark Facts for Kids with Ryan! | Ryan’s World
Shark | All Things Animal TV
Great White Shark – Little Fox
Why Sharks Don’t Have Bones – SciShow

Family Friendly Videos About Sharks

Sharpen Your Shark Knowledge: Species of Sharks | SeaWorld Orlando
Ocean Ramsey and a Whale Shark | GoPro
Ocean Ramsey and a Great White Shark | GoPro
How One Diver Became the “Mother of Sharks”
The Math of Shark Skin – Emory University
Sharks of Osprey Reef – Great Barrier Reef

National Geographic Videos About Sharks

Sharks 101 | National Geographic
Shark Queens: Rulers of the Ocean
5 Big Sharks That Rule the Sea
A Blacktip Feeding Frenzy
Great White Sharks of Guadalupe Island
Hammerheads: Shark Side of the Moon | National Geographic
How Baby Sharks Survive in a Dangerous World | National Geographic

BBC Earth Videos About Sharks

Sharks Playlist – BBC Earth
Why are Thousands of Sharks Gathering Here? | Blue Planet | BBC Earth
Reef Shark Feeding Frenzy | South Pacific | BBC Earth
Hundreds of Sharks Attack Tropical Fish | BBC
Sardine Feeding Frenzy with Sharks, Penguins and More | BBC Earth
Whale Shark | Planet Earth
Petting Sharks like Dogs?! | Blue Planet
The Woman who Swims with Sharks – BBC

The Dodo Videos with Sharks

Wild Shark Recognizes Human Best Friend After They Were Separated For A Year | The Dodo
Dog Swims With Her Shark BFF Every Day | The Dodo
Diver Befriends A “Relentless” Nurse Shark | The Dodo
Watch This Guy Save A Tiny Baby Shark | The Dodo

Baby Sharks and Sharks Eggs

The Strange World of Shark Eggs
Shark Eggs | New England Aquarium
Hatching Shark Eggs | San Antonio Aquarium

Shark Full Episode Video Shows for Kids

Wild Kratts – Stuck on Sharks | PBS KIDS
Sharks’ Teeth! | Blippi Wonders
Wild Kratts Sharks: Predator and Prey | PBS KIDS
Sharks! | Weird But True! | National Geographic Kids
Sharks | Apex Predators of the Oceans | Wild Kratts
Blippi Visits an Aquarium | Blippi
Our Planet | Coastal Seas | Netflix

Sharks at Aquariums

SHARKS! Predators of the Deep | Georgia Aquarium | Zoo Tours
Dine with Sharks – Shark Encounter | SeaWorld Orlando | Zoo Tours
Sharks Underwater |

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Enjoy your Ice Cream Treat

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