ABC's of Summer Learning. The Playful Learning Plan for Back-to-School

We are so excited to pull this post together! With the end of summer looming and back-to-school fall schedules not so far off, we thought it would be fun to present an A to Z list of fun, creative, and educational play and learning activities.

These ideas can be done all throughout the summer
…so pin this for next year ;)…
or look through the list and pick and choose a few activities to extend out the dog days of summer. Summer is meant to be a time to slow down on the schedules, lists, educational tips and pointers…and a time for the kids to just have fun being kids. We wanted to pull together a list from around the web and share playful and fun activities to make the most of summer before those fall schedules start up again. Now is the time to make a few memories. Kids learn through play so the best learning comes through playful activities. Let’s wrap up the summer with a full alphabet of fun.

Here we have it…the ABC’s of Summer Learning!

A is for: Alphabet Ice Muffins

Write the Alphabet.

Animals at the Lake Small World Play

Practice your Address

B is for: 35 Free Things to do at the Beach by Nothing if Not Intentional

Blow Bubbles.

Make a Book Nook

Paint a Bluebird

C is for: Crumbly Coconut Dough by Creative Playhouse

Camp Out.

Collect Coins.

Make your own Colored Sand by Sugar Aunts

D is for: Dandelions. Get messy with Dandelion Sensory Play

Decorate Bikes by Coffee Cups and Crayons

Dial your phone number. Practice important numbers.

Dance.

E is for: Egg Carton Sea Life Fantastic Fun and Learning

Eat a new food.

Explore a new playground.

Encourage Eye-Hand Coordination with Ice

F is for: Practice Fine Motor Skills with Fireworks activities

Make Baby Sensory Fireworks

Visit a Farmers Market.

Catch Fireflies.

G is for: Grow a Garden

Indoor Gross Motor Play

Hammer Golf Tees in the Ground

Help put away the Groceries.

H is for: Help The Homeless

Practice Handwriting

Play Hide and Seek.

Count to One Hundred.

I is for: Make Ice Cream Dough

Make Ice Cream in a Bag

Collect Insects.

Create an Ice Train by Play Trains!

J is for: Jump in Puddles.

Make Fourth of July Goopy Dough

Make Jello

K is for: Keep Cool with Water Games for Kids

Kick a Ball

Fly a Kite

L is for: Practice Letter Identification on the Garage Door

Make a Lemonade stand
Create a Luau Water Bin

M is for:   Enjoy Messy Play
               Curate a Seashell Museum by The Pleasantest Thing
               Make Music
               Make a Map of your house.

N is for:   Go on a Nature Hunt
                Collect things in Nature
                Practice your Name
                Work on Numbers in Nature

O is for:   Obstacle Course by Lalymom
                Play Outside

P is for:   Have a Summer-themed Play Date
                Practice your Phone Number.
                Paint Clouds by Coffee Cups and Crayons
                Have a Picnic.

Q is for:    Sort and Manipulate Quarters
                Play the Quiet Game
                Make a fort with a Quilt

R is for: Rainbow Chalk Writing

Have Relay Races by Mamas Like Me

Read books.

Ride your bike.

S is for: Enjoy Summertime Sand Play by The Good Long Road

Play Simon Says

Use Strawberry Counting Cards by Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Create a Suncatcher by Buggy and Buddy

T is for: Make Train Tracks in the Sand by Play Trains!

Try something new.

Enjoy Textures with Driveway Chalk

Play Tic Tac Toe.

U is for: Plan an Under The Sea Party by KC Edventures

Use an Umbrella in the rain.

Help Unload the dishwasher.

V is for: Practice your Visual Motor Skills

Plant some Vegetables.

Read some Vintage Summer Books by KC Edventures

W is for: Make a Watermelon Craft to Practice Cutting Skills by Frogs &

Snails & Puppy Dog Tails.

Play Water Balloon Games by Fantastic Fun and Learning

Create a few Water Bins

Go for a Walk

X is for: Make a Homemade Xylophone in the backyard by And Next Comes L

Make a Treasure Map where “X” marks the spot.

Y is for: Go for a walk and Look For Yellow by Tips from a Typical Mom

Name the months in the Year.

Z is for: Practice Cutting Zig Zags

Visit the Zoo

Learn your Zipcode

So there it is! Get out there and enjoy the end of summer…with a little educational play thrown in!

ABC’s of Summer Learning. The Playful Learning Plan for Back-to-School

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