Kindergarten and preschool teachers....I am looking for fun summer projects?

Question

Thank you to those who have already responded. I would like to expand my question....

The age group in my class is 5 - 6.5. So, some of the ideas are truly great; however, the older students are not interested in some of these....more?

Answer 1

Vegetable patch-buy some long containers and plant various seeds..children will enjoy caring for them and seeing them grow and then you can do a cooking session once they have grown!

Maybe a 'beach theme'...make a large sandpit area and then have beach chairs, umbrella, buckets and spades etc...you can make it educational through play-use buckets to play full and empty games, talk about science (how wet does sand need to be?)etc. can be creative too and they decorate sand castles. Then to add more education the children can talk about safety and make displays to hang on beach eg: dont forget sun cream, sun hats, stay with an adult etc...it can be extended however you like!

-Get in contact with a charity or younger school-children can make things for them, have visits, exchange letters etc. Is a good 'helping others' and community project and again can be made educational. Eg: sponsor child in another country-school i know wrote letters, made gift boxes for them and older ones made their own toys to send for them.

- A large art project that can be added to daily or weekly...maybe a favourite book? I'm doing "Dear Zoo" at the moment and we are doing a page a week from the book.

Answer 2

playing in water!!!

Answer 3

obviously playing in/with water

bubbles

planting a flower pot or garden

cooking together---making pizza and pretzels are some of our faves

going to the library

beads---making bracelets or necklaces

painting on a paver (brick) with latex paint then spraying over with clear coat to make a stepping stone (LOVE THESE and they are cheap---99c)

there are SO many possibilities---check out www.dltk-kids.com or google "summer preschool activities"

Answer 4

Sidewalk chalk is great!

Answer 5

Dress-up is always a great choice, and If you can move it outside that adds a new element.  I also try to do a lot of reading and "indoor" art (painting, easel, etc) outside.  During the afternoon we take out snack outside and read books, check out your library there is usually a summer reading program or something along those lines.

Answer 6

let the kids come up with a summer 'camp name' for their class.  then make a camp flag and hang it in your classroom.  each kid gets to sign the flag as they either drop out for the summer or transfer in.  use the group name on the flag.  it makes a terrific keepsake and you can add to it next year with next year's kids.

idea to paint the flag.:

get a twin sized flat bed sheet and cut in half.  you sould paint on the camp name in large, neon letters.  then let the kids paint with diluted paints using water pistols, feather dusters, sponges, etc.  they'll have a terrific time doing it.

if you don't have a camp name you can use the name of your school.

Answer 7

Try craft kits from oriental trading company

Fuse Beads (it takes 4-ever)

Weaving

Mosaic tiles in plaster of paris

necklaces

Layering sand of different colors in a bottle

Make a treasure map/scavenger Hunt

Origami

Paper mac he (sp)

Model Magic/ Make pots/beads/ and paint them

Cooking projects

Scratch art

Around the world/ do art project from all over the world

Games: Four corners, Red Rover, Doggie, Doggie,Red light, Green light, Mother May I? (keep the games simple)

Freeze Dance