Summer | Creative Learning Preschool, Inc.

End of Summer Bucket List Activities To Do With Your Preschooler

Posted on August 6, 2026

We’ve reached the point of summer where a lot of parents have exhausted the standard summer activities like days at the park, going to the beach, or swimming at the pool. As we start approaching the end of summer and the beginning of the back-to-school season, it can be fun to spend time doing unique activities that will keep your little ones engaged. In this blog, we’ll cover some fun bucket list activities to make the most of the end of summer with your preschooler!

Catch Fireflies & Pitch a Tent

If you’ve got the backyard space, a campout is a lot of fun! Pitch a small tent in the backyard, grab some flashlights, and roast some marshmallows. You can also search for fireflies in the evening and catch them in your hands. Show your child how cool it is to watch them glow!

Painted Fence

Do you have a wooden fence in your backyard? Give your preschooler a bucket of water and a few large, chunky paintbrushes. Let them “paint” the wooden fence—it keeps them busy, hones their motor skills, and dries mess-free. If you don’t have a fence, you can use this “paint” on your driveway or sidewalk.

Take a Nature Walk

On the cooler summer days, going for a nature walk is a fun and educational way to spend time outdoors. Look up the trail or park you want to go to in advance to see what types of animals, bugs, and fauna they have. Make a bingo card or scavenger hunt up for your little one to keep them engaged during your walk!

Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course

If you have a cement/asphalt driveway or low-traffic sidewalks, a chalk obstacle course is a fun activity to keep your little ones engaged and can get some of their energy out. Draw a giant zigzag line, a mini hopscotch, and “stop and spin” zones for them to navigate on foot or with their bikes/scooters.

Make a Fairy Garden

If you’re looking to start an activity that your little ones can add onto every season, a fairy garden is perfect! Carve out a special spot in your backyard and have your little ones decorate it like a fairy garden. You can use items from their playroom or go to a craft store and find the perfect fairy decor. In the fall, they can add some autumnal or Halloween decorations to their fairy garden!

Miniature Car Wash

Set up a mini car wash station in your backyard! Use a water table or shallow tube. Take some toy cars and get them muddy. Then have your little ones clean them in the car wash with toothbrushes and soapy water. If they have enough fun with their mini car wash, upgrade and let them give your car a good cleaning!

Make a Flower Painting

Pick some flowers from your backyard or local park and use them to paint! Your little one can use them as a paintbrush or a stamp to make flower imprints. It’s a fun way to make painting different, and you can throw away the “paintbrushes” at the end instead of having to wash and try them!

Six Summertime Crafts For Preschoolers

Posted on July 30, 2026

Summer is here! With all of the fun, outdoor activities that summertime allows, sometimes you need a fun activity in your pocket, whether it’s a rainy day, too warm, or you just need a little bit of quiet time inside. Crafts aren’t just a good activity to keep littles occupied – they are actually great for their development and fine motor skills. In this blog, we’ve got six great summertime crafts for your preschooler!

Summer Agamorph

So what is an agamograph? Well, it’s two pictures in one, and depending on which side you view it from, you will see one picture appear. There are millions of possibilities on how to make one. Once you know how it’s done, your kids will be creating their own.

Ice Cream Cone Garland

Do your littles love to decorate for every season and holiday? Ice cream cone garland is a cute way to have some handmade summer decorations out. The garland is just so easy to make and looks adorable on display!

Paper Stingray Craft

This cute paper stingray craft is perfect for any ocean-obsessed littles; making them is a great way to kill an hour, and then they provide many more hours of fun as a cute handmade toy. The best part is these little stingrays are so simple to make and only require cheap basic materials, too!

Colorful Jellyfish Craft

If your little ones love the aquarium and you want to bring a piece of that home, this is a great craft. The best part, it requires no paint, so if you’ve been on the hunt for a fun summer craft that doesn’t make a lot of mess, this jellyfish craft is perfect!

Paper Plate Butterflies

Dive into the vibrant world of watercolors and create a charming paper plate butterfly craft that’s perfect for kids to enjoy all summer long. All you need are some leftover paper plates, paint, a stapler, and a popsicle stick or clothespin!

Emotion Changing Paper Cup Octopus

This paper cup octopus craft will need a bit of adult help in one step, but it is a great crafty activity for kids to make and play with. It can also be a great tool for teaching your littles about emotions and helping them express theirs.

Tips For Summer Vacation Travel With Preschoolers

Posted on June 16, 2026

Summer break is almost here! If you’re planning to celebrate the end of school and the start of summer with a trip, preparing ahead of time to prevent a preschool meltdown is so important! From traveling to what to pack to managing the experience, thoughtful planning can help make your summer vacation as enjoyable as possible. In this blog, we’ll cover some tips for traveling so you and your family can have the best summer vacation!

Logistics & Transit Tips

Fly Early: Morning flights are less likely to be delayed, which helps prevent children from becoming overtired before boarding. You can also avoid having their sleeping schedule thrown off if they struggle to sleep on planes.

Burn Energy Before Boarding: Let children run in airport play zones or walk through the terminal before flight or car rides to minimize antsy behavior. If you’re taking a road trip, make sure you build in a little activity time during your pit stops.

Gate-Check Essentials: Strollers and car seats can be gate-checked for free, keeping them accessible until the very last moment. This can be extra helpful when your adults are outnumbered by littles.

Takeoff & Landing Support: Feeding a baby or giving a toddler a lollipop during descent helps equalize ear pressure through swallowing. Gum is also a great solution for older children.

Packing Essentials

Strategic Snacks: Pack mess-free, familiar snacks like fruit pouches and crackers, but include a few “novel” treats to use as distractions or rewards when needed.

The “Emergency” Bag: Keep a change of clothes for your child and yourself in your carry-on for spills or accidents. Keep an extra layer or blanket in there in case the plane gets chilly.

Sleep Aids: Bring familiar items like a sound machine, favorite stuffed animals, and blackout solutions to help them adjust to new environments.

Safety Gear: If you’re going somewhere you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun, use long-sleeved UV-protection swimsuits and sun hats with ties to ensure they stay on.

Managing the Experience

Schedule “Down Days”: Avoid overscheduling; alternate high-activity days with low-key ones to prevent your little one from getting exhausted. This will also help reduce tantrums and meltdowns.

Relax Screen Time Rules: Travel can be very overwhelming for adults, let alone children. It’s okay to loosen screen time limits to make travelling easier for everyone.

Book a Suite: Whether it’s a suite or a house rental, finding a space that also has a living room space will help you enjoy your vacation without worrying about going to bed as early as your littles or stumbling around in a dark hotel room.

Seven Summertime Songs For Preschoolers

Posted on July 22, 2025July 22, 2025

Whether it’s a rainy summer day or you’re just looking for a new activity to keep your little ones entertained, summer-themed songs are the perfect activity for you and your littles! Pick a summer song and let your littles sing, wiggle, and dance to the music! In this blog, we’ve picked out seven fun songs that your preschooler can sing and dance along to while celebrating summertime!

Let’s Go To The Beach

The beach is a great place to enjoy a summer day and explore a new environment! Rhymington Square are having lots of fun at the beach together. 🎶 Let’s go to the beach! Let’s go to the beach! 🎶

Boom Chicka Boom

Your kids will love this silly summer song for children. This is a repeat after me song. So make sure you repeat all of the silly actions and dance moves! This summer dance song is ideal for preschool, kindergarten and elementary children.

Ocean Songs

Here’s a collection of our favorite Super Simple Songs about aquatic life and adventures on the seas. This compilation includes “The Jellyfish”, “A Sailor Went To Sea”, “10 Little Fishies”, “Baby Shark”, and more!

Summer Freeze Dance

Sing and dance along to Summer Dance Freeze with THE KIBOOMERS! This is a great opportunity to show your kids some of your favorite dance moves and have a lot of fun together.

We’re Going on a Shark Hunt

Join us on a fun and exciting shark hunt with The Kiboomers! This catchy song for kids is perfect for singing and dancing along. Let’s go on a musical adventure and see if we can find any sharks!

Summer Song For Kids

Join our characters for a fun look at different summer activities for kids: swim, bike, surf, hike, read, camp, play, dance! This upbeat song is perfect for young children to explore 8 different verbs in English – all related to summer fun: swim, bike, surf, hike, read, camp, play, dance! Arranged in an interactive way, this season’s song is ideal for teachers of ESL or EFL as well.

In Summer

For little ones who are Disney fans, “In Summer” from the movie Frozen is a fun summer song. Join Olaf in this sing-along version of the song!

Summer Safety Tips For Preschoolers

Posted on June 27, 2025

Summertime is officially here, and with summer comes long days of swimming, lots of fireworks, and barbeques with grilling and bonfires. While these are some of the most exciting parts of summer for your little ones, they are also big risks for injury for children. In this blog, we’ll go over some safety tips to make sure your little ones can have fun doing their favorite things all summer long while staying safe!

Firework Safety For Preschoolers

Supervision is Key

The most important rule for young children and fireworks is to never allow young children to handle fireworks unsupervised. Even seemingly harmless sparklers can reach temperatures exceeding 1000°F (537°C), posing a significant burn risk.

Don’t Get Distracted

It’s important to limit distractions and anything that can affect your focus and judgment when handling fireworks, but especially if you’re handling fireworks with children around. Have a designated photo taker for fireworks if you plan to grab a few shots of your little one, so you can focus on making sure they are handling their fireworks safely and will have your hands free to jump in if there’s an emergency.

Establish a Safe Distance

Set up a designated viewing area at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited. Keep young children a considerable distance away from the fireworks display to prevent accidental burns or injuries from debris.

Water and Fire Extinguishers

Have a bucket of water or a hose nearby to douse spent fireworks or extinguish any unexpected fires. It’s also wise to keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies, especially if you are handling larger or more elaborate fireworks.

Water Safety For Preschoolers

No One Should Swim Alone

Make sure inexperienced or weak swimmers stay within arm’s reach of an adult. Young but experienced swimmers should stay in pairs.

Have Designated Pool Watchers

Designate an adult to watch the water for a set amount of time. Rotate however often feels comfortable, ie, every 15 minutes, so the designated adult is less likely to get distracted and gets to enjoy the day.

Remove Distractions

Avoid distractions such as books, phones, magazines, or loud music when you are the primary adult responsible for watching the swimmers.

Bathing Suit Safety

Make sure your child’s bathing suit is in a water-safe color. Blue bathing suits can be hard to spot in a pool. Colors like neon green, hot pink, and bright orange can help your child stand out in the pool, making it easier to keep track of them and spot under water.

Grill and Fire Pit Safety

Designate a Safe Zone

Create a safe zone around your grill or fire pit where your children know not to cross. For grilling, you may want to use chalk or cones to create a border that your little ones should never cross. Fire pit safe zones can be different depending on the type of fire pit you have, but the typical safe zone for grills and fire is 3 feet.

Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy

Whether you’re grilling or having a bonfire, keeping a fire extinguisher on hand is a great safety measure. While it can seem like an unnecessary step, it’s one that you won’t regret taking should the need for it arise.

Never Leave a Flame Unattended

If your grill is on or a fire is lit, never leave it unattended. Even if you think your child is inside and it’s safe to walk away for a minute, one miscommunication can lead to a deadly accident.

Teach Children Fire Safety Rules

Don’t wait until your child is excited to run off and play when you start to teach them safety rules. Go over safety rules in advance and explain the importance of not running near grills and fires, not throwing things near them, and to always get adult help when roasting marshmallows or getting food from near the grill.

6 Ideas For Summer Sensory Play

Posted on July 26, 2024

Summer is the perfect time to engage preschoolers in sensory play, using items that capture the essence of the season. Sensory play is not only fun but also essential for developing fine motor skills, cognitive growth, and developmental skills. In this blog, we’ll talk about six ideas for sensory play activities that utilize seasonal items.

Sand Sensory Bin

Materials:

Clean play sand

Small shovels and buckets

Sea shells

Toy dinosaurs or animals

Mini beach toys (tiny beach balls, plastic rakes, etc.)

Activity:

Fill a large bin with clean play sand and hide sea shells, small toys, and mini beach items within it. Provide children with shovels, brushes, and buckets to dig, explore, and discover hidden treasures. This activity stimulates their sense of touch and encourages imaginative play as they create their own beach scenes.

Sea Shell Sorting and Counting

Materials:

Assorted sea shells

Small containers or trays

Markers or stickers (optional)

Activity:

Set up a station with various sea shells and containers for sorting. Ask the children to sort the shells by size, color, or type. For an added educational element, have them count the number of shells in each group and place stickers or markers on containers to indicate numbers. This activity enhances their fine motor skills, sorting abilities, and counting skills.

Frozen Fruit Sensory Play

Materials:

Assorted seasonal fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, watermelon)

Ice cube trays

Water

Plastic utensils

Activity:

Cut the seasonal fruits into small pieces and place them in ice cube trays filled with water. Freeze the trays overnight. The next day, provide the frozen fruit cubes to your children and let them explore the different textures and temperatures. They can use plastic utensils to scoop, mash, and taste the fruits as they melt. This activity is a fantastic way to introduce them to new textures and flavors while keeping them cool.

Beach-Themed Water Play

Materials:

Large plastic bin or kiddie pool

Water

Sea shells, small beach toys, and sponges

Blue food coloring (optional)

Activity:

Fill a large plastic bin or kiddie pool with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring for a sea-like appearance. Toss in sea shells, small beach toys, and sponges. Let the children splash, squeeze, and explore the items in the water. This activity promotes sensory exploration and provides a refreshing break from the heat.

Fruit and Veggie Stamping

Materials:

Seasonal fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, oranges, cucumbers)

Non-toxic paint

Paper or canvas

Activity:

Cut the fruits and vegetables in half and dip them in non-toxic paint. Provide the children with paper or canvas to stamp and create their own artwork. Each fruit and vegetable will produce unique shapes and patterns, allowing children to experiment with different colors and textures. This activity is not only fun but also fosters creativity and fine motor skills.

DIY Sand Dough

Materials:

1 cup of sand

1 cup of flour

⅓ cup of oil

Large mixing bowl

Activity:

Combine the sand, flour, and oil in a large mixing bowl to create a sand dough. Allow the children to knead, mold, and shape the dough into various forms. They can use cookie cutters, rolling pins, or their hands to create sand sculptures. This activity is a great way to develop their tactile sense and creativity.

Beat the Heat: Safety Tips For Hot Weather

Posted on July 10, 2024July 10, 2024

Summer brings sunshine, outdoor fun, and family adventures, but it also brings the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for young children. Parents, it’s important to be vigilant about heat safety to ensure you and your children stay healthy and happy during the hot months. In this blog, we’ll discuss the risks of heat-related illnesses, the importance of heat safety, and practical tips to keep your little ones safe.

Understanding the Risks

Young children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses because their bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature. They can overheat quickly, leading to conditions such as:

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache.

Heat Stroke

A severe condition that can cause confusion, rapid pulse, high body temperature, and even loss of consciousness. It requires immediate medical attention.

Dehydration

This occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to dry mouth, lethargy, and fewer wet diapers.

Helpful Heat Safety Tips

Stay Hydrated

Encourage your children to drink water frequently, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Offer water-rich snacks like watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges, especially if they’re resistant to drinking water. Avoid sugary drinks and sodas, which can contribute to dehydration.

Dress Appropriately

Dress your children in lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help keep them cool. Use wide-brimmed hats to protect their heads and faces from the sun.

Plan Outdoor Activities Wisely

Schedule outdoor playtimes for early mornings or late afternoons when the sun’s rays are less intense. Take frequent breaks in the shade to cool down. Limit the amount of time spent in direct sunlight.

Use Sunscreen

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your child’s skin 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or more often if they are swimming or sweating.

Never Leave Children in a Car

Temperatures inside a car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes, even with the windows cracked open. Always check the backseat before locking the car and ensure all children have exited the vehicle.

Create Cool Zones

Use fans or air conditioning to keep your play areas cool. Set up a kiddie pool or water play area in the shade for safe, supervised water fun.

Educate About Signs of Heat-Related Illness

Teach older children and caregivers to recognize symptoms like dizziness, headache, or nausea and to seek help immediately. Monitor younger children closely for any signs of distress.

Fun and Safe Summer Activities

Keeping your children safe from the heat doesn’t mean they have to miss out on summer fun. Here are some activities that can keep them entertained and cool:

Water Play

Set up sprinklers, splash pads, or small inflatable pools in shaded areas to help keep everyone cool and having fun.

Indoor Crafts

Create summer-themed crafts indoors during the hottest part of the day to help keep kids occupied without being outside.

Nature Walks

Take early morning or evening walks to explore nature trails when it’s cooler. Look for nature trails that have a lot of shade and places to sit for hydration and snack breaks.

Library Visits

Spend time in the local library reading books about summer adventures during really hot days. Your local library will likely also have different indoor activities for your little ones that you can get involved with!

Sidewalk Stories: Creative Chalk Activities for Children

Posted on June 3, 2024

As summer approaches children will no doubt be spending more time outside, enjoying the warm weather. While they may spend a lot of their time on bikes, trampolines, and swing sets, one of the simplest yet most versatile tools for outdoor play is chalk. From colorful drawings to engaging games, chalk opens up a world of possibilities for your little ones. Let’s dive into some exciting activities that preschoolers can enjoy with sidewalk chalk.

Sidewalk Art Gallery

Transform your sidewalk into an art gallery! Give each child a section of pavement and let them unleash their creativity. Encourage them to draw animals, flowers, their families, or anything else that comes to mind. If you’re creatively inclined, draw out ornate frames for your children to draw their masterpieces in.

Hopscotch

Who doesn’t love a classic game of hopscotch? Draw the hopscotch grid with numbers using chalk and let the little ones hop away! This game not only improves balance and coordination but also helps with number recognition and counting. You can even add variations like hopping on one foot or hopping backward to keep it exciting.

Obstacle Course

Create a chalk obstacle course with various challenges like jumping over lines, balancing along a straight line, or hopping between shapes. Let the children navigate through the course, developing their gross motor skills while having a blast. You can adjust the difficulty level based on the age and skill level of the children or make it larger if your children are riding bikes through it!

Alphabet and Number Practice

Reinforce early literacy and number skills by drawing letters and numbers with chalk. Encourage the children to trace over the shapes and say the corresponding letter or number aloud. You can make it even more engaging by turning it into a scavenger hunt, where they have to find and trace specific letters or numbers scattered around the play area.

Sensory Play

Mix chalk dust with water to create vibrant chalk paint. Provide brushes or sponges and let the children paint the pavement or even themselves! This sensory-rich activity stimulates creativity while engaging multiple senses. Plus, it’s easy to clean up with a hose or some water.

Dance Party

Draw a dance floor with chalk and play some lively music. Encourage the children to dance and move around the designated area. They can follow simple dance steps or freestyle to the rhythm. This activity not only promotes physical activity but also boosts mood and self-expression.

Four Square

Four Square is a fun game to play if you have some chalk and a rubber ball! If you’re unfamiliar with four square the rules are as follows:

Each player stands in one of the squares, numbered one through four. The player in the highest numbered square (usually called “King”) serves the ball by bouncing it once in their square and then hitting it into another player’s square. That player must then hit the ball into another square before it bounces more than once in their square. If a player fails to hit the ball into another square, or if they hit the ball out of bounds, they are out and move to the lowest-numbered square. The objective is to advance to the highest square and stay there as long as possible while defending it against other players.

Swimming Safety Tips For Young Children

Posted on July 6, 2023

What Should I Do When My Kids Are In The Water?

Make sure inexperienced or weak swimmers stay within arm’s reach of an adult. Young but experienced swimmers should stay in pairs.
Designate an adult to watch the water for a set amount of time. Rotate however often feels comfortable ie. every 15 minutes so the designated adult is less likely to get distracted and gets to enjoy the day.
Avoid distractions such as books, phones, magazines, or loud music when you are the primary adult responsible for watching the swimmers.

What Are Some Pool Safety Tips For Kids?

Make sure there is a clear line of sight from your house to the pool. Preferably from a room you spend a lot of time in.
Install a fence around the pool, preferably between four and five feet tall. Make sure that any gates do not have child friendly latches.
Keep electrical appliances away from the pool area.
Store pool chemicals safely in an area that is inaccessible to children. Take the time to explain to your children that chemicals are not safe to be used by children rather than just telling them not to touch them.
If you have a small kiddy pool, make sure you empty it and flip it upside down immediately after use. Store the pool outside of your children’s reach.

What Are Some General Swimming Safety Tips To Remember?

Never leave children alone in or around the water.
Don’t let children swim during inclement weather.
Never replace a lifejacket with pool toys or water wings.
Don’t allow gum chewing or eating while swimming, diving, or playing in the water.
Keep a first aid kit on hand while swimming.
If you’re swimming with someone else’s child, make sure to have emergency phone numbers beforehand.
Learn CPR if possible.
Don’t pressure children to swim when they aren’t ready.
Remove toys and floats from the pool immediately after swimming. Children may be tempted to reach in to grab the toy while unattended.

Discuss the importance of swimming and pool safety with your children as well! To children, the pool and the beach are so exciting so wanting to run right in without looking back is only natural. Take the time before you have the pool or the ocean within view to talk to your child about the importance of safe swimming in a way that they will understand for their age. Waiting until you are at the pool or the beach will make it a lot more difficult for your child to really receive the information. Stay safe and have fun this summer!

10 Great Books To Get Excited For Summer

Posted on June 29, 2023

Summer is almost here! And while you and your littles are getting ready to start spending the days on the beach, playing outside, swimming at the pool, and enjoying barbecues, it’s important to make sure you are still reading with your child. There are hundreds of great books for children all about summertime. This list is just ten of our many current favorites to get our littles excited about summer and reading!

Brave Little Camper by Carmen Crowe (Ages 1-3)

Explore nighttime in the forest with Little Camper and adorable woodland friends! It’s a beautiful night filled with new sights, animals, and sounds. Gather around the campfire and join the crew on another brave adventure as Little Camper spends the night in the forest for the very first time!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer by Eric Carle (Ages 1-3)

Celebrate summer with The Very Hungry Caterpillar and his friends in this exploration of the season. Young readers can learn all about seasonal sensory experiences, like listening to noisy bugs, feeling the warm sunshine, smelling the yummy scents of a cookout, and so much more!

I See Summer by Charles Ghigna (Ages 2-4)

Pea pods, cucumbers, and strawberries provide plenty of opportunities for counting in the garden! Follow Dad, Grandma, and other family members as they pick and count. Hidden numbers on every page give readers an opportunity to search and learn!

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? by DK (Ages 2-5)

Winter, spring, summer, and fall are each represented by a vibrant outdoor scene revealing seasonal changes, from ponds freezing over, to baby birds leaving their nests for the first time. And with changes in weather come new things to try: it’s windy enough to fly a kite; it’s rainy enough to splash in puddles; it’s snowy enough to build a snowman. But is it warm enough for ice cream?

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (Ages 3-6)

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner (Ages 3-7)

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season!

Swim, Jim! by Kaz Windness (Ages 4-7)

Jim the crocodile is scared of swimming—or rather, of sinking. His family’s swamp is just too deep, too dark, and too big. But maybe he could swim, if only there were a smaller swamp where he could try it on his own terms. Jim wiggle-waggles far and wide until he finds the perfect place. With the help of some floaties and his sisters, Jim just might find the courage to face his fear and show everyone—including himself—that Jim can swim!

When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling (Ages 4-8)

For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, and of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn’t start until her lola—her grandmother from the Philippines—comes for her annual visit. When Lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home—but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer!

It Began with Lemonade by Gideon Sterer (Ages 4-8)

One scorching hot summer day, a spunky young girl decides to sell lemonade . . . only to find there are too many other young entrepreneurs on her street with the same idea. So she sets off with her lemonade stand and ends up at the river’s edge, where she discovers a most unexpected, quirky, and very thirsty clientele!

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan (Ages 4-8)

The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive―and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and wile away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season.

If you read any of these books with your little ones and love them, head over to our social media and let us know! And if you’ve got other books that get your littles excited about summertime and reading, leave a comment so we can check them out!