☀️ Summer Activities for EYFS & KS1 | Ideas, Printables & Seasonal Planning

Theme collection · EYFS & KS1

Explore, imagine & play this Summer

Find Summer resources for seasonal discovery, seaside play, outdoor exploration and shared stories, with free printables and planning for EYFS and KS1.

Begin with children’s own experiences: water in a tray, shadows on a path, a local walk or an imagined journey. Choose a few useful resources to extend familiar provision and follow the ideas that emerge.

Summer experiences look different for every child. Local adventures and everyday play belong here just as much as trips and holidays.

Explore 31 free resources ↓
Choose a Summer starting point ↓

01 / Explore the theme

Start with something free

Find free Summer activities, sun-safety pictures, beach prompts and calendars. Each card describes the version available, with smaller samples clearly identified.

Aryan’s Holiday — Beach Question Pack — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Aryan’s Holiday — Beach Question Pack

Talk about Aryan’s possible beach holiday and share ideas. Drawing pages and lined writing options let children respond in different ways.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

30 Days of Summer — Free Inspiration Poster — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

30 Days of Summer — Free Inspiration Poster

Choose from Summer activity ideas in any order, or add your own ideas to the blank version. This is the free edition.

Beach Mindfulness Scavenger Hunt — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Beach Mindfulness Scavenger Hunt — Free Sample

Use the free picture checklists to slow down, look closely and talk about things children notice at the beach.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Design a Shell Multimats — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Design a Shell Multimats — Free Sample

Draw, decorate or model shell designs. The free mats can be used with art materials or laminated for repeated play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Beach Mark Making Cards — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Beach Mark Making Cards — Free Sample

Six beach creatures each have a dotted-pattern card and a blank-space card. Try the marks on paper or use the cards as prompts for drawing in sand.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

My Summer Activity Booklet — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

My Summer Activity Booklet — Free Sample

Five Summer activity pages plus a front cover. This card links to the free sample booklet.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Basket Mat — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Basket Mat — Free Sample

Talk about what the bears might take on a picnic, then draw, make or model items on the free basket mat.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Bear Ears — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Bear Ears — Free Sample

Make bear headbands for a teddy bears’ picnic or role play. An adult can prepare the paper band and help with cutting and assembly.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Sunglasses Two-Piece Puzzles — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sunglasses Two-Piece Puzzles — Free Sample

Match the two halves of the coloured sunglasses. Talk about the colours and notice the printed colour words.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Sun Safety Items Four-Piece Puzzle — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety Items Four-Piece Puzzle — Free Sample

Match pictures of familiar sun-safety items. The free puzzle includes versions with and without text for shared conversation.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sun Safety “Don’t Forget” Posters — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety “Don’t Forget” Posters — Free Sample

Visual reminders for shared sun-safety conversations and display in your setting. Use alongside current guidance and everyday routines.

Sun Cream Counting Puzzles — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Cream Counting Puzzles — Free Sample

Match numerals 1–10 with the pictured quantity of sun-cream drops. Use the free puzzles for counting, matching or a small interactive display.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sun Safety Colouring — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety Colouring — Free Sample

Colour pictures of familiar sun-safety items, with room for conversation about their use.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sun Dice Game — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Dice Game — Free Sample

Roll a 1–6 dice and collect the matching numbered pieces to complete a sun picture. An adult prepares the pieces before play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sun Safety Memory Find Game — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety Memory Find Game — Free Sample

Turn over cards and collect the four items needed for your board. The free game is designed for up to four players.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sun Safety Multimats — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety Multimats — Free Sample

Decorate sun-safety pictures using drawing or collage materials, or laminate the free mats for modelling and loose-parts play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Sunglasses Colour Match Cards — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sunglasses Colour Match Cards — Free Sample

Match coloured sunglasses, play a pairs game or use the cards for shared colour talk. Printed colour words offer an additional point of interest.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Keep Sun Safe — Free Mark Making Sheets — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Keep Sun Safe — Free Mark Making Sheets

Draw, make marks or write about sun-safety ideas. Choose a sheet that suits the child’s preferred way of communicating.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Sun Safety Picture Snap — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Sun Safety Picture Snap — Free Sample

Use the free picture cards for snap or matching pairs, with conversation about the objects and their features.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Heat Health Poster — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Heat Health Poster — Free Sample

Adult-facing information about heat-related illness in children. The source marks this edition reviewed in May 2026; use with current official heat-health guidance.

Protecting Children in Hot Weather — Free Posters — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Protecting Children in Hot Weather — Free Posters

Adult-facing information sheets about indoor and outdoor provision during extreme heat. The source marks this edition reviewed in May 2026.

“Drink Some Water” Visual Prompt — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

“Drink Some Water” Visual Prompt — Free Sample

A visual communication prompt to support adults in reminding children to pause for a drink during their everyday routines.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

“Drink Some Water” Reminder Wristbands — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

“Drink Some Water” Reminder Wristbands — Free Sample

Printable reminder bands, including a colouring version, to support conversations and routines around drinking water. Adults choose and prepare suitable use.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Minibeast Hunt Activity Pack — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Minibeast Hunt Activity Pack — Free Sample

A free sample of activity guidance and supporting printables for a minibeast hunt, including observation, vocabulary and mark-making prompts.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Kids Olympics & Sports Day Certificates — Free Sample — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

Kids Olympics & Sports Day Certificates — Free Sample

Free editable A4 certificates for Kids Olympics and Sports Day. Personalise the name, message and occasion.

June 2027 Special Dates Calendar — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

June 2027 Special Dates Calendar

A free calendar of dates and events for June 2027. Choose events relevant to your setting and check dates before planning.

July 2027 Special Dates Calendar — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

July 2027 Special Dates Calendar

A free calendar of dates and events for July 2027. Choose events relevant to your setting and check dates before planning.

August 2027 Special Dates Calendar — Free Access resource cover
Free Access

August 2027 Special Dates Calendar

A free calendar of dates and events for August 2027. Choose events relevant to your setting and check dates before planning.

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02 / Explore the theme

Summer provision & play

Choose a starting point that connects with your children and setting. Combine selected resources with real experiences, familiar materials and time for children to revisit their own ideas.

Noticing Summer & science

Observe seasonal changes, explore shadows and investigate materials through adult-supported practical experiences. Use pictures and recording prompts to revisit what children notice and wonder about.

Seasonal Changes Display Posters — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Seasonal Changes Display Posters

Four A4 posters explore spring, summer, autumn and winter through clothing, weather and seasonal pictures, with simple day-and-night-length diagrams.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Seasons Sort & Match Cards — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Seasons Sort & Match Cards

Sort and match seven cards for each season, using pictures of trees, clothing, weather and seasonal details to compare changes across the year.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Signs of Summer Cards & Posters — resource cover
All Access

Signs of Summer Cards & Posters

Use seasonal picture prompts for noticing change, shared vocabulary and displays. Connect the pictures with children’s own local experiences.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Checklists — resource cover
All Access

Summer Checklists

Picture checklists with and without words for Summer noticing, scavenger hunts or a themed play scene. Children can mark what they find.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Make a Shadow — STEM Support Pack — resource cover
All Access

Make a Shadow — STEM Support Pack

Prompts and supporting printables for exploring the open-ended question “Can you make a shadow?” Use alongside practical adult-supported investigation.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Investigate Minibeasts — STEM Support Pack — resource cover
All Access

Investigate Minibeasts — STEM Support Pack

An open-ended investigation pack for observing minibeasts, asking questions and sharing findings. This is distinct from the Minibeast Hunt activity pack.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Make Something Melt — STEM Support Pack — resource cover
All Access

Make Something Melt — STEM Support Pack

Supporting printables for an adult-planned investigation into melting, observing changes and talking about ideas.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Float & Sink — Science Activity Pack — resource cover
All Access

Float & Sink — Science Activity Pack

Activity guidance, vocabulary and recording prompts for practical floating-and-sinking exploration with adult support.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Fruit Slushies — Science Activity Pack — resource cover
All Access

Fruit Slushies — Science Activity Pack

Adult activity guidance and supporting vocabulary, observation and recording printables for a fruit-slushie investigation.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Plant Hunt — Science Activity Pack — resource cover
All Access

Plant Hunt — Science Activity Pack

Adult guidance and supporting word, observation and mark-making resources for looking closely at plants.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Summer maths

Count, compare, order and record using Summer pictures and practical materials. Choose a suitable number range and help children represent their thinking in more than one way.

Summer I Spy, Count & Choose — resource cover
All Access

Summer I Spy, Count & Choose

Find and count the Summer pictures, then choose the matching number. Use as a mat or poster with suitable counters, pegs or pens.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Summer Activity Pictogram — resource cover
All Access

Summer Activity Pictogram

Build a shared picture chart of favourite Summer activities. Compare choices and notice that different people can prefer different experiences.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Ice Cream Flavour Pictogram — resource cover
All Access

Ice Cream Flavour Pictogram

Make a picture chart of favourite ice-cream flavours, then compare choices and quantities together.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Beach Tally Chart — resource cover
All Access

Beach Tally Chart

Use pictured beach objects as prompts for looking, checking or making tally marks. Adapt the amount of recording to the children.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Ice Cream Counting Playdough Mats — resource cover
All Access

Ice Cream Counting Playdough Mats

Make or draw the pictured number of ice-cream scoops. Use the mats to explore numeral recognition, matching quantities and modelling.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Summer Addition Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Summer Addition Sheets

Count two pictured groups to find how many there are altogether. Recording and blank-sheet options support adult-guided addition work.

Suggested use: Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Counting Posters — 0–20 — resource cover
All Access

Summer Counting Posters — 0–20

Count Summer pictures from zero to twenty. Print as display posters or smaller flashcards and select an appropriate number range.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Colour & Count — 1–20 — resource cover
All Access

Summer Colour & Count — 1–20

Count and colour Summer objects from one to twenty. Choose quantities that fit the child’s current experience.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Ice Cream Number Cards — 0–100 — resource cover
All Access

Ice Cream Number Cards — 0–100

Ice-cream numerals for number lines, displays or matching activities. Select a manageable range rather than using all cards at once.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Sunflower Number Line Activity — resource cover
All Access

Sunflower Number Line Activity

Build a sunflower number line to ten or twenty. Use the pieces for number recognition, ordering or an interactive display.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Sun Number Cards — 0–100 — resource cover
All Access

Sun Number Cards — 0–100

Sun-shaped numerals for number displays, ordering or selected flashcard activities. Choose the range that suits the children.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Flower Number Cards — 0–100 — resource cover
All Access

Flower Number Cards — 0–100

Flower-shaped numerals for number displays or ordering games. Use a selected range to match the activity.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Talk, mark making & early writing

Share experiences and imagined adventures through conversation, pictures, purposeful marks and writing. A holiday can be time at home; children do not need to have travelled to have a story worth telling.

My Summer Holidays — Recount Planning & Writing — resource cover
All Access

My Summer Holidays — Recount Planning & Writing

Plan a recount with drawings and sentences, then choose from writing sheets with different line spacing. Shared talk and adult scribing can support younger children.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

My Summer Bucket List — resource cover
All Access

My Summer Bucket List

Talk about possible Summer experiences, then record ideas through marks, pictures or writing. Activities at home and in the local area count too.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

In the Summer I Like To… — resource cover
All Access

In the Summer I Like To…

Record favourite Summer experiences in thought bubbles through drawing, marks or writing. An adult can scribe a child’s spoken ideas.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Word Cards — resource cover
All Access

Summer Word Cards

Illustrated Summer vocabulary cards with blank cards for adding your own words or pictures. Use for shared talk, displays and meaningful writing.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Word Mat — resource cover
All Access

Summer Word Mat

Share picture talk about Summer objects, their features and uses. The labelled mat can also support drawing, vocabulary and early writing.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

My Summer Senses Booklet — resource cover
All Access

My Summer Senses Booklet

Draw or write about things noticed through Summer experiences. Use individual prompt sheets or join them into a booklet.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

My Summer Senses Poem — resource cover
All Access

My Summer Senses Poem

Use sensory sentence starters for shared talk, adult scribing, marks or writing. The words do not need to rhyme.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Draw What You See — Rock Pool — resource cover
All Access

Draw What You See — Rock Pool

Draw observations from a rock pool, a created play scene or an imagined setting. The sheet can be used once or prepared for repeated drawing.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer CVC Word Builder Game — resource cover
All Access

Summer CVC Word Builder Game

Combine ice-lolly letter cards to make and read simple words. An adult selects only sounds children already know and checks the possible combinations.

Suggested use: Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Sights — Drawing & Writing — resource cover
All Access

Summer Sights — Drawing & Writing

Prompts for drawing, making marks or writing about a Summer walk and the things children noticed.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Sun Drawing & Writing Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Summer Sun Drawing & Writing Sheets

A blank and a lined sun-themed sheet for purposeful marks, drawings or writing during play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Bucket & Spade Drawing & Writing Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Bucket & Spade Drawing & Writing Sheets

Blank and lined sheets with a bucket-and-spade border for drawing, writing or role-play messages.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Ice Lolly Drawing & Writing Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Ice Lolly Drawing & Writing Sheets

Blank and lined lolly-shaped sheets for marks, drawings, labels or messages during Summer play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Beach Ball Drawing & Writing Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Beach Ball Drawing & Writing Sheets

Blank and lined beach-ball sheets for recording ideas through drawing, marks or writing.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Sports Day & Kids Olympics Recount Sheets — resource cover
All Access

Sports Day & Kids Olympics Recount Sheets

Drawing and writing sheets with different recording spaces, under both Sports Day and Kids Olympics titles.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Making, matching & creative play

Offer open-ended making alongside selected puzzles and games. Adapt the challenge, invite choices and leave room for children to change an idea or invent their own.

My Summer Holiday Checklists — resource cover
All Access

My Summer Holiday Checklists

Two activity-idea checklists and a blank sheet for adding personal choices. Select experiences that fit your family or setting.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Summer Two-Piece Puzzles — resource cover
All Access

Summer Two-Piece Puzzles

Match halves of familiar Summer pictures, noticing colour, shape and detail. Adult-supported picture talk can extend the matching game.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Summer Pom-Pom Mats — resource cover
All Access

Summer Pom-Pom Mats

Place suitable pom-poms or loose parts on coloured circles. Choose materials and tools that suit the children’s fine-motor experience.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Ice Cream Colouring & Writing Templates — resource cover
All Access

Ice Cream Colouring & Writing Templates

Ice-cream and lolly colouring pages, including call-out spaces for descriptive words, numbers or pretend prices.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Design Your Own Ice Cream — resource cover
All Access

Design Your Own Ice Cream

An ideas poster and two cone templates for drawing, collage, modelling or loose-parts designs. Talk about flavours, shapes and toppings.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

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Role play & imagined journeys

Choose signs, props and writing materials that support children’s stories. A few relevant additions can help an existing play space become a shop, picnic, garden centre or imagined journey.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Role-Play Pack

Signs, menus, food props and mark-making prompts for a teddy bears’ picnic, alongside bear ears, masks and other play materials.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Pirate Ship Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Pirate Ship Role-Play Pack

Ship signs, masks, porthole pictures, treasure cards and mission prompts for imaginative pirate play.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Aquarium Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Aquarium Role-Play Pack

Tickets, opening signs, exhibit information, sea-creature props and mark-making sheets for an imagined aquarium.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Holiday Hotel Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Holiday Hotel Role-Play Pack

Booking forms, room keys, clocks, signs and room-service props for hotel play and purposeful communication.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Garden Centre Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Garden Centre Role-Play Pack

Signs, seed-packet props, checklists, shopping lists and writing templates for a pretend garden centre.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Zoo Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Zoo Role-Play Pack

Tickets, a map, keeper badges, animal props and enclosure signs for imaginative zoo play and communication.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

Airport Role-Play Pack — resource cover
All Access

Airport Role-Play Pack

Boarding passes, luggage tags, menus, signs and aeroplane props for pretend journeys and meaningful mark making.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Outdoor sand & water play

Use selected invitations alongside established sand and water provision. Observe how children pour, fill, build, move and investigate before adding a new prompt.

Outdoor Sand Play Challenge Cards — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Outdoor Sand Play Challenge Cards

Open-ended invitations to build, investigate and create in outdoor sand provision, with prompts for shared talk and problem solving.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

Outdoor Water Play Challenge Cards — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Outdoor Water Play Challenge Cards

Open-ended invitations for investigating water, testing ideas and sharing discoveries in everyday outdoor provision.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

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Movement, games & Sports Day

Choose enjoyable movement and games that children can join in different ways. Adapt the space, equipment and pace, with opportunities to take turns, practise and celebrate participation.

Summer Movement Challenge Cards — resource cover
All Access

Summer Movement Challenge Cards

Eight pictured invitations to move, act and take turns. Share them individually or combine familiar actions into a movement sequence.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

Kids Olympics — Sports Day Pack — resource cover
All Access

Kids Olympics — Sports Day Pack

Eight activity-station prompts for an adaptable sports event. Adults choose equipment, groupings and timing to fit the children and setting.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Let provision grow with children’s ideas. Start with what children notice and revisit familiar materials. Seasonal additions can support play without every area needing a Summer theme.

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03 / Explore the theme

Planning & practitioner support

Explore adaptable toddler and preschool planning alongside Summer topic ideas. Use the suggestions that fit your children and current provision; a theme is an optional context for learning.

Water Play Week — Toddler Mini-Project Planner — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Water Play Week — Toddler Mini-Project Planner

A one-week framework for toddlers aged 18–36 months, exploring pouring, capacity, movement and simple scientific ideas through water play.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support

Playful Patterns & Construction — Toddler Planner — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Playful Patterns & Construction — Toddler Planner

A flexible three-to-four-week project for ages 18–36 months, supporting pattern, shape, construction and spatial language through play.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support

Summer: Sand, Sea & Sun — Toddler Planner — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Summer: Sand, Sea & Sun — Toddler Planner

A flexible three-to-four-week project for ages 18–36 months, centred on sand, water, movement and repeated actions in Summer play.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support

Healthy Bodies & Wellbeing — Preschool Mini Theme — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Healthy Bodies & Wellbeing — Preschool Mini Theme

A two-week planning pack for ages 3–4, supporting body awareness, emotional language and asking for help through play and everyday routines.

Suggested use: Preschool

Dinosaurs & the Mystery Egg — Preschool Mini Theme — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Dinosaurs & the Mystery Egg — Preschool Mini Theme

A two-week planning pack for ages 3–4, using a mystery-egg story to support investigation, imagination and collaborative thinking.

Suggested use: Preschool

Water World — Preschool Theme Pack — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Water World — Preschool Theme Pack

A six-week theme for ages 3–4 exploring water, movement and care for the environment. The source labels this pack Summer 2.

Suggested use: Preschool

Growing & Changing — Preschool Theme Pack — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Growing & Changing — Preschool Theme Pack

A six-week play-based theme about growth, change and independence for ages 3–4. The source labels it Summer 1; select ideas relevant to your Spring provision.

Suggested use: Preschool

Beaches & Coastlines — Preschool Mini Theme — resource cover
All Access · Open preview

Beaches & Coastlines — Preschool Mini Theme

A two-week planning pack for ages 3–4, supporting sensory play, coastal vocabulary, storytelling and care for the environment.

Suggested use: Preschool

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04 / Explore the theme

Displays, events & your setting

Find seasonal lettering and banners, Summer Fair and Sports Day templates, and resources for familiar setting routines.

Summer displays & images

Organising your setting

Summer Self-Registration Display — resource cover
All Access

Summer Self-Registration Display

Name cards, days of the week, signs and an editable banner for a Summer self-registration display.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception

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05 / Explore the theme

Choose by age & setting

These are starting points for selective use with adult support. Match materials, quantities, vocabulary and recording demands to the children rather than expecting everyone to complete a whole pack.

Babies | shared experiences

Begin with responsive looking, listening and interaction with a familiar adult. Follow the baby’s comfort and interests. The dedicated planning packs shown here are for toddlers and preschool children.

Toddlers | 18–36 months

Focus on repeated actions, movement, simple choices and shared talk. The toddler planners support adults in adapting sand, water and construction experiences.

Preschool & Reception

Choose meaningful picture talk, practical maths, making and imaginative play. Adjust materials and prompts to individual interests, communication and experience.

KS1 & mixed-age groups

Select opportunities for explanation, recording, comparison and purposeful writing. Use number ranges and known phonics that fit the children.

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07 / Explore the theme

Making the most of Summer

Keep the theme flexible, inclusive and connected to what children notice. Shared experiences can grow into conversation, investigation, making and imaginative play.

Does every area of provision need a Summer theme?

No. Begin with children’s interests and keep familiar provision available. A relevant picture, object, book or invitation may be enough to extend play; add more only when it supports what children are doing.

How can I include children with different Summer experiences?

Welcome everyday experiences, local places, time at home and imagined stories. Use books, photographs, water and sand play to explore unfamiliar places without assuming every child has visited a beach or been on holiday.

Can I use these ideas without printing everything?

Choose one or two useful prompts, look at a picture together or use an idea to inform the materials you offer. Conversation and practical play can carry the learning without a worksheet or finished product.

How can the sun-safety resources support our routines?

Use the picture cards and posters to support familiar conversations and reminders. Adults should follow current NHS sun-safety advice and their setting’s procedures. The heat-health information posters are for adults to read and apply.

Which calendar editions are shown?

The free June, July and August calendars on this page are the 2027 editions. Check the year and relevant dates before using a calendar for planning.

Which Summer resources are free?

The 31 cards in Free resources use Free Access. Other available individual downloads use All Access. Search for free to show the free cards. Related collections have their own access information.

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