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

Celebrate the joy of summer with our collection of Summer activities for EYFS and KS1, including outdoor learning ideas, seasonal exploration, printable resources and curriculum planning support.

From water play and gardening to summer fairs, sports day, wildlife investigations and seaside adventures, summer offers endless opportunities for children to learn through play, curiosity and real-life experiences.

Perfect for Nursery, Preschool, Childminders, Reception and Key Stage 1, these ideas help children explore seasonal change, develop independence and enjoy meaningful outdoor learning throughout the summer months.

On this page you will find Free Sample Resources alongside our core Premium Printable Provision for this theme. In addition, you will find some Professional EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite Planning Documents. Explore membership options here.

Core ‘Summer’ Topic EYFS & KS1 Resources | Teaching & Learning Materials

Get ready to be inspired! We hope you enjoy browsing our selection of fun and engaging printables, all created by the Little Owls Resources team—featuring our own original hand-drawn images. Have fun exploring! 😊

Click on the thumbnail images below for further details…

Summer themed ‘STEM & Science’ packs…

Summer themed ‘Role-Play’ packs…

Summer Curriculum Planning Support

(Documents within this section from our ‘EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite’ are available with our Professional Tier Memberships)

Featured Outdoor Continuous Provision

‘Outdoor Area’ Resource Pages…

Sports Day/Kid Olympics Resources…

‘Summer’ Themed Resources Available in our ‘Get Organised’ Sections…

‘Summer’ related themes/topics…

☀️ ‘Summer’ related Theme & Activity Ideas by age (🥚0-3/🐣3-5/🐤5-7 years)

(Note: Ideas by age and stage below are merely a guideline. Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given.)

Possible Theme/Topic Titles

🥚 Ages 0–3 Years (focus on sensory exploration and early language)

- Summer Senses - Splish Splash Fun - Sunshine Days - Cool Water Play - My First Summer

🐣 Ages 3–5 Years (support early learning, imagination, and interaction)

- Signs of Summer - Fun in the Sun - At the Seaside - Summer Picnic Time - Let's Go on Holiday! - Summer Colours

🐤 Ages 5–7 Years (encourage enquiry, creativity and basic project work)

- Summer Explorers - Seashells and Sandcastles - Sunny Science - Our Summer Adventures

🌼 Sensory & Exploration

• Water play with cups and sponges (🥚0–3 years)

• Nature walk to collect summer leaves/flowers (🐣3–5 years)

• Go on a summer scavenger hunt with checklists (🐤5–7 years)

🎨 Creative & Craft

• Handprint sunshine painting (🥚0–3 years)

• Make ice-cream cone crafts with pom-poms and paper (🐣3–5 years)

• Design your own sunglasses or summer postcard (🐤5–7 years)

📚 Language & Literacy

• Sing summer-themed nursery rhymes (🥚0–3 years)

• Read stories like "Maisy Goes on Holiday" or "Spot at the Beach" (🐣3–5 years)

• Write a summer adventure story or journal entry (🐤5–7 years)

🔢 Maths & Problem solving

• Sorting beach balls by colour or size (🥚0–3 years)

• Counting shells or pretend ice creams (🐣3–5 years)

• Set up a “summer shop” with prices and money practice (🐤5–7 years)

🏃 Physical Development

• Crawling through sprinklers or playing in shaded sand pits (🥚0–3 years)

• Obstacle course using summer items like towels and buckets (🐣3–5 years)

• Relay races or water balloon target games (🐤5–7 years)

🌍 Understanding the World

• Explore summer fruits – touch, taste, smell (🥚0–3 years)

• Learn about sun safety and wearing hats/sunscreen (🐣3–5 years)

• Create a weather chart and track temperature or sunshine (🐤5–7 years)

🎭 Imaginative Play

• Play with soft toys on a picnic blanket (🥚0–3 years)

• Role-play a beach or ice cream stand (🐣3–5 years)

• Act out a holiday scenario (packing bags, going to the airport) (🐤5–7 years)

More pages you may find helpful during the Summer months:

• Transitions

• End of Year

• Summer Holiday Activities

• Back to School

Relevant Special Date Calendars

Related Special Dates

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. In the Northern Hemisphere, including the UK, this usually occurs on or around 21st June each year.

☀️ What Happens During the Summer Solstice?

• The Earth’s tilt (about 23.5 degrees) causes one hemisphere to be tilted most directly toward the Sun.

• On the Summer Solstice, the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun.

• This results in:

  • The longest period of daylight

  • The shortest night

  • The Sun appearing at its highest point in the sky at noon

📅 Summer Solstice 2026 (UK)

• Date: Sunday, 21st June 2026

• Daylight hours: Around 16.5 to 17.5 hours, depending on your location within the UK. The exact solstice occurs at 9:24am BST.

🌄 How Is It Celebrated?

🔹 In the UK:

• Stonehenge gatherings: Thousands visit Stonehenge to watch the sunrise align with the Heel Stone. It’s one of the most iconic solstice celebrations in the world.

• Pagan and Druid traditions: Honour the Sun, nature, and the cycle of the seasons.

• Festivals and community events: Sometimes linked with Midsummer celebrations (especially in Northern Europe).

🔹 Spiritually or culturally:

• It symbolises life, fertility, and abundance

• In ancient times, it marked a turning point in the agricultural calendar

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