35+ Preschool Literacy Ideas that are Perfect for Summer

Inside: This awesome collection of preschool literacy ideas are perfect for summer break. Have fun with water, chalk, sensory, and more while exposing young children to the alphabet!

“I’m looking for ways to keep my preschooler interested in the alphabet while he’s at home on summer break.”

This was a recent email I got from a dear reader. While I have my own fun preschool literacy ideas, I wanted to expand the collection.

And so, I asked my favorite early childhood bloggers. They didn’t disappoint. In fact, I got over 35 of the very best preschool literacy ideas. This collection is amazing!

Best part? No workbooks or flashcards are involved. Nope. These are hands-on, FUN activities with a summer twist. They can be done indoors or outdoors. (Who wants to be indoors on a nice summer day?)

35+ Preschool Literacy Ideas that are Perfect for Summer

Make a name puzzle that can be played indoors or outdoors.

Supplies: Markers and cardstock

Fill a bin with foam letters for alphabet recognition fun.

Foam letters, bin, scoops

Practice writing letters with chalk and water. (Coffee Cups and Crayons)

Chalk, bucket of water, paintbrush

Make your own letter box that can be used all summer long for literacy activities.

Storage drawer cabinet, letters (stickers, foam, or magnetic)

Go on a backyard alphabet hunt. (Teach Mama)

Large sheet of paper, marker, items from the yard

Make some frozen letters for a cool literacy activity on a hot summer day. (The Imagination Tree)

Alphabet ice trays, water, food coloring

Letters on ping pong balls are fun for fishing out of water. (The Imagination Tree)

Ping pong balls, bin filled with water, Sharpie, nets

Practice phonics while playing a letter sound freeze dance. (Meaningful Mama)

Chalk, music

Play an alphabet game with water balloons. (Teaching Mama)

Water balloons, alphabet letters, small objects

Use water balloons to play letter smash. (School Time Snippets)

Water balloons, Sharpie, chalk, water balloon pump

Make your own outdoor chalkboard to practice writing letters. (Rhythms of Play)

Interior wooden door, paint supplies, screws and anchors

Make a giant letter race track and form it outdoors to spell words. (The Adventures of Adam)

Wood, paint

Dig for letters in the dirt. (Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas)

Dirt, letters, shovel

Fill up a tub and wash the letter dishes. (Growing Book by Book)

Container of soapy water, container of fresh water, plastic dishes, Sharpie 

Go on a Little Bo Peep name hunt. (Messy Little Monster)

Squares of green card, black card, white cupcake liners, googly eyes

Fish for letters in an ocean alphabet. (Kitchen Floor Crafts)

Craft foam, Sharpie, pool noodle

Place letters in sudsy water for an alphabet wash. (Little Bins for Little Hands)

Two water bins, sponge, letters

Write your child’s name on cups and use the hose to squirt each cup as the letter is recognized. (Inspiration Laboratories)

Cups, masking tape, Sharpie, table, water hose

Get outside and have fun with magnetic letters on the garage door. (TheOT Toolbox)

Magnetic garage door, magnetic letters

Make paper letter or word kites with wet chalk. (The Preschool Tool Box)

Square piece of paper, chalk, painter’s tape, cup, water

While focusing on the letter O, make octopus hot dogs. (A Mom with a Lesson Plan)

Hot dog, knife

Have a read and draw picnic. (No Time for Flash Cards)

Book, clipboard, blanket, art materials

Get moving while participating in a noisy letter jump. (The Imagination Tree)

Chalk

Write letters on the sidewalk and trace them with rocks. (And Next Comes L)

Chalk, small rocks

Create an outdoor writing center. (Lalymom)

Easel, writing tools, accessories

After reading the book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”, go on a sensory adventure in your backyard. (Play and Learn Everyday)

Little people, various props that go with book

Put letter stamps in your outdoor water table. (How Wee Learn)

Bin with water, stamps, surface to stamp on

Experience letter eruptions outdoors. (Learn Play Imagine)

Cornstarch, baking soda, water, food coloring, foam brushes, Kool Aid, squeeze bottles

Collect pebbles from the beach and make story stones. (Messy Little Monster)

Stones, Modge Podge, foam brush, animal printable

Sprinkle water from a watering can while learning letters in the garden. (The Pleasantest Thing)

Watering can, water

Make a letter recognition activity using popsicle sticks. (How Wee Learn)

Popsicle sticks, marker, clothespins

Get the body moving while playing an alphabet bug swat game. (Modern Preschool)

Fly swatter, chalk

Write letters on real shells for a fun summer alphabet activity. (The Imagination Tree)

Shells, Sharpie, dyed rice

More summer fun for preschoolers: