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?)

Water Fun

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

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

Alphabet Wash: Place letters in sudsy water for an alphabet wash. (Moments Enriched)

Two water bins, sponge, letters

Letter Squirting: 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

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

Bin with water, stamps, surface to stamp on

Letter Sprinkling: Sprinkle water from a watering can while learning letters. (Toddler Approved)

Watering can, water, chalk

Chalk Writing

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

Chalk, bucket of water, paintbrush

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

Interior wooden door, paint supplies, screws and anchors

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

Chalk, small rocks

Alphabet Hunts

Alphabet Hunt: Go on a backyard alphabet hunt. (Teach Mama)

Large sheet of paper, marker, items from the yard

Backyard ABC Hunt: Hide all the letters of the alphabet in the backyard and go find them. (Fun Learning for Kids)

Names

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

Supplies: Markers and cardstock

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

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

Alphabet Bins and Boxes

Letter Bin: Fill a bin with foam letters for alphabet recognition fun.

Foam letters, bin, scoops

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

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

Alphabet Fishing

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

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

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

Craft foam, Sharpie, pool noodle

Alphabet Large Motor

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

Chalk, music

Water Balloon Fun: Play an alphabet game with water balloons. (Teaching Mama)

Water balloons, alphabet letters, small objects

Water Balloon Smash: Use water balloons to play letter smash. (School Time Snippets)

Water balloons, Sharpie, chalk, water balloon pump

Alphabet Race Track: Make a giant letter race track and to spell words. (Fantastic Fun and Learning)

Wood, paint

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

Dirt, letters, shovel

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

Chalk

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

Fly swatter, chalk

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

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

Alphabet Science

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

Alphabet ice trays, water, food coloring

Erupting Letters: Experience letter eruptions outdoors. (Learn Play Imagine)

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

More Literacy Fun

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

Magnetic garage door, magnetic letters

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

Hot dog, knife

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

Book, clipboard, blanket, art materials

Writing Center: Create an outdoor writing center. (Lalymom)

Easel, writing tools, accessories

Sensory Fun: 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

Popsicle Stick Letters: Make a letter recognition activity using popsicle sticks. (How Wee Learn)

Popsicle sticks, marker, clothespins

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

Shells, Sharpie, dyed rice

More summer fun for preschoolers:

Summer Fine Motor Activities

Fun Summer Activities and Printables

25+ Summer Printables

35+ Toddler Summer Activities

46 Fun Preschool Summer Activities

Summer Activity Plans

I’ve teamed up with other early childhood teachers and homeschoolers to put together these hands-on summer activities for toddlers and preschoolers!

Easy to follow plans that include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.

For more information, click on the graphics below: