Hot days and long afternoons can make summer feel anything but peaceful—but with a gentle preschool rhythm and a few intentional practices, your preschool summer can be full of connection, creativity, and joy. Whether you're using a seasonal preschool curriculum like The Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 or looking for simple outdoor learning activities for preschoolers, these ideas will help you create a joyful home atmosphere.
1. Limit Outside Errands
Getting little ones in and out of car seats under the summer sun can quickly drain everyone’s energy. Choose just one or two days a week for errands or outside activities, and keep the rest of your days slow and home-based. Predictable rhythms help your children feel safe and settled—an essential part of a summer homeschool routine.
2. Prep Simple, Seasonal Meals
When your spouse or older kids can lend a hand, use that time to prep snack plates or wash produce for the week. Having fruit, veggies, and cheese cubes ready makes it easy to serve nourishing meals—so you can spend more time connecting with your child. The Peaceful Press Cookbook includes kid-friendly recipes from around the world that pair perfectly with The Peaceful Preschool themes. Bonus: setting up a grocery cart for easy reordering can help you skip impulse purchases and keep things simple.
3. Embrace Outdoor Play
Summer is the perfect time to turn your backyard into a nature-based preschool environment. Add a wooden board balanced on bricks for a beam, buckets and bowls for water or mud play, and containers for collecting nature treasures. The Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 is filled with preschool nature activities, seasonal nature walks, and hands-on projects that encourage curiosity and creativity. (Explore our Amazon Summer Playtime list for more ideas!)
4. Follow Their Curiosity
Let your child’s interests lead the way. Are they collecting flowers, watching bees, or pretending to run a lemonade stand? These moments are the perfect gateway into hands-on preschool learning. The Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 includes themed learning units that match the natural flow of the year—so you can build on your child's interests without pressure.
5. Minimize Screen Time
Though screens can seem like an easy break, they often leave little ones agitated. Instead, involve your preschooler in real-life work—watering plants, folding towels, rinsing berries. When you need quiet time, try a screen-free summer idea like trading childcare with a friend or setting up an engaging nature bin outside. Read our post on gentle screen time here!
6. Play Listening Games
Developing strong listening skills is one of the best ways to prepare your child for future academics. Try classic games like "Simon Says," rhythm clapping, or nature sound walks. Families in our Restoration Home Community (opening again in July!) are experiencing more peace at home by integrating these Charlotte Mason preschool-style activities into their days.
Why Use a Seasonal Preschool Curriculum in Summer?
Summer is a wonderful time to slow down, savor nature, and follow your child’s lead. A seasonal preschool curriculum like The Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 gives you the structure of stories, projects, and simple lessons—while still allowing for the play and presence that young children thrive on. It’s family-centered and easy to use with what you already have at home.