8 Fun Summer Math Activities for Preschoolers

Any parent knows that keeping kids entertained during the summer can be challenging. However, engaging kids in summer learning activities is important to prevent the "summer slide." Studies have shown that kids who don't participate in educational activities during the summer can lose up to two months of progress in reading and math. In addition, summer learning activities can help kids develop important social and emotional skills. This is where summer math activities come in!

Summer math activities can help kids stay sharp even during the school break. These activities can also be a lot of fun for kids and help them to develop essential skills. Here are eight excellent summer math activities for preschoolers:

Go on a shape scavenger hunt

One great way to encourage your preschooler's develop math skills is to go on a shapes scavenger hunt together. You can do this anywhere - in your house, backyard, or even on a walk around the block. As you look for shapes, help your child identify them and discuss their attributes.

For example, you might point out that a stop sign is octagonal or that a cloud is shaped like a puff. Once you've found a variety of shapes, see if your child can sort them into groups. This activity is not only fun, but it's also a great way to introduce basic concepts of geometry.

Make a homemade sundial

This activity is a great way to teach your child about telling time. To make your sundial, start by finding a sunny spot in your yard. Then, use a stick or a dowel to mark the center of the sundial in the ground. Next, find a large stone or rock and place it next to the stick. The shadow cast by the stick will show you what time it is!

Play hopscotch

Hopscotch is a classic game that's also great for practicing math skills. Start by drawing a hopscotch board on the ground with chalk to play. The board can be as simple or as complex as you like. Just be sure to make the squares big enough for your child to hop in. Once the board is drawn, have your child throw a stone or beanbag into the first square. Then, she must hop over that square and into the next one.

As she hops, she must recite a math fact such as "2+2=4" or "5-3=2." If she gets the answer right, she can continue hopping. If she gets it wrong, she must start over again from the beginning. This activity is great for practicing basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.

Go on a nature walk

One simple way to incorporate math into your child's summer activities is to go on a nature walk together and collect items along the way. You can collect leaves, berries, rocks, or anything else you find! As you're collecting, talk to your child about quantity and measurement.

For example, ask "How many rocks did you find?" or "Which leaf is bigger - this one or that one?" This activity is also an excellent opportunity to introduce basic concepts of weight and volume. When you get home, compare the items you collected using a ruler or a set of bathroom scales.

Play "I Spy"

"I Spy" is a classic game that's also great for practicing math skills. To play, one player (the spy) picks an object and says "I spy with my little eye something that is..." giving a clue about the object's color, size, or shape. The other players then take turns guessing what the object is.

Try using numbers as clues to make the game more challenging (and math-themed!). For example, you might say, "I spy with my little eye something that is two times as big as that car." This activity is great for practicing concepts of measurement and multiplication.

Make homemade pizzas

Making pizzas together is a great way to practice counting, fractions, and measurement. Start by having your child help you measure out the ingredients for the dough. Then, let her help you knead it and roll it out. Once the dough is ready, let her help you top the pizza with sauce and cheese.

Encourage her to count out exactly eight slices of pepperoni or three tablespoons of grated cheese. As you're cooking the pizzas, talk to your child about concepts of heat and measurement. For example, ask, "How hot is the oven right now? 400 degrees? 450 degrees?" This activity is also a great opportunity to teach your child about following directions.

Do some yard work together

Yard work is a great way to get outside and enjoy the summer weather while also practicing math skills. Start by having your child help you measure the area that you'll be working on. Then, help her make an estimate of how long it will take to complete the task.

As you're working, talk to your child about your tools and how they work. For example, explain how a wheelbarrow helps you move heavy objects or how a rake can help gather leaves. This activity is also a great opportunity to talk about basic concepts of geometry, such as length, width, and area.

Plant a garden together

Gardening is a great way to teach your child about growth, measurement, and estimation. Start by helping your child measure the area where you'll plant your garden. Then, let her help you estimate how many seeds or plants you'll need. As you're planting, talk to your child about the concept of time and how long it takes for plants to grow.

Encourage her to predict how tall the plants will be in a week, a month, or even a year. This activity is also an excellent opportunity to talk about the basic needs of plants, such as sun, water, and soil.

With a little creativity, you can find lots of ways to incorporate math into your child's summer activities!

Our 'Nifty Numbers' Math Program at Mrs. Myers' Learning Lab encompasses fun, interactive techniques through our small-group classes. All of our certified teachers utilize a multi-sensory approach that keeps students actively engaged throughout each 60 minute class.

Each small group class has no more than seven children, which is optimal for individual attention and guidance from our teachers. Learn more about us by visiting our website.