Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities

Learning doesn’t need to stop during the summer. I have lots of fun Montessori-inspired themes and activities for your child or students. You can do a full unit study, mini unit, or just an activity from one of the themes. If you follow your child’s interests, that’s best.

My summer themes contain lots of fabulous activities from around the blogosphere – both linked to in many of my posts and on my theme-related Pinterest board. I chose some of the themes because they’re directly related to summer and others because they’re high-interest themes (especially helpful for summer learning).

If you want themed activities that aren’t summer-related, be sure to check out my Montessori-inspired unit studies + seasonal and holiday activities with LOTS and LOTS of additional themes! (Note: If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, I have Montessori-Inspired Winter Themes and Activities.)

LOTS of Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities

Updated 10/23/2023

Also see my “Top 10 Summer Themes for Preschoolers.”

Alligators: Living and Non-Living, Plant and Animal Sorting, Montessori Animal Classification,Montessori-Inspired Animal Units, Montessori-Inspired Zoo Animal Unit, Free Alligator Printables and Montessori-Inspired Alligator Activities, Greater Than, Less Than Alligator Math Printables and Activities, Montessori-Inspired Alligator Unit with Free Printables and Activities, Fabulous, Hands-on, Greater Than, Less Than Alligator Math, Free Alligator Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Alligator Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), The Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Kids, Free Reptile Printables and Montessori-Inspired Reptile Activities, Favorite Books for a Reptile Theme, Free Reptiles Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Zoo Animal Unit Study Pinterest Board

Astronomy: Astronaut Unit, Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities, Montessori-Inspired Moon Unit, Montessori-Inspired Solar System Activities, Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Units, Montessori-Inspired Moon Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Montessori-Inspired Phases-of-the-Moon Playdough Tray, Free Moon Printables and Montessori-Inspired Moon Activities, Montessori-Inspired Moon Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}, Free Moon Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Moon Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), The Best Moon Books for Kids, Free Star and Constellation Printables and Montessori-Inspired Constellation Activities, Fun Montessori Hundred Board Extension – Count 100 Glow-in-the-Dark Stars, The Ultimate Star and Constellation Unit, The Best Star and Constellation Books for Kids, Free Constellations Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Create a Glow-in-the-Dark Constellation with Dictation or Writing Tray, Free Constellation Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Astronomy Cards from KHT Montessori, Free Solar System Printables and Montessori-Inspired Solar System Activities, Free Solar System Songs and Educational Videos, Free Y for Year Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), The Best Space Books for Kids {Featuring Solar System Books}, Free Solar System Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori Work with Scale Distances of Planets from the Sun, Montessori Astronomy Printables for Preschool Through Elementary, Free Sun Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Astronomy Unit Study Pinterest Board

Construction: Montessori-Inspired Construction Unit, Free Construction Vehicle Printables and Montessori-Inspired Construction Vehicle Activities, Free Construction Printables and Montessori-Inspired Construction Activities, Free Construction Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Construction Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Construction Vehicle Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori-Inspired Construction Printables for Preschool Through Early Elementary, Roadwork: Road Construction Printable Pack for Hands-on Fun and Learning, Free Road Construction Printables and Montessori-Inspired Road Construction Activities, Favorite Books for a Construction Theme, Construction Unit Study Pinterest Board

Dinosaur: Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Unit, Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Fun with Printables, Water Beads, and Glass Gems, Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Activities Using Dinosaur Replicas, Make Fossils from Montessori at Home!, Free Dinosaur Printables and Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Math Activities, Dinosaur Ice Melt Science Experiment for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Free Dinosaur Printables and Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Language Activities, Free Dinosaur Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Dinosaur Cutting Strips {Montessori-Inspired Instant Download}, I Have, Who Has? Dinosaur Game, Free Oviparous Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Oviparous Animal Activities, Dinosaur Unit Study Pinterest Board

Directionality: Montessori-Inspired Compass Rose Activities and Outdoor Compass Walks

Eric Carle: Montessori-Inspired Eric Carle Activities

Frog: Montessori-Inspired Frog Activities for Leap Year or Anytime, Montessori Frog Life Cycle Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Free Frog Printables and Montessori-Inspired Frog Math Activities, Free Frog Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Frog Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), “5 Green and Speckled Frogs” with Props and Free Printables, Lots of Learning and Fun with Frogs Sensory Bin, Free Oviparous Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Oviparous Animal Activities, Free Amphibian Printables and Montessori-Inspired Amphibian Activities, Free Amphibian Songs and Educational Videos, Free Frog and Toad Songs and Educational Videos, Favorite Books for an Amphibian Theme, Free Amphibians Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Kids’ Frog and Leap Year Activities Pinterest Board

Fruit: Montessori-Inspired Fruit Unit, Montessori-Inspired Food Art, Montessori-Inspired Fruit Matching and Tasting for Toddlers, Healthy, Yummy, Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins, Kids’ Kitchen: Berry Yummy and Healthy Protein-Rich Popsicles, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities, Free Fruit Rainbow Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Fruit and Vegetable Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fruit and Vegetable Activities, Free Fruit and Vegetable Songs and Educational Videos, Free Fruit and Vegetable Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board

Gardening/Botany: Activity of the Week – Friendship Flower Activities, Montessori-Inspired Gardening Unit, Montessori-Inspired Flower Activities, Free Flower Printables and Montessori-Inspired Flower Math Activities, Shoots and Sprouts Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom, Montessori Flower Identification and Arranging for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Montessori Nature Tray Sorting and Counting for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Nature Walk and Nature Cutting Tray for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Montessori Nature Tray with Magnification Work and Flower Arranging, Spring Book Lists for Preschool and Elementary Kids: Garden Adventures Around the World, Montessori Nature Tray with Vocabulary – Parts of the Plant, Flower Cutting with Great-Grandma {Montessori on the Go}, How to Help Children Experience Nature and Growing Plants Outdoors without a Garden, How to: Montessori Indoor- or Small-Space Gardening in a DIY Sensory Table, Encouraging Kindness with Gardening Activities and the Kindness Elves, Life Cycle of a Bean Plant and Seed Planting Activities, Montessori-Inspired Flower Activities with Spielgaben, Free Tree Printables and Montessori-Inspired Tree Activities, Free Montessori Botany Materials for a Gardening Unit, Family Fun with Small-Space Gardening in a Vertical Planter, Free Seasons of an Apple Tree Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}, Free Tree Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Gardening/Botany Unit Study Pinterest Board

Golf: Montessori-Inspired Fun with Golf Balls and Ping Pong Balls, Activities with Marbles and Golf Tees from Montessori at Home!, Patriotic Golf Tee Practical Life and Math Activity, Awesome DIY Water Table with Red, White, and Blue Activities, Free Summer Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Summer {Free Printables}, Free Golf Printables and Montessori-Inspired Golf Activities, Free Golfer Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Golf Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), DIY PhonicsWater Table with Golf Ball Movable Alphabet, How to Teach Your Kids Manners and Good Character through Golf, Sports Unit Study Pinterest Board

Little House on the Prairie: Little House on the Prairie Unit Study, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Montessori Washboard Activity, Free Pioneer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pioneer Activities, Frontier Life Unit Study Pinterest Board

Olympic (during a year with Summer Olympics): Olympic: Montessori-Inspired Olympic Opening Ceremony Activities, Montessori-Inspired Olympic Math Activities, Montessori-Inspired Olympic Unit, Montessori-Inspired Activities for Winter or Summer Olympics, Free Respect Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}, Free Excellence Songs and Resources {Character Education}, Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}, What Are the Olympic and Paralympic Values?, Ultimate Guide to Olympic Values, Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}, Free Courage Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}, Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources}, Free Character Education Resources about Olympic and Paralympic Values, Free Summer Sports Printables and Montessori-Inspired Summer Sports Activities, Montessori-Inspired Activities for Winter or Summer Olympics, Free R for Run Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Summer Sports Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Olympic Unit Study Pinterest Board

Patriotic: Montessori-Inspired Patriotic Unit, Montessori-Inspired Fun with Golf Balls and Ping Pong Balls, Montessori-Inspired Memorial Day Activities, Montessori-Inspired 4th of July Activities, Patriotic Practical Life and Math Activities, Free American Patriotic Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Awesome DIY Water Table with Red, White, and Blue Activities, Kids’ Patriotic Activities (U.S.) Pinterest Board

Pets: Montessori Care of Pets, Montessori-Inspired Pet Activities, Talking with Children about Death: Creating an “I Remember” Book, Best Children’s Books about the Death of a Pet, Pets Unit Study Pinterest Board

Photography: Montessori-Inspired Photography for Kids, Go on a Smile Hunt with Your Child, Photography for Kids Pinterest Board

Pirate: Montessori-Inspired Pirate Unit, Pirate Unit Study Pinterest Board

Rainbow: Montessori-Inspired Rainbow Activities, Montessori Color Mixing Activities – Rainbows of Color, Water-Bead Sensory Bottles for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, Easter Egg Rainbow Practical Life and Sensorial Activity, Montessori-Inspired Rainbow Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}, Free Rainbow Printables and Montessori-Inspired Rainbow Activities, Montessori-Inspired Mess-Free Finger Painting and Color Mixing, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities, Free Fruit Rainbow Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Rainbow Unit Study Pinterest Board

Recycling: Free 3-Part Recycle Cards, Montessori-Inspired Lorax Activities, Free Recycling Printables and Montessori-Inspired Recycling Activities, Free Recycling Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Recycling Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Printables and Activities for a Montessori-Inspired Earth Day Unit, Free Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Phonics Download), Free Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Kids’ Earth Day Every Day Pinterest Board

Rocks and Minerals: Simple Excavation Sensory Tubs, Rocks and Minerals Unit Study, Story Stones – Farm Animal Families Treasure Basket, Free Rocks and Minerals Printables and Montessori-Inspired Rocks and Minerals Activities, Free Rock and Quartzite Do-a-Dot Phonics Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Rocks and Minerals Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Rocks and Minerals Songs and Educational Videos, The Best Rock and Mineral Books for Kids, Free Geology Lessons (20 Pages from KHT Montessori, Rocks and Minerals/Geology Unit Study Pinterest Board

Safety: Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities, Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Tubs, Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities, Free Ambulance Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ambulance Activities, Montessori-Friendly Community Helper Resources, Montessori-Inspired Activities with Community Helper Figures and Free Printables, Phone Number Bracelet: Focus on Child Safety in a Cute and Sweet Way, “Look for the Helpers” Mister Rogers Word Art Freebie, Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}, Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}, Free Water Safety Songs for Kids, Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Unit with Free Printables and Activities, Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos, The Best Fire Safety Books for Kids, Free Fire Truck Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Firefighter Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), How to Teach Children Fire Safety in a Non-Scary Way , Family Safety and Emergency Preparation Pinterest Board

Shark: Free Shark Printables and Montessori-Inspired Shark Activities, Shark Water-Bead Number or Letter Sensory Bin, The Ultimate Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit, Non-Scary and Montessori-Friendly Resources for a Shark Tooth Dig, The Best Ocean Books for Kids, How to Make a Simple Ocean Animal Water Table or Sensory Bin Featuring Sharks, Free Fish Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fish Activities, Favorite Books for a Fish Theme, Free Fish Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Fish Songs and Educational Videos, Free Shark Songs and Educational Videos, Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board

Teddy Bear: Montessori-Inspired Teddy Bear Activities, How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Teddy Bear Picnic, Free Teddy Bear Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Kids’ Teddy Bear Activities Pinterest Board

Vegetable: Montessori-Inspired Vegetable Unit, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Fruit and Vegetable Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fruit and Vegetable Activities, Free Vegetables Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Fruit and Vegetable Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board

Volcanoes and Earthquakes: Free Volcano & Earthquake Printables and Montessori-Inspired Volcano & Earthquake Activities, Free Volcano and Earthquake Songs and Educational Videos, Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}, Free Volcano Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Volcano Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Rocks and Minerals/Geology Unit Study Pinterest Board

World Travel: Resources for a World Travel Unit Study, Continent Map Work, DIY Pin Maps, Montessori Continent Boxes, DIY Cosmic Nesting Boxes, Map Towers, a nd “Me on the Map” Activities, Montessori-Inspired State Box – Colorado,Laura Ingalls Wilder and Montessori Washboard Activity (South Dakota and Booking Across the USA Tour), Montessori-Inspired Map Activities Using Pin It! Maps, Earth Exploration Activities from Montessori By Mom, Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Global Adventure (with links to all my Little Passports activity posts), Easy-to-Prepare Animals of the Continents Activity, The Ultimate Guide to Montessori Geography Activities for Preschoolers, Creative Ideas for Montessori Continent Boxes from Around the World, Extending Montessori Animals of the Continents Work, Montessori Animals and Plants of the Continents Circles from the Nature Printables library, Montessori Continents and Oceans Printables for Preschool Through Early Elementary, Fun with Montessori-Inspired World Travel Activities and Games , Free Travel Printables and Montessori-Inspired Travel Activities , Free Jet Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), The Best Transportation and Travel Books for Kids, Free Family Travel Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori-Inspired Global Adventure Pinterest Board (introductory geography resources and 7-continents activities) *South America Educational Resources *Asia Educational Resources *Europe Educational Resources *Africa Educational Resources *Australia Educational Resources *North America Educational Resources *Antarctica Educational Resources, Kids’ Geography Activities Pinterest Board

Unit Studies, Holidays, and Calendar Observances Organized by Monthly Themes

June Themed Activities for Kids

July Themed Activities for Kids

August Themed Activities for Kids

Holiday-Themed Posts for Summer

Father’s Day: Montessori-Inspired Father’s Day, Talking with Children about Death: Creating an “I Remember” Book (with free printables for children who’ve had a special male relative die and for children from military families and other families separated by distance), Montessori-Inspired Father’s Day (2012), Handprint Keepsake for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Grandparents Day, 30+ Breakfasts Kids Can Make for Mothers and Fathers, Simple and Sweet Craft Stick Photo Frame Gift Kids Can Make, Free Father’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, 20+ Free Father’s Day Questionnaires, Baby Footprint Keepsake for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Grandparents Day {Free Editable Poem Printable}, Father’s Day Ideas Pinterest Board

Juneteenth: Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School, Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Teachers, Free Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos, Free Black History Printables and Montessori-Inspired Black History Activities, Favorite Black History Books for Kids, Free Black Family Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Black History Songs and Educational Videos for Kids, Multicultural Education Pinterest Board

4th of July: Child-Led Patriotism, Montessori-Inspired Fun with Golf Balls and Ping Pong Balls,Montessori-Inspired Patriotic Unit, Montessori-Inspired 4th of July Activities, Patriotic Practical Life and Math Activities, Free American Patriotic Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Awesome DIY Water Table with Red, White, and Blue Activities, Kids’ Patriotic Activities (U.S.) Pinterest Board

Back to School: Montessori-Inspired Kindergarten Readiness Activities, Starting a Montessori Playgroup or Montessori Homeschool Co-op, Start the School Year with a Celebration, 30+ Free Printables for First Day of School Photos, How to Manage Interruptions in Your Montessori Classroom or Homeschool, Montessori-Inspired Name Recognition Activities for Preschoolers, 100+ Back-to-School Celebration Ideas, Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, “All About Me” Free Printables and Activities for Back to School, Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety , Sweet Kissing Hand Craft with Handprint and Poem , Free Raccoon Printables and Montessori-Inspired Raccoon Activities {Kissing Hand Unit}, First Day of Montessori Photos {Free Printables – Instant Downloads}, How to Have a Healthy and Courteous First-Day-of-School Tea Party, Fun Shoe and Coat Tricks for Toddler and Preschooler Independence, How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Back-to-School Tea Party, Free Songs about Obeying the Rules {Character Education Resources}, Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}, How to Teach Toddlers and Preschoolers to Take Turns and Work Together, The Best Children’s Books about Taking Turns and Sharing, How I Like to Use the Ultimate Montessori Planner for Multiple Ages, Free Brain and Growth Mindset Printables and Montessori-Inspired Brain Activities, Grace and Courtesy for a New School Year, Grace and Courtesy Games at Home or School, The Golden Rule for Back to School, Best Inspirational Back-to-School Quotes, Free Me on the Map Printables and Montessori-Inspired Me on the Map Activities, Free Friendship Printables and Montessori-Inspired Friendship Activities, Fabulous First-Day-of-School and Back-to-School Free Printables and Activities, Back to School Pinterest Board

Grandparents Day (First Sunday of September after Labor Day): (First Sunday of September after Labor Day): Celebrating Grandmotherhood, the World’s Best Job, Handprint Keepsake for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Grandparents Day, Simple and Sweet Craft Stick Photo Frame Gift Kids Can Make, Best Grandparent Quotes (Including Grandmother and Grandfather Quotes), Free Grandparent Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Baby Footprint Keepsake for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Grandparents Day {Free Editable Poem Printable}, Grandparents Day Ideas Pinterest Board

Have fun with learning this summer! 🙂

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Comments

Carolyn Lucento says

May 22, 2016 at 9:43 am

These are fantastic! Makes summer even more fun and the activities are chock full of hands-on learning with family and friends.

- Deb Chitwood says
  
  June 3, 2016 at 4:57 pm
  
  Thanks, Carolyn! I always loved finding themed hands-on activities. 🙂 Deb

Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities

LOTS of Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities

Unit Studies, Holidays, and Calendar Observances Organized by Monthly Themes

Holiday-Themed Posts for Summer

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LOTS of Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities

Unit Studies, Holidays, and Calendar Observances Organized by Monthly Themes

Holiday-Themed Posts for Summer

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