Summertime means more time spent out in the sun. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend less time reading? Why not pull up a blanket on the grass and check out one of these wonderful summer stories for kids to have fun while reading together. These summer stories are fun for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd graders too. So pick out your favorite summer books for preschoolers and get reading!
Summer stories for kids
It may not “technically” be the summer yet (the first day of summer is June 20th), but school is out so it is summer time in my books! That means lazy days sipping lemonade on the porch, swimming at the pool or beach, lots of swinging in the backyard, blowing super big bubbles, riding bikes to the Dairy Queen, summer vacation, lots of grilling, late nights looking at the stars or camping at our favorite national park, and so much more! I always look forward to a slower pace with lots of free time to make memories with my kids and enjoy the warm weather. I also love gardening, so I love planning, planting, and watching my garden grow. And the older I get, the more I am enjoying growing flowers – enjoying their beauty.
But summer isn’t all relaxing days, kids get bored and are looking for things to do. And kids need to stay engaged and learning to avoid summer learning loss. One of my favorite ways to keeps kids engaged and their minds sharps is by continuing to read lots of great books. Here are some must read summer stories for kids. So cuddle up in your tree house, in a lounge by the pool, under an umbrella at he beach, or in a comfy sofa – we’ve got some great summer books for kids picked out for your family. These summer books for preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 students are a great way to keep kids reading, exploring the word, and forming a solid foundation for future success.
Summer books for preschoolers
These fun summer picture books celebrate all things summer from the beach, swimmign in the pool, playing in the sand, lazy days at hte park, exploring nature, and more!
Let It Shine was written and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. The simple rhyming text and colorful illustrations introduce young kids to the fun traditions of summer, and evoke happy memories for older readers.
I See Summer was written by Charles Ghigna and illustrated by Ag Jatkowska. This introduction to the sights of summer encourages young readers to see all the signs of summer around them through simple and predictable text.
And Then Comes Summer was written by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim. This delightful tale of the sights, sounds and smells of summer follows a “when this, then that” pattern that carries the reader through the start of summertime.
Summer was written by Alice Low and illustrated by Roy McKie. A young boy, a young girl and their dog experience the joys of summer in this rhyming story from Dr. Seuss Beginner Books.
Summertime in the Big Woods was written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Renee Graef. Introduce kids to summer days on the prairie in this picture book adaptation of The Little House on the Prairie books. The illustrations are beautiful and young readers will enjoy meeting the Ingalls family.
Summer Days and Nights was written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee. Join a little girl as she heads out on a day (and night) full of summer adventures.
Mama, Is It Summer Yet? was written and illustrated by Nikki McClure. As a young boy questions is mother about the start of summer, she shows him some of the signs that summer is right around the corner.
Marshmallow Kisses was written by Linda Crotta Brennan and illustrated by Mari Takabayashi. Enjoy all of the wonderful sensory experiences of a summer day, from sun up to sun down, in this simple exploration of the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of summer.
Picture books about summer
Once you’ve picked out the ones you like from that list of summer books for kids, try these summer stories for preschoolers.
The Night Before Summer Vacation was written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Julie Durrell. In this fun twist on Clement Moore’s classic poem, a little girl and her family prepare for a fun filled vacation.
The Night Before Summer Camp was written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Mindy Pierce. In another twist on Clement Moore’s holiday poem, a little boy named Rick is worried about going to summer camp. He soon discovers all the fun the summer fun to be had at camp.
Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems was written by Kristine O’Connell George and illustrated by Kate Kiesler. This collection of poems celebrates all of the fun experiences of a family camping trip, paired with beautiful illustrations.
Books about Yummy Summer Treats
Nothing says summer like ice cream! Grab these summer stories for kindergarten and celebrate this yummy summer treat!
Ice Cream Summer was written and illustrated by Peter Sis. When a little boy named Joe writes a letter to his grandfather about his summer activities, he tells him all about what he is doing and learning, while the illustrations show the reader that all of his activities incorporate his favorite frozen summer treat.
Should I Share My Ice Cream? was written and illustrated by Mo Willems. In this summery selection from his Elephant & Piggie series, Gerald must decide whether to share his delicious ice cream cone with his friend Piggie. But will he be able to decide before the warm weather makes his treat melt?
The Watermelon Seed was written by Greg Pizzoli. Celebrate summer fruit with this watermelon loving crocodile who worries about what will happen when he swallows a seed.
Books about Summer Nights
It’s a Firefly Night was written by Dianne Ochiltree and illustrated by Betsy Snyder. On a warm summer night, a little girl and her dad go out in the yard to catch lightning bugs. The vivid illustrations are paired with a lovely lilting rhyming text.
Good Night Summer was written by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper and illustrated by Katherine Blackmore. This colorful board book showcases all of the fun parts of summer, from sun up to sun down. This book is a great way to wind down for bed after a long day of playing in the sun.
Beach Books for Preschoolers
Get ready for an upcoming trip or remember your days on the sandy shores with these beach books for kids.
It’s a Seashell Day was written by Dianne Ochiltree and illustrated by Elliot Kreloff. Join a young boy and his mother as they go on a seashell hunting day on the beach, and learn about all kinds of shells.
Bats at the Beach was written and illustrated by Brian Lies. When night falls, it’s time for the bats to make their way to the beach. Follow a group of bats as they enjoy typical beach day fun in the moonlight.
Beach House was written by Deanna Caswell and illustrated by Amy June Bates. Join the family in this story as they fill their vacation with a variety of beach activities and create lasting family memories.
Try some of these sand learning activities to bring the beach home to you!
Books for a Hot Day!
After you’ve read the children’s beach books it’s time to chat about how HOT summer can get with these engaginb books for summer.
One Hot Summer Day was written and illustrated by Nina Crews. Join a young girl as she spends one hot day playing in the city. From playing in shadows and drawing with chalk to eating popsicles and dancing in the rain, she fills her day with summer fun.
Maisy Makes Lemonade was written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins. On a hot day, Maisy and Eddie decide to work together to make some delicious lemonade. The simple text and vivid illustrations make it a great story for very young readers.
Wet Dog! was written by Elise Broach and illustrated by David Catrow. In this vibrantly illustrated story, a very hot dog tries to find some relief from the hot temperatures. Kids will love watching the adorable dog wreak havoc on everyone around him.
Summer stories
First up are summer board books for toddlers, preschoolers, babies, and kindergartners!
Baby Loves Summer was written and illustrated by Karen Katz. This colorful book introduces young ones to the signs and symbols of summer as they help Baby explore by lifting the sturdy flaps.
Mouse’s First Summer was written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan. This beautifully illustrated tale of two mice enjoying a summer day is chock full of descriptive language that will make you yearn for summer days.
Summer Activities for Kids
- EASY Pool Noodle Race Track for Kids, 30 Homemade Bird Feeders to make, EPIC Water Balloon Painting Activities
- Fun-to-Make DIY Foosball Table, Easy Marshmallow Shooter, 100 Exciting Year-Round Science Experiments for Kids
- Vibrant Sidewalk Chalk Paint, 25+ Water Balloon Games, Outrageously fun Vinegar and Baking Soda Rocket
- Epic Squirt Gun Painting, Grass Head Summer Activity for Kids, Easy Sand Volcano with NO clean-up, and summer fun worksheets
- Strawberry Scented Jello Playdough Recipe, Snake Bubbles, Beautiful Capillary Action Experiment
- 75+ Free Printable Scavenger Hunts for Kids, 100 Amazing Food Science Experiments, cool Puffy Paint Recipes
- Simple and FUN Aluminum Foil Art, epic Mentos and Soda Experiment, Lemon Volcano is a fun Summer Experiment
- How to Make a Lava Lamp – it’s super EASY! and How to Make a Simple Newton’s Cradle Science Experiment
- Kids will no nuts over this simple Pop Rock Experiment, EASY Stained Glass Pasta Art for Kids, and 2 ingredient slime
- Scented Watermelon Playdough Recipe, ocean slime, Pretty Flower Mason Jar Lid Crafts
- Blow GIANT bubbles Homemade Bubble Solution, fun water balloon experiment, Free Zoo Scavenger Hunt
- Mind Blowing Color Changing Playdough, Bleeding Tissue Paper Fireworks Craft or shaving cream fireworks
- Check out June Crafts and June Activities for Kids, July Crafts and July Activities for kids, August Crafts and August Activities for kids, and don’t miss 107+ things to do in the summer
Summer Activities
Looking for more outdoor activities for kids and things to do in the summer? Your toddler, preschool, pre k, kindergarten, and elementary age kids will love these fun ideas to keep them busy all summer long:
- Make a Marshmallow Shooters – go over 30 feet or PVC Marshmallow Blasters, whip up some edible marshmallow playdough, and then add smores free camping math worksheets or camping math activities for preschoolers, finally play some no-prep campfire games
- Play with homemade color changing slime, Sand Slime, or watermelon slime, Kool Aid Playdough , vibrant Sidewalk Chalk Paint for Kids, yummy sandcastle ice cream, or make your own aqua magic sand
- Try some summer projects: balloon hovercraft, DIY scribble bot, foosball summer activity for kids, easy pool noodle race track, flow in the dark fairy jar, GIANT bubbles with this Homemade Bubble Solution, FUN Bubble Painting, must try Lego Zipline, Homemade Chalk Recipe, yummy How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag, I Spy DIY Bottles, epic Squirt Gun Painting, must try rocket experiment, or Water Balloon Games for Kids
- Don’t miss summer science projects: Water Balloon Experiment exploring density, sunscreen experiment for kids, colorful lemon volcano experiment, Exploding Watermelon, Vinegar and Baking Soda Rocket , amazing fireworks in a jar experiment, balloon rocket experiment for preschool, melting sandcastle summer experiment, and lots more summer science experiments
- Get crafty with EASY Stained Glass Pasta Art , Amazing Bubble Painting, Flower Mason Jar Lid Craft, EASY Butterfly Craft for Kids, Silly Bandaid Art Craft for kids, bleeding tissue Paper Fireworks Craft, Tin Foil Art Project, over 100 animal crafts, salt fireworks 4th of July crafts, or First Day of Summer Craft
- Plan a Beach Theme week with Free Beach Worksheets, summer density tower, easy sand volcano, sandcastle letter tracing
- 75+ FUN Scavenger Hunts for Kids including our popular Zoo Scavenger Hunt
- Nothing says summer like Ice Cream! Try our edible ice cream Playdough, make Playdough Patterns, super cool ice cream volcano, puffy paint ice cream
- Grab a free printable like our animal I Spy Printables, free life cycle of a frog worksheet, fun summer color by number, summer word search printables, free preschool coloring pages pdf, or math summer worksheets for kindergarten
- 25+ Water Balloon Games for Kids, water Balloon Painting Activity, Roll & Paint Balloon Painting, Balloon Paint Art Project, Music Activity for Kids, Epic Ideas for Water Balloon Painting
- Find more summer bucket list ideas including: printable summer bucket list BINGO, Ice Cream summer bucket list activities, and over 100 summer activities for kids,
Book recommendations for Kids
- Tons of books for preschoolers and fun world book day activities
- Must Read Kindergarten Reading Books pdf free, free Kindergarten Reading Level Book List, Favorite Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten
- 100 Books for 1st Graders to Read by Themselves – Level 1 Reading Books pdf free, Fun-to-Read First Grade Picture Books, First Grade Read Aloud Chapter Books
- Chapter Books for 1st Graders, 2nd Graders, and 3rd Graders – favorite series to keep kids reading!
- Best Read Aloud Chapter Books for 2nd Grade, Check out these 2nd Grade Reading Books pdf free
- Handy Grade 3 Reading Books pdf FREE
- Free 4th Grade Reading List pdf
- Printable Grade 5 Reading books pdf
- Grade 7 Reading Books
- List of great 12th Grade Books
- Exciting Historical Fiction Books for Kids and 25 Exciting Historical Fiction Books for 4th Graders
- Alphabet Booksfor Children, Transportation Books for Kids, Space Books for Kids that are out-of-this-world, Funny Picture Books for kids of all ages, Sweet Picture Books about Family, Fun Zoo Books for Kids, best dinosaur books for kids, 50+ Books about community helpers, Beautiful Animal Books for Preschoolers, Preschool Color Books
- Creepy, Crawly Bug Books for Preschool kids, Rhyming Books for Kindergarten, fun-to read fall books for kids, and Preschool emotion booksfor learning to understand feelings
- See all of our popular kids books to read and making sense of reading levels!
Reading Comprehension
- Handy, Reading Comprehension bookmarks (any book: fiction or non fiction)
- Free Book Report Template for elementary age students or Book Report Worksheets for elementary age kids
- Simple, one page Book Report Templates to ensure kids are understanding the main charaters, setting, and idea of what they are reading
- Super cute Pizza Book Report Idea with Free printable template or sandwich book report freebie
- Free 3rd Grade Book Report template choices
- 26 more clever Book Report Ideas, Ralph Waldo Poetry Worksheets
- See if kids remember the moral of the story with these FREE Aesop Fables Worksheets pdf
- This Library Scavenger Hunt helps kids learn to navigate a library or this Reading Scavenger Hunt
- Bookshelf Reading Log printable – to help encourage kids to read!
- How to teach elementary age students to write a Ralph Waldo Poetry Worksheets
- Free Parts of a Book Worksheet or these parts of a book for kids coloring pages that use playdough, and book reading goals printables
- Plus, grab these super cute, free printable Star Wars bookmarks for kids!
Leave a Reply