Here are our top picks for August Themes and Activities for Kids…

You can use the table of content for easy reference to these fun summer activities for kids that we’ve divided into different August Themes for Kids.

August Activities for Kids

August can be such a fun time to do things with kids as you wrap up the last full month of summer, We’ve included several fun themes that just shout summer fun together with your child.

Here is your chance to be sure you’ve checked everything off your Summer Bucket List.

Want more summer themes? Try these July Activities for Kids!

Take a moment this August to truly celebrate summer and all the special things you get to do as a kid.

You can head outdoors to enjoy these summer ideas:

• Go on a nature hike
• Have a picnic in the park or at the beach.
• Visit a local zoo, aquarium, or museum.
• Go swimming, boating, or fishing.
• Have a barbecue or cookout.
• Play outdoor games, such as tag, hide-and-seek, or frisbee.
• Go camping or stargazing.

You can also just spend time indoors together when you:

• Make a homemade ice cream sundae bar.
• Have a movie marathon.
• Have a talent show or karaoke contest.
• Read a book together.
• Play board games or card games.
• Do arts and crafts projects.
• Have a dance party.

This month’s themes are End of Summer, Ice Cream, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, India, Outdoor Activities, First Day of School and more.

End of Summer Activities

Here are our favorite summer activities for kids, including a few keepsake ideas for their summer adventures.

• Summer Scrapbook Activity
• Ways to Remember Summer Vacation
• Ways to Make Summer Memories Together
• Summer Virtual Field Trips for Kids
• Summer Science Experiments
• Music Ideas for Summer Fun
• Top 10 Everyday Objects for Summer Learning
• Top 15 Summer Toys to Keep Kids Thinking
• Cook Around the World with Books

Ice Cream Activities

One of my favorite things to do during the end of summer is to make ice cream with the kids. Here are a few fun ice cream activities, books and recipes to explore together.

• Ice Cream Math Ideas
• Host an Ice Cream Playdate
• Virtual Ice Cream Field Trip
• Ice Cream Books for Kids
• Make Your Own Ice Cream

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities

One fun little theme is the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to explore with your child. It’s a fun way to practice their letters and even kick off a school year as you celebrate coconut trees and more. Be sure to learn the song too!

• Sidewalk Chalk Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ABC Game
• 35+ Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities
• Letter Stamping Craft for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
• Coconut Bread Recipe for Kids
• Coconut Raspberry Muffins

Explore India

One holiday that is celebrated in August is India’s Independence day. India was under British rule for about 200 years. India won it’s freedom on August 15, 1947. Here are a few ways to learn more about India and celebrate this special day with your child.

• Children’s Books About India
• Indian Somasa Recipe for Kids
• India Flag Activity
• Rakhi Videos for Kids
• Create Your Own India Art Stamps
• Rangoli Art Designs for Kids
• Learn about New Delhi, India

Outdoor Summer Activities

August means it’s the perfect time to have some extra time to head outdoors with the kids and play. These outdoors games and nature focused activities can be so much fun to do with your child.

• 20+ Pool Noodle Activities
• Drip Drip Drop Water Game
• Water Table Ideas for Kids
• Sidewalk Chalk Activities for Outdoor Learning
• Screen Free Activities for Summer Fun
• Helpful Tips for Staying Active this Summer
• 10 Best Flowers to Grow with Kids
• Outdoor Activities for Kids
• Solar Science Activities
• 15 Fun Ways to Spend More Time Outside
• Ball Games for Kids

Back to School Activities

August means it’s time to start planning for back to school time. For many it may even be their first day of school. We have a collection of Back to School activities to help your child kick off their school year.

• First Day of School Books
• Beginning of Year Self Portrait
• Back to School STEM Activities
• Personalized Back to School Book (Printable)
• Back to School Reading Interview
• First Day of School Magic Dust Poem
• Make a First Day of School Sign

• Pencil Themed Kids Craft
• Pencil Sight Word Game
• Pencil STEM Activity
• Personalized First Day of School Book (Printable)
• Crayon Sensory Bottle Density Activity
• Crayon STEM Activity
• Crayon Graphing Activity

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

August Books for Kids

As you head into August, it’s a great time to make sure your child continues to read daily and get ready for school to begin. There are so many fun books to include this month to read and explore more.

These are part of our collection of the best summer books for kids!

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner

I See Summer by Charles Ghigna

The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Cannonball: A Fun, Summertime Read About Believing In Yourself and Having Fun by Sacha Cotter

Summer Supper by Rubin Pfeffer

Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream by Rob Scotton

Curious About Ice Cream (Smithsonian) by Bonnie Bader

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by H. A. Rey

The Little Ice Cream Truck by Margery Cuyler

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sís

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

The Lady With The Alligator Purse by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow

Firenze’s Light: A Firefly Book about Gratitude, Compassion and Self-Appreciation by Jessica Collaco

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

The Backyard Bug Book for Kids by Lauren Davidson

Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

• Ice Cream Books for Kids
• First Day of School Books
• Children’s Books About India
• Ocean Books for Kids
• Counting Books
• Alphabet Books
• Shape Books
• STEM Books for Kids
• The Best Summer Books for Kids

August Activity Calendar

You can download and print our August Activity calendar for free!

This August I hope you get a chance to just relax and enjoy each other’s company!

Want more ideas for summer fun? Download our Ultimate Summer Activity Calendar Bundle!

The best sidewalk chalk activities are colorful, fun, and invite creative thinking. 

Grab a few pieces, put them in a plastic bag, and tuck them in your purse for fun on-the-go learning. Try one or all of these playful learning chalk activities for kids.

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post.

The BEST Sidewalk Chalk Activities for Kids

Of course, there is no limitation to what you can do with sidewalk chalk (this is our favorite brand), but I hope these activities will inspire some new ways to play and learn outside this summer.

Click the highlighted words to be taken to step-by-step directions or more information on the products we use.

LITERACY Themed Sidewalk Chalk Activities for Kids

Draw a letter carrot and hop to find the matching letter in this super cute Sidewalk Chalk Bunny Alphabet Game.

Grab 5-10 sight words that you want to practice and try this Sidewalk Chalk Sight Word Game.

Make a batch of cookies, then head outside to learn your alphabet with this Sidewalk Chalk Alphabet  Cookie Themed Game

Learn and Zoom the ABC’s Outside.  Try this easy sidewalk chalk activity to practice the alphabet with kids.

You can even have fun with some of your favorite book characters like this Pete the Cat sidewalk chalk game.

Skip the pre-made worksheets. Make Letter Matching Roads in the middle of your driveway.  Great for learning the letters, fine motor, and hand-eye coordination.

More letter love! Who doesn’t love monsters? Make and stomp Chalk Monsters.

Math Themed Sidewalk Chalk Activities for Kids

When all the leaves come falling down, grab a bucketful and head to the driveway for this Chalk Numbers with Leaves Math Game for Kids.

Make the classic sidewalk chalk hop-scotch. Toss the rock, hop and count.

Draw a number line with the sidewalk chalk. Call out the number and let kids jump from 0 to that number.

Working on addition and subtraction? Try the number line again, this time read or show the math problem, let the child jump forward or backwards to solve.

Choo, choo! Draw and learn numbers with this fun Counting Chalk Trains  *This is a great game to use with a transportation learning theme.

Throw a few colored circles on your driveway and let your kiddos sort their cars with this car color sort math activity.

Make a giant sidewalk chalk clock. Use 2 toys or sticks as the clocks hands. Practice telling time!

You can explore more math ideas with these sidewalk chalk math games.

SCIENCE and GLOBAL LEARNING Sidewalk Chalk Activities for Kids

Get children excited about famous landmarks around the world with this Landmarks and Math Sidewalk Chalk activity for older kids.

Learn about the Earth with this sidewalk chalk activity for kids.

Who are the people in your neighborhood? Explore your community, then make a model of your town out of chalk.

Head into the changes of season with this colorful fall leaf sidewalk chalk game that even works on eye hand coordination.

Draw the planets in order.  Want a challenge? Figure out how to draw the planets distance between each other to scale. Glitter Chalk, like this one on Amazon, makes this whole project sparkle like the stars!

“Sidewalk chalk is great because we can make roads for our bikes in the driveway.” ~ Nicholas, 7 year old

Even more Chalk Games for Kids

Put a twist on the classic chalk activities, try  Sidewalk Painting with Siblings. This sidewalk chalk paint is a whole other level of fun!  

Try wet chalk drawings – dip the sidewalk chalk into a shallow dish with water and then draw.

Trace around the kids. Let them decorate their “chalk selves.”

And the best sidewalk chalk activity for kids of all times – just let them create!

What is your favorite way for kids playing with chalk?

You may also enjoy these activities…

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Here’s how to play this letter game!

Disclosure: This book contains Amazon Affiliate links.

We’re kicking off this year’s Virtual Book Club for Kids with Alphabet Week! Our featured book this week is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

BUY NOW: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Finding book activities is one of my favorite things to do with young children. This book is so inviting and colorful and draws in a child’s focus every time you read it. Bonus is they are learning the letters of the alphabet while they read it.

Our book activity to go with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom adds some fun with movement and letter recognition and gets your child outdoors.

Plus a printable coconut alphabet for extra playable fun indoors too.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Game with Sidewalk Chalk

Materials

• sidewalk chalk
• white paper
• printer
• Coconut Alphabet printable
• small rock
• scissors
• pretend coconut or plastic container

Directions

Print the coconut letters and cut out each letters for game. Place letters into a plastic container to store and be able to sort through.

Before you head outside, ask your child to sort through the letters and place them into alphabetical order with you as you identify the letter sounds and letters one by one.

Now it’s time to head outdoors to make your very own coconut tree with sidewalk chalk. You’re going to want to make it a large coconut tree, the kids will be jumping onto it.

So grab your green for the palm frawns and brown or orange for the trunk of the palm tree. This is a super simple outline to draw.

Once your coconut tree is complete, it’s time to write the letters of the alphabet on the tree, just like in the story. You can have your child use the coconut letter cards for reference for how to write with the colorful chalk correctly.

As your child is writing the letters, talk about their letter sounds too.

Want more sidewalk chalk games? {CLICK HERE}

To play the game have your child draw letters from the plastic basket or if you really want to it play up use a pretend Coconut Shell Cup with Lid, like this on Amazon.

PRINT THE COCONUT ALPHABET HERE

Now that you have select a letter the challenge is to find it as quickly as you can on the coconut tree.

Continue to do this until your child races the clock to find all the letters on the coconut tree. When they find the letter have them jump onto it and shout out the letter name or make it more challenging and have them shout out the letter sound. Add extra fun with this adorable palm tree hat!

NEED MORE IDEAS?

For the second activity have your child jump from each letter Coconut to Coconut in alphabetical order. A fun movement activity as your child learns the order of the alphabet. When they land on the letter, have them shout out the letter sound or a word that starts with that letter.

The last idea is for beginning readers! Grab a small rock for tossing and have them toss the “coconut” rock onto a letter and have them shout what the name.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Printable Alphabet

Looking for more letter activities to go with the book? You might enjoy this post that features Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities.

What age is the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Book good For?

This book is perfect for children learning the letters of the alphabet and letter sounds. Preschoolers and Toddlers find this book quite funny. It’s also good for learning alphabetical order and handwriting, which means even Kindergarten and First Graders will find this book enjoyable.

You can even turn it into a STEM activity with all ages as you challenge them to balance letters on a tree. Or use these natural coconut shell cups to create a sorting activity.

What is the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Song?

There is an adorable Chicka Chicka Boom Boom song that you’ll want to listen to and sign along with with your child as you explore this adorable book.

I’m going to warn you it’s a bit catchy and you’ll be singing this one all day!

Want more Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities? Check out this week’s alphabet lesson plan at The Virtual Book Club for Kids.

Here are some additional alphabet themed activities you may also enjoy…

Share your Activity Ideas and Photos as you doing this activity with your child in our Weekly Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook Group!

Are you ready to get started?

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

One of my favorite alphabet books is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The playful text and colorful illustrations introduce your child to the letters of the alphabet both upper case and lower case.

Here’s a collection of activities for hours of fun with the alphabet!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities

There are so many fun ideas to use this this story. In this article you will find some of my very favorite ways to have fun with this book. From alphabet crafts, coconut tree science to even some delicious snack ideas all inspired by the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

First start by printing these Coconut Alphabet Letters to get your learning station set up for hours of fun.

Head outside for this adorable Sidewalk Chalk Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Game!

Create an adorable sticky coconut tree for this book for allow your child to stick the letters all over the tree just like in the book. You can even use recycled play dough lids, like this alphabet tree, for a more colorful option.

Have some fun with math for your older kids with this multiplication coconut tree. For younger kids just change to number recognition or addition and subtraction.

This resources includes Chicka Chicka Boom Boom printable activities and centers to introduce or review basic concepts, alphabet and math skills in an early childhood classroom.

Chicka Chick Boom Boom Alphabet Sensory Bins

Play dough can be used to set up a sensory experience with just a few items like these featured with letter beads, felt leaves and a few pieces of wood.

We love how these wooden balls are use for setting up a Storytime playdough for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Take a peek at this playdough sensory play with buttons for the coconuts.

Take advantage of your magnetic letters by creating a can coconut tree, they your child can spend hours and hours attaching their letters Chick Chicka Boom Boom Magnetic Tree.

Use your magnetic door or side of the refrigerator for a larger than life Alphabet Coconut Tree.

Get the printable Coconut Tree with Letters or use this one.

Make this Sensory Activity with Kinetic Sand and this printable We recommend using these magnetic foam letters, plastic letters or wooden letter.

Make a interactive coconut tree with this glass gem coconuts.

Make very own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom DIY sensory bottle. This sensory bottle is super simple and so much fun to make. Perfect for your little Chicka Chicka Boom Boom fan!

Add a little water play to this story by creating an alphabet soup letter bin with your foam or magnetic letters and water.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Snack Ideas

Make this adorable fruit snack inspired by the story with apple palm frawn, banana stem and mandarin oranges for the sandy grown. Plus add the letter crafts to tie in the story.

You might even want to consider making coconut bread. Here’s the recipe.

Create a delicious snack with letters by baking alphabet cheese crackers or even alphabet graham crackers.

Love the letter cereals that are available. You can use them to make this Coconut Tree Snack with apples and a pretzel rod.

Look at how cute adding letters to any plate makes for the perfect snack, even at a playdate or birthday party.

Here’s an easy recipe to make with kids for Alphabet Cookies!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Craft Projects

Create this simple activity with alphabet stamps and by drawing a coconut tree or finding a printable one online. You can make it a matching game too with alphabet cards.

With foam letters stickers you can create so many fun projects for this book. One easy one is a Toilet Paper Role Coconut Tree.

Pull out the paint for a handprint Coconut Tree or a hand painted version. Then you can pull out your alphabet stamps to create your very own Painted Alphabet Tree.

With a few green muffin tin liners and foam letters you can create this adorable Letter Coconut Tree Craft.

Make your own name with this adorable Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Name Craft using foam letters. (I told you they can be used for so many things with this story.)

Grab your empty paper towel role and your leftover dot stickers for this alphabet coconut tree in spired by this story. Or you can grab some paint to create this colorful alphabet tree the foam bowl is a brilliant way to capture the letters.

Learn the letters of your name by making a coconut name recognition tree with clothespins.

A simple activities for even your toddlers is it invite them to this paint the alphabet matching game.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Science Activities

Take this story to a whole other level by exploring coconuts together. Head to the story and purchase a coconut. Make it a science discovery experience by pulling out your magnifying glass.

Explore coconuts with your 5 Senses using these ideas. You could even make your own coconut cloud dough to play with the dried shell.

Add a little more fun to your coconut science by building your very own Coconut Tree STEM Challenge with popsicle sticks and a paper tube.

Or add a little fun to building with block and try this Chicka Chicka Boom Boom STEM Activity.

Make your own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Board Game a simple–kind of a mix between Candy Land & Trouble.

Get ready for some sensory fun by making your own Alphabet Slime and add a coconut tree confetti to go along with the story.

There are so many ways to create activities to go along with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I can’t wait to hear about which one you try first.

Many of the gorgeous photos featured in this post came from Little Miss Kaye, a member of our Virtual Book Club for kids. Thank you so much for allowing us to share on our site. Take a moment and go take a look at her gorgeous instagram account with inspiring ideas with her preschooler.

We invite you to share your Chicka Chicka Boom Boom photos in our Weekly Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook group and join along each week with our themed activities and books. Join Here

Here are some additional activities your child may enjoy…

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of my most favorite books to start the school year off with for children in early childhood classroom and in your home while working with toddlers and preschoolers.  

It’s all about having fun with the english language and with the alphabet!  It’s also the quickest way to see what letters your child knows and needs to learn.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and Joh Archambault

Chicka Chicka ABC (Chicka Chicka Book, A)

Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 (Chicka Chicka Book, A)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities

Here are several Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter activities for your child to explore the alphabet. Have fun with your coconut tree!

How to Make a Coconut Tree for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Story

Paper Towel Roll or rolled up brown construction paper makes the perfect tree. Then attach some green palm branches for the palm frawns.  If you have alphabet stickers you can attach them to the tree as you tell the story.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree Letter Stamping

One a light colored sheet of paper have your child glue a brown stem for the trunk of the palm tree and create 3 to 5 green palm tree branches to glue on top of the trunk.  Once the glue is draw encourage your child to stamp with ABC stamps.  

I found mine for $1 at Michaels or the Dollar Spot at Target.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letters Manipulatives

We found a little bag of letters from Creatology at Michaels but any little letters or magnetic letters would be fun to retell the story with.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Snack Time

Using Graham Crackers and Alphabet Cereal or Alphabet Crafts by Cheese It you can create a snack Apples work perfect for the Palm tree Limbs.  Use raisins for the coconuts!

You can also make this delicious Coconut Bread Recipe for Kids!

A fun way to explore Chicka chicka boom boom letter activities with your child.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Song

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom… and More Fun with Letters and Numbers (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

This is a fun little song created by Scholastic to play in the background while you’re crafting and snacking!  It’s available at Amazon.  Here’s the link Chicka Chicka Boom Boom DVD.  

What is your favorite Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter activity? SHARE

Want more ideas for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? Try these…

Welcome back to “Around The World in 12 Dishes”. We’ve arrived in French Polynesia on our journey around the world, (loosely) following in Phileas Fogg’s footsteps, exploring 12 different countries with our children, by cooking 12 dishes with them. One for each country visited.

Here’s where we’ve traveled so far on our Cooking Around the World.

Now we’re heading to the beautiful islands of French Polynesia! 

Learning about French Polynesia with Kids

We decided to make Coconut Bread for our Dish. It’s a moist and sweet bread with very few ingredients.  According to our research, coconut bread is popular at both breakfast and lunch in Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. 

French Polynesia consists of 121 islands and atolls (75 inhabited) in the South Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 3,521 square kilometers. The population of 278,786

The capital is Tahiti. Some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahē, Bora Bora, Hiva ‘Oa, Huahine, Mai’ao, Maupiti, Meheti’a, Mo’orea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Taha’a, Tetiaroa, Tupua’i and Tūpai.

Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin

The recipe we chose came from the cookbook Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin. We weren’t able to find the book but would love to get our hands on it one day to find more Tahitian recipes. 

Tahitian Coconut Bread Recipe

Cook Time:

35 minutes but you need to let the bread rise 3 hours first so plan ahead!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 and 1/2 cups of water
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 cups coconut milk

For the Recipe, we followed Click here. 
Here’s another version too!

My daughter was in charge of measuring all of the ingredients for this recipe. They were pretty simple and I was there to assist her if she needed help.

Here she is pouring the water, measuring the flour, and stirring the ingredients in both steps.

Then the fun part begins when it’s time to knead the bread. She had fun getting sticky and gooey and learned that flour does help the process. Although it might not be the most proper form of kneading, she really was starting to understand the process. Then we waited and watched how the dough changed because of the yeast in it.

We let it rise for 3 hours so we had some time for learning about the islands.

Next on our list to make is this moist and flavorful Coconut Cake topped with a sweet and creamy coconut buttercream frosting.

Learning How Foods Were Brought to the French Polynesian Islands

While our bread was rising we took some time to talk about where the French Polynesia Islands are located. We discovered how many islands there were. My daughter still remembers her cruise to the Western Caribbean from a few years ago so it was fun to talk with her about island hopping and all that there is to do and see on an island.

One of our day trips was focused on the foods of the islands, this was probably our favorite of all the islands we visited.

One thing that we talked about was how the food got to the island.  Since all the islands of French Polynesia are of volcanic origin, what created isolated and sparse islands, far away from any continent? Where could the food come from? 

We discovered there were so many plants but that most of the fruits and vegetables were imported and acclimated by people. There were two groups that sailed to the islands.

• Polynesian immigrants -who may have come from Southeast Asia- brought on their canoes the typical fruits of their region that they needed to survive during their long trip across the Pacific Ocean: banana trees, coconut trees, breadfruit trees… Those plants are considered today by many people as indigenous.

• European colonists then brought many species that they had gathered all around the world and acclimated them with success to the Polynesian climate. That is why we can find today in Polynesian gardens, orchards and mountains either European strawberries, African watermelons, Brazilian guava trees, or grapefruits from Borneo…  

Source: The Tahiti Traveler

We learned about the names of the Fruits and Vegetables that can be found on the islands. It was fun to see how many are also found in Florida and in India… all very close growing to a similar relation to the equator.

We checked on our globe the latitude of each place we have our family.

Becky at Kid Citizen World inspired us with her post about food and Maps, go check it out. See how much you can learn with cooking!

Once our bread was done rising we gently popped it into the oven for just 35 minutes. When it came out of the oven my daughter was so excited that it really looked like bread that she made on her own. We all had a taste test and it was so yummy.

I can imagine it with even some delicious island fruit on top for breakfast or lunch or perhaps with this Jam.   

We had so much fun making this bread together and learning about the islands of French Polynesia. We even checked out a few Tahitian videos online and read a few books about the Islands.

Plus we made a small bungalow craft and a little science lesson about coconuts while the dough was rising. Now it’s your turn to share with us!

How to join the fun!

• Cook a dish from French Polynesia: The goal is to explore this country through FOOD and activities if you wish. Make a typical dish (sweet or savory) from the country with the kids, take photos and have fun!

• Typical dishes: Poisson Cru, Poulet (Chicken) Fafa, Po’e, Pork Curry with Tarua (Taro), .

• Make a craft: you can make a country-related craft with the kids [optional!]

• Fun fact: Those things that look like mailboxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents are not for mail but for French bread delivery. Residents get a fresh loaf dropped off twice a day. But they must go to the post office to retrieve their mail!

Just in case you’re not quite ready for Summer to be over take one last peek at these beautiful islands of French Polynesia!

Want more ideas for cooking with kids? Try these kid-friendly recipes…

Muffin Recipe Ideas for Back to School Breakfasts

Yes, my three kids and I head to the kitchen this time of year to make dinners, snacks, and back to school breakfasts that will freeze well.

The baby is the most enthusiastic helper.  He sees me headed to the kitchen and grabs his wooden spoon, waving it in the air, screaming “BAKE, BAKE, ME BAKE TOO!”

The preschooler is a fan of pouring and mixing.  He is my “rule follower” in the kitchen and doesn’t like it when we make up our own recipes. He likes the predictability of old favorites and requests them often.  (This is the kid who declares Wild Rice Soup to be his absolute favorite meal in the whole wide world )

The grade schooler is the real chef.  She is able to grab a recipe and make almost anything from scratch all on her own.  She is not afraid to try new things and experiment with new flavor combos.  It is fun to see her read a recipe. You can almost see her baking in her head. Then, three minutes later she will say, “I could substitute a half cup of whole wheat for white flour, change out some oil for apple sauce, and reduce the sugar to make this healthier.” (I just sit back and watch thinking – WOW, is she a mini-me or what?)

All four of us in the kitchen: total chaos! But oh, so much fun!

Why Back to School Baking?

The first few weeks of school are a little hectic. Getting 3 kids up and school ready, brushed teeth and hair, shoes on, lunches packed, and breakfast eaten, all before 7:15 in the morning can be a little tough for one Momma to do.

I NEED a quick and healthy breakfast that requires little preparation and fills up hungry tummies.

Store-bought bakery items tend to be very sugary and expensive, so I try to use these in moderation.  I also wonder how many preservatives are in each package, as they tend to last much longer than the baked good we make at home. The only way I can control what goes into the food we eat is if we make as much of it as possible

Hard-boiled eggs are a great way to get protein in and can be made ahead of time. Pair it with a glass of milk, a healthy muffin, and fresh fruit and we’re set for early mornings!

Egg + Muffin + Fruit = YUMMY Breakfast

How Do You Find the Time?

Let’s be real. It takes time to shop, prep, cook, and clean. Making your own food may be more healthy. Making your food may be more budget-friendly. But making your own food is more time-consuming.

I try to set aside two mornings or evenings a week to bake. Then, I plan several meals that freeze well to make: lasagna, baked chicken, and enchiladas are good to make ahead and reheat meals. I then set up a baking station on a kitchen counter.  

Here is a picture of ours from yesterday. It’s nothing fancy, but it works. I re-use the same bowl and measuring spoons, washing them out between batches.

I let each kid choose what muffins/cookies/scones they want to make that week.  

That child gets to have 1:1 parenting time together to make their recipe. The other two kids read quietly in the living room for their turn. We adapt the recipes to what we have on hand. 36 muffins (Each kid makes 12) are too much for even our family of 5, and so I freeze half of each batch for another week week. 6 muffins go into each freezer bag.

That way, we don’t get tired of eating the same thing all the time and there is always a healthy snack or breakfast available for those busy days.

Some of our favorite breakfast muffin combinations

• Blueberry with Grated Orange Peel
• Lemon Blueberry
• Vanilla Raspberry
• Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins
• Vanilla Walnut
• Blueberry Streusel
• Strawberry Banana
• Orange Strawberry Jam Muffins
• Oatmeal
• Zucchini
• Chocolate Zucchini
• Cranberry Orange
• Lemon Poppy-seed
• Apple
• Apple Walnut
• Peanut Butter and Jelly

Click here for 30+ Muffin Recipes for Kids!

This week, we had purchased coconut milk and so my seven year old asked to make coconut raspberry muffins. I was game to try something new and they came out fabulous!

Want even more ideas with raspberries? Try these delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Bars! They start with a oat-maple syrup crust that is layered with tart, juicy raspberries and topped with a buttery crumble.

Raspberry Coconut Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of beet root powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 cup of coconut milk
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 egg beaten
• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, beet root powder, and salt.  Mix well.
3. In a small bowl combine coconut milk, oil, and egg.  Mix well.  Add to dry ingredients. Mix only until blended.
4. Gently fold in frozen raspberries.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
6. Cool to room temperature before serving

Amazon affiliate links below.

What is even more awesome – is that we found a book to go with this muffin – Raspberries! A story about a baker and his raspberry adventures! We’ve put it on hold at the library and look forward to reading it soon!  

Being able to extend an activity with a good book helps create life-long readers!

Are you looking for more back to school resources?  We recommend:

• Meet the Teacher Tips for Parents
• Back to School Printables
• Back to School Resources for Parents
• How to Write a Placement Letter

What is your families go-to healthy breakfast recipe?

This summer have fun exploring these ice cream books together for a tasty read! Take a moment to explore our top picks of summer books for kids.

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Ice Cream Books for Kids

There are so many delicious and colorful books about ice cream to enjoy with your child.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

Curious About Ice Cream (Smithsonian) by Bonnie Bader

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by H. A. Rey

The Little Ice Cream Truck by Margery Cuyler

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sís

Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop by Tamar Meir

The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger

Vanilla Bean: A Story About Trying New Things by Katie Turner

Ten Scoops on Top! by Sarah R. Joseph

I Like You More Than Ice Cream by Brick Puffington

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? by DK

Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh

The Sweetest Scoop: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Revolution by Lisa Robinson

Wemberly’s Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes

Paletero Man/¡Que Paletero tan Cool!: Bilingual English-Spanish by Lucky Diaz

What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

Melt Like Ice Cream by Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez & Tessa Newell

Gorilla Loves Vanilla by Chae Strathie

Groovy Joe Ice Cream & Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin

Izzy The Ice Cream Fairy by Tim Bugbird

I Scream Ice Cream! A Book of Wordles by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Alphabet Ice Cream by Sue Heap

The Sundae Scoop (MathStart 2) by Stuart J. Murphy

Scoop the Ice Cream Truck by Patricia Keeler

Just One More by Jennifer Hansen Rolli

Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop by H. A. Rey & Margret Rey

Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream by Rob Scotton

The Scoop on Ice Cream!: Ready-to-Read Level 3 by Bonnie Williams

Ice Cream Soup (Step into Reading) by Ann Ingalls

Milk to Ice Cream (Rookie Read-About Science) by Lisa M. Herrington

From Milk to Ice Cream (Who Made My Lunch?) by Bridget Heos

From Milk to Ice Cream (Start to Finish, Second Series) by Stacy Taus-Bolstad

I’m really excited for you and your child to explore all of these books about ice together this summer. Looking for ways to expand this theme? Take this Ice Cream Kindness Challenge, a fun way to encourage sibling kindness.

To go with your adorable Ice Cream Books, we’d recommend making this delicious Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe.

Or you could taste this easy no churn Blueberry ice cream for an ice cream treat with your books.

You can also create this adorable Ice Cream Sensory Bin! Step into a world of imaginative play and sensory exploration as we combine a plastic bin with plastic ice cream cones, ice cream scoops and fun additions to create an irresistible sensory experience

You may also want to explore more themed books during your summer vacation. Here are my top picks for summer books for kids.

Here are a few Virtual Field Trips for kids about Ice Cream to explore after you’ve read your favorite ice cream books for kids.

What do children learn from making ice cream?

Practice problem-solving, estimation, measurement, and other math skills by making ice cream! Cooking activities are a great way to teach kids about how to use measurement tools and apply their math skills in the kitchen.

There are only 3-4 essential ingredients needed for making ice cream: milk, cream, sugar, and flavorings. That being said, there are many other ingredients can be used to alter the flavor, texture, and consistency of your ice cream, but these four are the basics. Which makes it perfect to make with kids.

What is the science behind ice cream for kids?

Ice cream is an emulsion—a combination of two liquids that don’t normally mix together. Instead, one of the liquids is dispersed throughout the other. In ice cream, liquid particles of fat—called fat globules—are spread throughout a mixture of water, sugar, and ice, along with air bubbles.

Now that we’ve learn the science, get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with this awesome Kool-Aid Ice Cream recipe.

Ice Cream Recipe Books for Your Family

Want to make your own ice cream? Try these ice cream recipe books packed full of delicious ideas for flavors of ice cream to make.

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer
• Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book by Ben Cohen, Jerry Greenfield, Nancy Stevens
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook by Tyler Malek & JJ Goode
• The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz
• The Homemade Ice Cream Recipe Book by Robin Donovan
• The Complete Cuisinart Homemade Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, Gelato, Ice Cream Maker Book by Jessica Peters

There’s nothing quite like homemade vanilla ice cream. Rich, creamy and delicious, it’s an easy dessert and treat that’s worth the time and effort.

Ice Cream Makers

• Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Machine, 2-Qt.
• Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart
• Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
• Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Ice Cream Maker
• Ice Cream Maker Attachment for Kitchenaid Stand Mixer,2-Quart
• Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker & Candy Crusher, 2 Quarts

Read for summer reading? Download our Summer Reading Challenge…

You may also enjoy these ice cream activities with your child…

• Hosting an Ice Cream Math Playdate
• Ice Cream Totschool Ideas
• Ice Cream Virtual Field Trips for Kids
• Ice Cream Craft for Kids for End of School Year
• Making Ice Cream with Kids

The only extra needed: ICE CREAM.

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Ice Cream Math Playdate Ideas

Sample E-mail Invitation for Ice Cream MATH Playdate

We’d love to have you over for a playdate all about ICE CREAM this {day of the week} at {time}! We will be reading books, playing games, crafting and eating ice cream. Please bring a healthy ice cream topping to share. I’ll provide the rest.

Materials Needed for Ice Cream MATH Playdate

• Books about ice cream
• Chalk
• Pretend play ice cream
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Glue
• Ice Cream
• Bowls
• Spoons
• Ice Cream Scoop

Before the Ice Cream MATH Playdate

1. Check out math themed ice cream books from the library (or order them online).

Just one more “may” be more about life than math, but it does make for a great tie into to the number cone activity.  Just one more than 1 is 2. Just one more than 2 is 3.  In the highly kid-relatable story, Ruby wants just one more of everything: bedtime kisses, one more minute of playtime, one more scoop of ice cream… Read more about the book here.

The Sunday Scoop is a great book for getting kids thinking about different combinations of numbers that make 6 (Addition!) It may be a little advanced for some young learners, but I like to keep their brains challenged! Read more about the book here.

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop is a non-fiction story that brings some additional math concepts to the table such as measurements and dates in history.  Although more science, I like to pull a few favorite pages from this book to share with kids during an ice cream math playdate to talk about numbers.  Oftentimes, longer books like these are better read in small groups. I’ve found little ones get much wigglier with their friends are over! Read more about the book here.

2. Draw an ice cream hopscotch game on the driveway
3. Set out bowls, spoons, napkins, and an ice cream scoop.
4. Cut brown triangles for cones and colorful ice cream scoops. Cut and write numbers on 10 scoops for each child.

Click for directions how to make an end of the year ice cream sundae keepsake

When the Kids Arrive for the Ice Cream MATH Playdate

Read an Ice Cream Story

We like to read a story and sing a song about ice cream when all the kids arrive. This helps build vocabulary and gets children thinking about all the vocabulary; freezing, creamy, and calcium are rich words to weave into your play and learning.

Make an Ice Cream Number Cone

Then demonstrate how to make an Ice Cream Number Cone

1. Select a paper cone. Then have each child find scoops with the numbers 1-10.
2. Put the scoops in order on the table.
3. Then place them in order on top of the ice cream cone.
4. Glue in place.

PLAY Ice Cream Shop

Set out an ice cream set in your pretend kitchen area for children to play with when they are done crafting and playing games. 

Fake money and a cash register may encourage kids to set up their very own ice cream shop (bringing a little more math and learning into your already fabulous ice cream math playdate!)

Play Ice Cream Hopscotch

Head to the driveway to play on your ice cream themed hopscotch.

Enjoy your Ice Cream Treat

You can even make your own ice cream.

Have a toddler?  You may want to set up for this Ice Cream playdate with play dough!

Add a little more fun by making this Ice Cream Cone Necklace Craft.

Even MORE Ice Cream Play and Learning Activities from the Early Childhood Education Team:

• Ice Cream Cone Patterns Printable from Life Over C’s
• The Great Ice Cream Cone Race-Gross Motor Game from Capri + 3
• Summer Math for a Preschool Ice Cream Theme by Fun-A-Day

You can also use our list of the best ice cream books for kids available here:

Looking for More Playdate Ideas?

100 FUN & EASY LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS is a great resource for playdate inspiration! You could pre-make some of the games and activities for kids to play when they got together OR gather some mom friends and have a game making MNO (Moms Night Out). 

Make a bunch of games so that you can keep your little ones engaged and learning .

The huge variety of activities means you can choose from high-energy group games full of laughter and delight, or quiet activities that kids can complete on their own.

Here are some additional ideas to do with your child…

10 Fun Math Activities to Keep Your Preschooler Learning All Summer

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1. Head to your library and check out some math books. Including literature into your summer plans is a great way to expand your child’s mathematics vocabulary. Read more…

2. Build towers with blocks.  Yes, when in doubt, bring out the blocks.  Blocks are great for counting, sorting, and even adding.  Use block towers to practice simple addition problems.  Knock them down for some subtraction! Read more…

3. Count and Snack  Snack time is a great time to sneak in math activities throughout your entire summer. Try this Goldfish snack game to practice counting and number recognition.  Make a snack mix using different shape foods and have your kids sort them out.  Scoop a bowlful of cereal and see if there are more than, less than, or equal to 100 pieces.  Read more…

4. Bring out your measuring tools.  You may have a ruler, a tape measure, a thermometer, a calculator, even a scale. Make a point to bring one of these mathematical tools out for summer exploration and learning. Teach your children how to use them. Young children may surprise you with what they can learn. Our 2 year old grabs the thermometer and asks us how hot it is outside.  Read more…

5. Play Trains!  If your kids are anything like mine, we play trains at least one morning every week. The kids love to build new track paths and argue over who gets the favorite train cars set up the train cars. Extend their play by encouraging color sorting, counting, addition, and patterning.  Read more…

6. Bring out the puzzles.  They are an amazing kids activity that will not only entertain but strengthen problem solving and spatial reasoning.  We tend to bring out puzzles out right before dinner. Each child works on their own, and I can get dinner made.  My oldest helps my youngest if he isn’t able to figure out exactly where his pieces go.  Sometimes, they even bring out the floor puzzles and work together to complete them. Read more…

7. Bounce your way to stronger math skills. That’s right.  Most of us have a few balls for outdoor play. Use them for sorting, counting, and ordering.  Play catch to work on hand-eye coordination too. read more…

8. Play Preschool Board Games. Candy Land is great for learning colors and practicing taking turns. Hi Ho Cherry-O is a favorite preschool game for counting. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game is good for fine-motor and 1:1 correspondence.

9. Hand over your digital camera (or buy a simple one for them to use) and let them photograph a number. Take those pictures and put them together for a home-made book.  Work on one number a week and by the end of the summer you will have an entire collection of home-made number books! Read more…

10. Subscribe to have learning activities delivered to your door.  We wrote last week about Animal Trackers monthly subscription boxes.  A favorite of my older child is also the new Tinker Boxes from Kiwi Crate, Kiwi is running a limited time Summer Discovery Series with hands-on kids projects delivered to your door with 2-3 projects and all the materials. Read more…

Top 10 Summer Fun and Learning from the #PlayfulECE team:

• 10 Sensory Fun Ideas for Preschoolers Learning 2 Walk
• 10 Book Inspired Cooking Activities for Preschoolers by Growing Book by Book
• 10 Preschool Summer Activities All About Coconuts by Fun-A-Day!
• Top 10 Ocean and Beach Activities for Preschool! by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
• 10 Summer Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers by Mom Inspired Life
• 10 Ways to Play and Learn with Sand by Still Playing School
• 10 Ways to Learn About Colors with Your Preschooler from Life Over C’s
• 10 Fun Math Activities to Keep Your Preschooler Learning all Summer by The Educators’ Spin On It