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Looking for a simple way to add some fun and structure to your summer at home with little ones? Theme Week Summer was designed with preschool and early elementary-aged kids in mind, giving you a low-pressure rhythm for the season with flexible, intentional ideas. Each week centers around a new theme, helping guide your books, activities, crafts, snacks, and outings without requiring elaborate planning.

You can grab my free printables and editable templates to create your own summer schedule and plan out each week's theme. And if you're looking for ideas on how to build a realistic daily routine around your summer plans, be sure to check out my post, A Simple Summer Schedule for Kids That Keeps Our Days Flexible & Fun, where I share the daily rhythm we're using in our home this year (including editable templates to help you make your own daily summer schedule for your family!)

👉 Click here to visit the main Theme Week Summer post and get your free printables, templates, and planning resources.

Theme Week Summer: Easy Ideas for an Intentional Summer at Home

Theme Week Summer is all about simple, intentional fun at home with your preschoolers and early elementary kids! Grab free printables to plan your own summer themes and follow along with weekly inspiration, activities, books, snacks, and more.

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A Simple Summer Schedule for Kids That Keeps Our Days Flexible & Fun

Looking for a realistic summer routine for kids at home? I’m sharing how I’m planning a flexible summer schedule as a work-from-home mom, plus simple Theme Week Summer ideas, daily rhythm tips, and editable Canva templates to help you create intentional summer routines for your family.

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Art & Creativity

Art & Creativity Week is a fun and flexible way to encourage imagination, self-expression, and hands-on learning during the summer months. Whether your kids love painting, drawing, crafting, building, or simply creating with whatever materials they can find, this theme is easy to adapt for a wide range of ages and interests. Some simple ideas include watercolor painting, sidewalk chalk murals, nature collages, play-dough creations, sticker art, or visiting a local art museum or gallery. You could also read books like The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds or Ish, watch episodes of Bluey featuring imaginative play and creativity, or enjoy colorful snacks like rainbow fruit skewers, paint palette cookies, or "artist snack trays" filled with fruits and veggies in every color of the rainbow.

One of the things I love most about this theme is that it doesn't require expensive supplies or elaborate plans. Creativity can happen with a simple sheet of paper, a box of crayons, or even a nature walk that inspires a new idea. This week gave us an excuse to slow down, try new things, and celebrate the creativity that's already naturally present in our kids. Here's a peek at what Art & Creativity Week looked like for our family this summer!

find ideas for art & creativity week

Here's What We Actually Did During Art & Creativity Week

One of my favorite things about Theme Week Summer is that it doesn't have to be Pinterest-perfect. Some weeks we'll do lots of activities, and other weeks we'll keep things simple. The goal isn't to fill every minute—it's simply to create a little extra intention and fun around a theme. Here's a peek at what Art & Creativity Week looked like for our family this year!

Sun Prints at West Art

One of our favorite outings this week was visiting West Art's Kids Art & Play Club. (West Art is a local community hub created in an old church building just a few minutes away from our house). The kids got to create sun prints using special light-sensitive paper, and they thought it was so neat to watch their designs appear after being exposed to sunlight. It was such a unique art experience and a great reminder that creativity can happen in so many different ways. We loved having the opportunity to try something new while spending time together as a family.

First Friday Art Gallery Scavenger Hunt

We also spent an evening exploring downtown Lancaster during First Friday. My husband put together a simple art scavenger hunt for the kids, challenging them to spot different colors, styles, and types of artwork as we visited local galleries. It gave them a purpose while we browsed, and it sparked some fun conversations about what they liked and noticed. It was a simple way to introduce them to art in a real-world setting and make the experience engaging for little kids.

Lots of Painting at Home

Of course, no Art & Creativity Week would be complete without plenty of painting! We spent several afternoons creating artwork at home using washable paints, silicone painting mats, and kid-sized paint coverups that helped keep the mess manageable. Sometimes the simplest activities end up being the favorites, and both kids loved having the freedom to paint, experiment, and create whatever came to mind. (They even made sure that mom and dad made something!)

Our Home Art Gallery

The highlight of the week was turning our house into our very own art gallery. We displayed the kids' artwork throughout the house and invited family members to come "visit" the exhibit. Watching the kids proudly guide their grandparents through each room, explaining their paintings and creations, was such a sweet moment. It cost nothing, took just a few minutes to set up, and ended up being one of the most memorable activities of the entire week.

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What Worked Well This Week

The biggest surprise hit of the week was definitely our home art gallery. While the outings and projects were fun, the kids loved having a chance to showcase their work and feel proud of what they created. It was a simple reminder that some of the best memories don't require elaborate plans—just a little creativity and a willingness to celebrate the small things.