The long summer break is on the horizon. It is an exciting time for children of all ages. Who doesn’t look forward to the holidays! This may leave you wondering how you can ensure your preschooler stays engaged and happy during the long summer. No matter whether you are a stay-at-home parent or work full or part-time, there are many imaginative and different possibilities for you to explore. Here are some ideas to keep the whole family happy.
Summer Camp Programs
For parents working full time during the holidays, enrolling your preschooler in a quality summer day camp can be a wonderful way to support their growth and development. Day camps offer all the excitement of new activities while helping children build confidence, develop their social skills, and discover new interests, but with the comforting knowledge of returning home to their family at the end of each day. When choosing a summer camp, look for one with small classes to ensure your child receives lots of individual attention.
Research from How Do Summer Programs Influence Outcomes for Children and Youth highlights the lasting developmental benefits of structured summer experiences, especially in early childhood.
Summer Break Fun in South Florida: What to do?
There are many things to do as South Florida has a plethora of interesting places that families and their young children can enjoy visiting together. Here are just a few of them.
Beaches
Deerfield Beach
Just 15 minutes from Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach is one of Broward County’s safest and cleanest beaches — ideal for a family day out. Lifeguards offer peace of mind, the gentle waves and calm waters are perfect for wading and splashing, and the soft sand is made for building epic sandcastles.
Right nearby, Sullivan Park is a must-visit, with a toddler-friendly playground and a colorful splash pad to cool off in. Shaded picnic areas, clean restrooms, and plenty of nearby ice cream shops make it easy to enjoy a full day of fun.
Hollywood Beach
Lively and family-friendly, Hollywood Beach is known for its wide sandy shoreline and stroller-friendly broadwalk. The shallow, gradual entry into the ocean makes it perfect for little swimmers. Forgot your beach gear? Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent.
On the beach itself, Charnow Park offers shaded playgrounds, splash fountains, and jungle gyms designed with preschoolers in mind. You’ll also find picnic tables, clean restrooms, and outdoor showers — plus plenty of snack spots along the boardwalk. Arrive early for cooler weather and easy parking — and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Parks and Playgrounds Your Child Will Love
Tradewinds Park & Stables (Coconut Creek)
Perfect for a morning or afternoon adventure, Tradewinds offers wide-open spaces, picnic spots, and shaded playgrounds. Pony rides and a miniature train run on weekends, and Butterfly World, a magical favorite for little ones, is right inside the park. Fishing lakes, nature trails, and fields to run wild in complete the experience.
Sabal Pines Park (Coconut Creek)
Ideal for quick energy burnouts, Sabal Pines Park features a seasonal splash pad, big grassy fields for ball games and picnics, clean restrooms, and easy parking. A simple, stress-free option for active preschoolers.
Fern Forest Nature Center (Coconut Creek)
For a slower-paced day, Fern Forest is perfect. Wander shady, stroller-friendly boardwalks and explore educational displays about bugs, wildlife, and native plants — a peaceful, nature-filled outing for curious young minds.
Bonus Adventures Worth the Drive: Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society
Introduce your child to a world of wildlife, from Flamingos and Giant Anteaters to Capybaras and Owls. A visit here will have your little explorer wide-eyed with wonder!
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND is the perfect summer break treat and a great choice for your preschooler’s first visit to a theme park. It’s designed specifically for children ages 2–12. The park is a safe, welcoming environment, carefully created so it doesn’t overwhelm either the children or their parents!
There are soft play areas, splash spaces, and fabulous rides, many without height restrictions, that are stimulating enough to thrill little ones without scaring the pants off them. Happily, there are also plenty of quiet spots for both adults and children when they need a break from the excitement, maybe followed by some live entertainment.
The park’s focus is on imaginative play, creativity, and learning. Visit DUPLO Valley or take Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour, where your child can pedal through woods and icy mountains and experience the smells, sounds, and sights of the wild outdoors. The park is stroller-friendly, offers family restrooms and baby care centers, and has plenty of shady areas, making the whole experience comfortable and enjoyable for parents of preschoolers.
10 Fun (and Unexpected) Things to Do At Home
Some days you just want to stay put, with no desire to leave the house. Never fear. You don’t need fancy toys or a big budget to keep young children busy, just a little imagination and a willingness to get a little messy! Next time you hear “I’m bored!” try one of the indoor or outdoor activities below and turn the day into something special.
Create a sensory bin
Fill a big tub with things like cooked spaghetti, colored rice, or kinetic sand. Hide some toys inside and let your little one dig, scoop, and discover. Maybe do this outside.
Make “Magic Potions”
Kids just love making magic potions. Set up a “potions lab” with colored water, baking soda, vinegar, and glitter. Let them mix and watch the fizz! (Warning: messy fun ahead.)
Act Out a Story
Pick a favorite book and turn it into a short play! Costumes, stuffed animals, and funny voices are all encouraged.
Build a Mud Kitchen
Old pots, a spoon, some dirt, and water — boom, you’ve got a mud kitchen. Watch them “cook” up pies and stews using leaves and sticks.
Set Up an Art Station and Go Big Making a Collage
Tape a giant piece of paper to a fence or lay it on the ground, and hand out big brushes, sponges, glue, and bits and pieces that can be stuck onto the paper. Think leaves, bits of string, scraps of material. Let them paint with hands, feet — whatever!
Create a Spy Obstacle Course
Set up yarn like laser beams between trees or chairs. Add a tunnel and a “rescue mission” to save a teddy bear. They’ll love it!
Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a simple list: find a red leaf, a feather, a cool rock. It’s like an outdoor treasure hunt, easy but so exciting.
Set Up a Backyard Water Lab
Grab a sprinkler, buckets, and cups. Preschoolers will happily spend ages scooping, pouring, and splashing around.
Play Freeze Dance (with a twist)
Blast some music and when you pause it, call out something silly like “dance like spaghetti!” or “jump like a frog!”
Start a Mini Garden
Let the kids plant a few seeds in pots. They’ll love watering them and checking every day to see if anything’s growing.
Indoor Fun for Hot or Rainy Days
The Art Nest – Boca Raton
At the Art Nest, every child is seen as a natural artist just waiting to be discovered. Their small, personalized classes are designed especially for preschoolers. Activities include:
- Painting and Drawing: Big brushes, bright colors, and lots of room to explore.
- Collaging: Cutting, gluing, and layering textures to spark creativity.
- Clay Play: Squishing, shaping, and building hands-on masterpieces.
- Creative Storytelling: Turning imagination into art through stories and pictures.
- Fashion and Dress-Up Design: Letting imaginations run wild with color and fabric!
Young At Art Museum (YAA NOW at Plantation Heritage Park) – Plantation
An indoor art museum is made just for kids, offering special exhibits for toddlers and preschoolers. Think giant building blocks, painting walls, and interactive art stations. It’s a smaller, more hands-on experience than a traditional museum — more like a giant art playroom!
My Gym Coral Springs
An indoor activity center perfect for energetic little ones. My Gym offers structured play sessions with tumbling, climbing, and basic gymnastics — a fun and safe way to burn off energy. Preschool classes also include songs, bubbles, and lots of running, jumping, and happy faces.
We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym – Boca Raton
A welcoming indoor sensory gym, ideal for preschoolers and neurodiverse children. Kids can swing, climb, and explore soft play equipment, plus unwind in the calming sensory room. Smaller playgroups and a supportive environment make it a great choice for families.
Local Libraries
Most libraries offer free story times, arts and crafts mornings, as well as puppet shows throughout summer.
Spend Summer Break at Providence Children’s Academy
At Providence Children’s Academy, we’re experts at keeping children engaged, curious, and happy, whether they’re with us at summer camp or in our “home away from home” preschool. We believe that children learn best through play. If you’re looking for one of the best preschools in Coconut Creek for your child, contact us today at 954-570-6914.