Summer/Beach Story Time (OUTDOOR 2021)

I have two outdoor story times today and aside from a book change at the end, I’m going to follow the same outline. I had 24 people this morning at the park so we’re already off to a good start! After a deluge last night, we’re having a beautiful day and hopefully that will continue this afternoon for the farmer’s market.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We clap and sing hello,
We clap and sing hello,
With our friends at story time,
We clap and sing hello!

We tap and sing hello (tap knees) //
We stretch and sing hello (stretch arms up) //
We wave and sing hello (wave)
Source: Storytime Katie

Song: The Wheels on the Bus

Book: Summer Color! by Diana Murray; illustrated by Zoe Persico

Rhyming book exploring all the beautiful colors summer brings to us when we explore outside.

Song: It is Summer (to the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
It is summer and it’s time to take a swim, (paddle arms)
It is summer and it’s time to take a swim,
It is summer, that’s the season,
We don’t need a better reason!
It is summer and it’s time to take a swim.

It is summer and it’s time to play outside, woo hoo! (arms over head) //
It is summer and it’s time to eat ice cream, yum yum! (rub tummy)
Adapted from Perpetual Preschool

Rhyme: Five Little Sandcastles
Five little sandcastles sitting by the shore,
WHOOSH! goes a wave and now there are four.

Four little sandcastle sitting by the sea,
SPLASH! goes a wave and now there are three.

Three little sandcastles by the ocean blue,
CRASH! goes a wave and now there are two.

Two little sandcastles sitting in the sun,
WHOOSH! goes a wave and now there is one.

One little sandcastle had lots of fun,
SHHH goes a wave and now there are none.
Source: Lisa Markle Sparkles

I printed out sandcastle clipart on cardstock and taped giant craft sticks to it to use for this rhyme.

Book: To the Beach! by Linda Ashman; illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Rhyming book about a family trying to get to the beach but they keep forgetting things at home! And then the rain starts …

Song: The Waves on the Beach … (to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus)
The waves on the beach go up and down,
Up and down, up and down,
The waves on the beach go up and down,
All day long.

The sharks in the sea go snap, snap, snap //
The crabs on the beach go pinch, pinch, pinch //
The clams on the beach go open and shut //
The sand on the beach goes swish, swish, swish

Dance Song: The Goldfish — Laurie Berkner Band

Book: Summer Wonders by Bob Raczka; illustrated by Judy Stead

Rhyming book about things kids love to do in summer. Short and great for the end of story time when everyone’s getting wiggly from sitting still for so long! I read this at my morning story time.

I’m going to switch it up and read this one at the farmer’s market this afternoon because I like the pictures of all those summer fruits and veggies.

Book: Summer Supper by Rubin Pfeffer; pictures by Mike Austin

A family grows and shares their food in a beautiful summer supper with family and friends. Very short and great for the end of story time!

Goodbye Song: It’s Time To Say Goodbye to All Our Friends
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, (tap knees)
Goodbye!
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends,
Goodbye!
It’s time to say goodbye …
Wave your hands and wink your eye!
Oh, it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends,
Goodbye! (wave)
Source: Sunflower Storytime