12 Low-Prep Summer Preschool Playdates

Preschool playdates are the perfect way to help preschool families connect with each other and make memories all at the same time, and summer is the prime time to host them! But life (and plans) with a preschooler can often change quickly and at the last-minute.

So you don’t want to spend a lot of time planning and preparing for an event that ends up with low attendance because Liza’s nap went long or because Caden had an accident while potty-training.

Here are 12 low-prep Preschool Playdate ideas that help preschool families connect and grow without using too much of your prep time (and here’s a free printable to help you plan!). Bonus: Most work for elementary-age kiddos too, so the whole family can join! (Find even more summer events for your kidmin here!)

Park & Popsicles – Meet at a local park with a shaded play area. Bring a cooler of popsicles to share. Let families play and connect naturally.
Water Play Day – Host in your church parking lot/field or someone’s backyard. Ask families to bring towels and wear swimsuits. Provide a few kiddie pools, sprinklers, or buckets of water and sponges. (Invite the older kids too and make it a full Summer Splash event for all ages!)
Storytime & Snacks – Gather indoors or outside under a tree. Read a short Bible story or picture book aloud. Follow it with a simple snack time (goldfish, apples, etc.). Use this Bubbles, Buddies, and Books curriculum to host these all summer long and include other activities and devotions too! Bonus: Let kids act out the story afterward with simple props.
Teddy Bear Picnic – Invite families to bring a blanket, lunch, and their child’s favorite stuffed animal. Meet at a park or grassy area for a shared picnic. Sing a song or share a short prayer blessing before eating.
Bubble Bonanza – Host a bubble playdate with various bubble wands and a big tub of DIY bubble solution, either at a local park or at the playground at church.
Sidewalk Chalk Party – Meet on a church sidewalk or playground and let kids draw freely with sidewalk chalk.
Nature Scavenger Hunt – Gather at a local park or trail. Hand out a simple picture-based checklist (leaf, rock, flower, bug, etc.) or just a simple brown paper bag and let kids go on a treasure hike! They add any “treasures” they find to their brown bag. Or turn it into a prayer scavenger hunt with a simple printable like this!
Visit a Local Theatre – Your local theatre probably has a children’s series (especially in the summer) with plays, interactive shows, and more for littles, so check to see what a theatre near you offers for live performances for kids, then invite your families to join you at the kid-friendly show of your choice.
Tikes and Bikes – Invite families to bring their bikes, scooters, strollers, etc. to the church parking lot! Let kids ride around the flat area while parents fellowship. Bonus: Use some chalk to draw a “road” or obstacle course on the ground for kids to follow.
Fire Station Tour – Preschoolers LOVE this one! Set up a tour and demonstration at a nearby fire station. They’re usually free, and kids get to learn about fire safety while also having fun! Plus, sometimes they let you sit in the fire truck – who doesn’t want to do that?!
Local Library Tour – Most local libraries have special storytimes for littles, and if you schedule a tour of the library right before that time, it makes a simple, no-prep preschool playdate! Kids learn how to check out books and hear a fun story, and all you had to do was show up.
Craft Day – Got extra crafts laying around from VBS or Sunday morning? Bring them all out for a preschool craft day and host it at the church for families with preschool-age kids. You get to use up some old crafts that are just sitting around taking up space, and preschoolers get to work on their dexterity and creativity!

What are some of your favorite low-prep Preschool Playdates the families in your ministry have loved? DKM Subscribers can access a Preschool Playdate Planning Checklist to help you plan your events with ease plus a Color-themed Preschool Playdate! And check out the two resources below for even more Preschool Playdate ideas!