Summer is the easiest season to find kid-appropriate songs for because the imagery is so universal — sun, beach, water, ice cream, bugs, picnics. The hard part is choosing songs that work both indoors (when it's 100°F outside) and outdoors (when you're trying to keep three preschoolers entertained in a backyard).
Summer is also when children's screen-time tends to spike. Building a small repertoire of go-to songs and call-and-response chants gives parents and camp counsellors a screen-free way to redirect attention during long, hot afternoons — without resorting to the tablet.
Here are ten summer songs that work for both, plus how to use them by activity.
1. Mr. Sun (Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun)
The single most-used preschool summer song. 'Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me.' Hand motions: arms up making a sun. Works year-round but especially well as the kickoff song for summer programs. Best for ages 2-6.
2. You Are My Sunshine
Always summer-relevant. The first verse works as a sunshine-themed song; the rest is the family love classic. Best for ages 2-8.
3. Down by the Bay
Raffi's water-themed silly song fits summer beach or pool days perfectly. Did you ever see a goose, kissing a moose, down by the bay? Endless invented verses. Best for ages 3-7.
4. The Wheels on the Bus (Summer Camp Version)
The wheels on the bus go round and round... on the way to the beach / on the way to summer camp / on the way to the pool. Customize verses to your specific summer activity. Best for ages 2-5.
5. The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. Summer rain shower → sun classic. Fingerplay still works at age 6 if you accelerate it. Best for ages 2-6.
6. I Like Ice Cream
Various preschool versions. 'I like ice cream, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.' Children love because it lets them name their favorite flavor. Best for ages 3-6.
7. Five Little Ducks (Pond Version)
Five little ducks went swimming one day. Counting song that fits any summer pond or pool setting. Best for ages 2-5.
8. The Ants Go Marching
Picnic season classic. The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah. Each verse the smallest ant does something different. Endless car-ride verses. Best for ages 3-8.
9. Boom Chicka Boom (Camp Classic)
Call-and-response summer camp standard. 'I said a boom chicka boom!' Echo. Multiple variations (loud, soft, opera, robot). Best for ages 5-12.
10. She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
Folk standard with the kind of escalating verses that fit summer road trips. Six white horses, fried chicken and dumplings, sleeping with grandma. Best for ages 4-10.
Summer Songs by Activity
- •Beach day: Down by the Bay, Five Little Ducks, Mr. Sun
- •Backyard / pool: Itsy Bitsy Spider, You Are My Sunshine
- •Picnic: The Ants Go Marching, I Like Ice Cream
- •Road trip: She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain, Wheels on the Bus
- •Summer camp: Boom Chicka Boom, call-and-response classics
Hot-Weather Music Tips
- •Sing in the shade — kids get heat-cranky fast in direct sun
- •Hydrate first — singing exposes mouth, kids dry out fast
- •Outdoor sessions: 15 minutes max for ages 2-4
- •Pair songs with the activity (swim song before swim, ice cream song before snack)
- •Avoid loud songs near naptime — summer afternoons especially benefit from quiet music
Pairing Songs with Summer Learning
Pediatric researchers warn about the "summer slide" — the literacy and numeracy loss that hits kids in the months without school. Daily song sessions are a low-effort defense: counting songs (Five Little Ducks), animal songs (The Ants Go Marching), and call-and-response chants keep core skills active without feeling like work.
See our summer learning songs and activities guide and best songs for days, months, and seasons for full progressions.