It’s July. The sun is blazing, the playground feels like a griddle, and you’ve already filled the water table twice—before 10 a.m. When it’s too hot to go outside, but the kids still have all the energy in the world, classroom life gets… intense.

If you’re feeling the pressure of long, sweaty days stuck indoors, this one’s for you. Here are a few ways to make the most of summer—without losing your voice, patience, or mind.

Shift your expectations (and routines)

You don’t have to throw out your structure, but it’s okay to adjust your rhythm to fit the season. Kids are wired differently when they can’t run off their energy outside, so be flexible.

Try shorter group times, longer art or sensory blocks, and more “stations” for independent play.

Swap high-energy songs for calming ones, or turn your usual transitions into movement breaks.

Think: “mini sprints of structure, followed by slow and steady.”

Get creative with indoor movement

When you can’t go out, bring the big movements in. These don’t need to be complicated or Pinterest-worthy—just intentional bursts of motion that give kids a safe way to get their wiggles out.

A few tried-and-true ideas:

• Tape lines or shapes on the floor for jumping, tiptoeing, or balancing
• Turn hallway walks into animal parades (hop like a frog, crawl like a bear)
• Use foam blocks or beanbags for easy indoor games
• Play freeze dance, yoga videos, or calming “movement stories” to music

These short activities can break up the day and reduce the energy spikes that lead to meltdowns.

Keep sensory bins in rotation

When the days blur together, sensory play can save your sanity. You don’t need anything fancy—just keep a couple of bins filled with things like rice, pom-poms, water beads (age-appropriate, of course), or cool water and scoops.

Sensory bins give kids something to focus on, offer a break from loud play, and let you breathe for five whole minutes while they dig, pour, and sort.

Bonus: they’re a great tool for calming overstimulated kiddos without forcing everyone to sit still.

Take care of yourself, too

Hot weather + high energy + no outdoor time = teacher burnout waiting to happen. Build in small moments of care for yourself during the day:

• Step outside on your break for a quiet minute (even if it’s still hot)
• Keep a cold drink or a cooling towel nearby
• Lower the lights during quiet time to reset the tone
• Ask for help if you’re overwhelmed—it’s okay to tag in your co-teacher

Summer doesn’t have to be all chaos and counting down the hours. With the right mix of structure, creativity, and grace—for the kids and yourself—you can turn even the hottest, most restless days into something manageable. Maybe even enjoyable.

And if all else fails? Play a calm song, dim the lights, and pass out crayons.

You’re doing amazing.