Lesson Plan
Sun-Savvy Kids Lesson Plan
Students will learn to protect themselves from sun exposure, stay hydrated, follow water and bike safety, and understand the importance of supervised play and safe playtime limits through songs, stories, and interactive stations.
Expanding summer safety to include bike rules and supervised play helps children build comprehensive habits to prevent injuries, avoid staying out too late, and ensure healthy, timely returns home.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive songs, stories, and hands-on stations.
Materials
- Sun Safety Song Lyrics, - Sunny's Summer Squirrel Adventure Storybook, - Sun-Savvy Coloring Sheet, - Water Safety Poster, - Bike Safety Poster, - Playtime Clock Poster, - Sunscreen Lotion or Cream, - Water Bottles, - Sun Hats, - Beach Ball, - Bike Helmets, and - Reflective Arm Bands
Prep
Teacher Preparation
7 minutes
- Review Sun Safety Song Lyrics, Sunny's Summer Squirrel Adventure Storybook, Water Safety Poster, Bike Safety Poster, and Playtime Clock Poster.
- Print copies of Sun-Savvy Coloring Sheet for each student.
- Gather Sunscreen Lotion, Water Bottles, Sun Hats, Beach Ball, Bike Helmets, and Reflective Arm Bands.
- Set up four safety stations in the classroom space.
Step 1
Welcome Circle
3 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and greet them warmly.
- Ask: “What do you like about summer?” to spark interest.
- Introduce today’s expanded safety topics: sun, hydration, water, bikes, and supervised play.
Step 2
Sun Safety Song
6 minutes
- Display or hand out Sun Safety Song Lyrics.
- Teach the song line by line with gestures for hat, sunscreen, and water.
- Sing the song twice with the class, encouraging big movements.
Step 3
Story Time
7 minutes
- Read Sunny's Summer Squirrel Adventure Storybook aloud.
- Pause to ask: “How did Sunny protect his skin?” and “What did he do when he was thirsty?”
- Relate those choices to bike safety and supervised play: ask “Who rides bikes with a grown-up?” and “When should we come inside?”.
Step 4
Safety Stations
8 minutes
- Divide class into four small groups; rotate every 2 minutes.
- Station 1: Sunscreen Application – practice applying pretend sunscreen to arms.
- Station 2: Hydration Station – pour water into cups and learn safe sip sizes.
- Station 3: Water Safety – sort safe vs. unsafe items on the Water Safety Poster.
- Station 4: Bike & Supervision Station – fit [Bike Helmets] and reflective bands, discuss staying near adults, and use the Playtime Clock Poster to decide when it’s time to come inside.
Step 5
Reflection and Coloring
6 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole group; ask each student to share one tip from any station.
- Distribute Sun-Savvy Coloring Sheet for quick drawings of their favorite new tip.
- Display students’ drawings on the classroom wall as a reminder of all-around summer safety.
Slide Deck
Sun-Savvy Kids
An interactive 30-minute summer safety lesson for kindergarten—learn about sun protection, staying hydrated, and water safety!
Welcome the class and introduce the lesson’s theme. Greet each student by name and build excitement for today’s activities.
Today’s Objectives
• Learn how to protect our skin from the sun (hats, shade, sunscreen)
• Practice staying hydrated by drinking water
• Identify safe and unsafe behaviors near water
Read the objectives one at a time. Invite students to raise their hand when they hear a goal they’re excited about.
Welcome Circle
• Gather in a circle
• Question: “What do you like about summer?”
• Introduce our three safety topics: sun, water, and hydration
Lead a quick conversation: “What do you like to do in summer?” Connect their answers to staying safe.
Sun Safety Song
Let’s sing and move!
• Shade your face for a hat
• Rub on sunscreen
• Take a drink of water
Distribute or display the song lyrics. Teach one line at a time, modeling gestures for each tip.
Story Time: Sunny’s Adventure
Join Sunny the Squirrel on his summer day!
Sunny’s Summer Squirrel Adventure Storybook
Questions:
• How did Sunny protect his skin?
• What did Sunny drink when he got thirsty?
Show the storybook cover. Read aloud with expression. Pause to ask the questions on the slide.
Safety Stations
Rotate every 2–3 minutes through:
- Sunscreen Application—practice pretend sunscreen
- Hydration Station—pour and sip water safely
- Water Safety—sort safe vs. unsafe items on the poster (Water Safety Poster)
Explain how groups will rotate through three stations. Monitor time and help students move safely.
Reflection & Coloring
• Share one thing you learned today
• Color your favorite safety tip!
Invite each student to share one tip. Then hand out coloring sheets and crayons.
Water Safety Poster
Review safe vs. unsafe items at the pool or beach:
Display this poster as a reminder all summer long!
Use this poster to reinforce water safety rules in the classroom. Encourage students to point out safe behaviors.
Worksheet
Sun-Savvy Coloring Sheet
Activity 1: Color the safety items!
Color the pictures below:
• A bright sun – Color me yellow!
• A sun hat – Color your favorite color!
• A bottle of sunscreen – Color my label!
• A water bottle – Color me blue!
• A life ring – Color me red and white!
Activity 2: Match the picture to the safety tip
Draw a line to connect each picture on the left to the correct safety tip on the right.
Sun ____________ Stay in the shade
Hat __________ Wear your hat
Sunscreen __________ Rub on sunscreen
Water bottle __________ Drink water
Life ring __________ Swim with a buddy
Bike helmet __________ Wear a bike helmet
Clock __________ Come inside before it gets dark
Adult & child __________ Stay near a grown-up
Activity 3: Draw each safety tip
- Draw someone wearing a bike helmet:
- Draw a clock showing playtime ending:
- Draw you staying safe with a grown-up near you:
Activity 4: My favorite safety tip
What is your favorite summer safety tip? Draw or write it below:
Reading
Sunny’s Summer Squirrel Adventure Storybook
Once upon a bright summer morning, Sunny the Squirrel woke up in his cozy treehouse feeling excited for a day of outdoor fun. He peeked out the window and saw the golden sun shining high in the sky.
“Today is a perfect day to explore!” Sunny exclaimed, scampering downstairs. But before he dashed off, he remembered his mom’s important safety rules.
Getting Ready for the Sun
[Illustration: Sunny holding a wide-brimmed sun hat]
Sunny reached for his favorite yellow sun hat and placed it snugly on his head.
He then squirreled out a bottle of sunscreen. “Always use sunscreen,” he chattered, as he rubbed the lotion on his arms and cheeks. “This will keep my fur—and my skin—safe from the sun’s strong rays!”
Staying Hydrated
[Illustration: Sunny with a water bottle at a picnic blanket]
Next, Sunny grabbed his blue water bottle. He took a big sip and smiled. “Drinking water keeps me cool and gives me energy to play all day,” he said.
Sunny packed an extra bottle in his little backpack, just in case he felt thirsty later.
Water Safety at Meadow Pond
[Illustration: Sunny standing by a calm pond with a friend]
At the edge of Meadow Pond, Sunny met his friend Penny the Prawn. They both wanted to splash in the water—but Sunny remembered another safety tip.
“We always swim with a buddy and stay where it’s shallow,” he reminded Penny. They hopped in together, giggling as they paddled their paws in the cool water.
When Penny pretended to drift too far, Sunny called out, “Stay close, Penny! We’re safer together.”
A Safe and Sunny Celebration
[Illustration: Sunny and Penny dancing under a shady tree]
After splashing, Sunny and Penny sat under a big oak tree for shade. They munched on crunchy acorns and sipped the rest of their water.
Sunny thought about all the ways he had stayed safe:
• Wearing a hat and sunscreen to protect his skin
• Drinking water to stay hydrated
• Swimming with a buddy in shallow water
As the sun began to set, Sunny scampered home—tired but happy. “What a perfect, sun-savvy day!” he sighed, curling up in his treehouse bed.
And from that day on, Sunny knew that a little bit of planning and care could make every summer adventure both safe and fun.
The End
Script
Sun Safety Song Lyrics
Tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It
Verse 1: Hat
If you want to stay sun-safe, put on your hat! (Shade your face with your hands like a hat brim)
If you want to stay sun-safe, put on your hat! (Shade your face with your hands like a hat brim)
If you want to stay sun-safe, every sunny day, (Give a big thumbs up)
Then you put on your hat! (Shade your face with your hands like a hat brim)
Verse 2: Sunscreen
If you want to stay sun-safe, rub on sunscreen! (Rub your arms in circles)
If you want to stay sun-safe, rub on sunscreen! (Rub your arms in circles)
If you want to stay sun-safe, every sunny day, (Give a big thumbs up)
Then you rub on sunscreen! (Rub your arms in circles)
Verse 3: Water
If you want to stay sun-safe, take a big drink! (Pretend to sip from a water bottle)
If you want to stay sun-safe, take a big drink! (Pretend to sip from a water bottle)
If you want to stay sun-safe, every sunny day, (Give a big thumbs up)
Then you take a big drink! (Pretend to sip from a water bottle)
Finale: Chorus
Sun, sun, shining sun! (Circle your arms overhead)
We’re sun-savvy every day! (Give a big thumbs up)
Shady spots and cool water, (Pretend to shade + pretend to sip)
Help us laugh and play! (Jump or clap your hands)
Note to Teacher:
- Introduce one verse at a time, teaching the gestures before you sing.
- Model each motion clearly and encourage students to join in with big smiles and energy.
- Repeat the song as often as needed to build confidence and reinforce summer safety habits!
Activity
Safety Stations
Rotate through each station in small groups (2–3 minutes per station).
Station 1: Sunscreen Application
- Materials: sunscreen lotion (or pretend lotion), model arms or partner’s forearms.
- Students practice dispensing a small amount of sunscreen and rubbing it in circular motions on their arms.
- Teacher models proper application and reminds: “Sunscreen protects our skin from strong sun rays!”
Station 2: Hydration Station
- Materials: water pitcher, cups, water bottles.
- Students pour water into cups and practice safe sipping (small sips, refill when half empty).
- Talk about why drinking water helps us stay cool and energized in summer.
Station 3: Water Safety
- Materials: Water Safety Poster, picture cards or objects showing safe/unsafe items.
- Students view the poster and sort cards into two piles: Safe vs. Unsafe.
- Discuss rules: always swim with a buddy, stay in shallow water, wear a life ring when needed.
Teacher Tip: Monitor time and guide rotations. Praise students for their safety skills at each station!
Cool Down
Sun-Savvy Exit Ticket
1. My Favorite Safety Tip
Draw or write your favorite summer safety tip from today’s lesson:
2. Circle the Things You Need to Stay Sun-Safe
Hat Beach Ball Sunscreen Water Bottle
3. Why Is It Important to Swim with a Buddy?
Write your answer below: