The Most Memorable May Preschool Themes

May preschool themes are where sunshine meets learning! This big list of playful preschool themes are packed with fun and curiosity—just like your preschoolers. With the school year wrapping up, it’s the perfect time to keep things light, fun, and packed with hands-on activities that will leave a lasting impression. So bring on the sunshine, dirt, wings, and giggles—May’s got it all.

Preschool Themes to Teach in May

Nigel “Fennel” Hudson was an avid naturalist outdoorsman and angler, in addition to being a renowned author, editor, and publisher.

In one of his published journals, he wrote:

May, more than any other month, wants us to feel most alive.

― Fennel Hudson, A Meaningful Life – Fennel’s Journal – No. 1

With spring in full bloom, and maybe some hints of summer threatening us, May is a wonderful month for teaching preschool. And Fennel Hudson got is right; it’s a time to feel alive! To actively live and enjoy and maybe even indulge a little.

And these are all things preschoolers naturally do, and they do them well. So let’s make the most of this month of May by finishing the school year with the most memorable preschool themes and activities. This list of May preschool themes was curated to make your theme planning all the easier, and each theme was included because May is the perfect time for these fun activities!

From flowers for Mother’s Day to caps and gowns for preschool graduation, this post will inspire your teaching!

Shop our Spring Printable Sets

Grab all three spring printable sets for a season full of learning and fun!

Themes to Teach in Your May Preschool Lesson Plans

Let’s be real—May can feel like a whirlwind of “How do i make it to the end of the year?!” energy. With the pressure to keep the learning going strong, it’s easy to lose a bit of that early-year sparkle. But don’t worry—we’ve got the ultimate secret weapon: a big list of favorite preschool themes and activities that make teaching in May feel like a breeze.

This post is packed with both classic and quirky May themes to spice up your lesson plans. Think fine motor fun, sensory bins galore, art that doubles as literacy practice, and math with a creative twist.

With some solid structure—it’s not too late to read our Preschool Schedules Guidebook—and a dose of creativity, you can keep your preschoolers focused and learning.

May is a busy month, but with the right themes and activities, your classroom can stay on track and have fun doing it. Ready?

All About Me Preschool Theme

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery with our amazing All About Me preschool theme! We’re crafting a colorful world where every little one can explore their own uniqueness and appreciate the same in their classmates. Together, we’ll create an inclusive and safe haven for learning, where differences are celebrated and cherished.

Get All About Me Lesson Plans for Toddlers

Bees Preschool Theme

Buzz-tastic news! Your preschoolers will be buzzing with joy with our oh-so-amazing bee themed preschool lesson plans! Engage your curious preschoolers in a world of over 16 interactive and educational activities. From captivating books to colorful art projects and even un-bee-lievably fascinating explorations into their life cycle – this theme is a fun and effective way to keep preschoolers curious about these important bugs.

Classic Children’s Books Preschool Theme

Uncover the treasures of language development, vocabulary growth, and foster a lifelong love for reading. It blends literacy, math, science, art, and social-emotional learning into storytime. Whether you’re rhyming with Pete the Cat or exploring colors with Mouse Paint, these hands-on ideas make books come to life. Grab your free picture book activities for preschool lesson plans here.

Colors Preschool Theme

Get ready to brighten up your kiddo’s world this May! Dive into the vibrant universe of colors with our fantastic, FREE color lesson plans crafted especially for your preschooler! Let them be amazed as they recognize, compare, and learn the names of stunning colors all around. Don’t miss the chance to unlock their true potential and prepare for a life lived in full color!

Family & Pets Preschool Theme

Get ready, preschoolers, for an absolutely amazing adventure in May! It’s all about celebrating our families and furry friends in the most fun and fabulous way with these free family and pets preschool lesson plans! Let’s come together to share heartwarming stories and exciting experiences about our loved ones at home! It’s going to be a family and pets extravaganza! So gear up, little ones, and let the joyous journey begin!

Feelings & Emotions Preschool Lesson Plans

Unleash your preschooler’s emotional superhero as the school year winds down! There’s no better time than the end of the school year to remind preschoolers all about their big feelings and emotions. Devote a week to mastering their whirlwind of feelings and conquering the realms of emotion! With our free feelings and emotions lesson plans, your child will have a blast learning about all their big feelings, and they’ll be even more prepared for entering kindergarten.

Flowers Preschool Theme

​These free flower-themed preschool lesson plans from are packed with hands-on activities that blend literacy, math, science, and art. Kids can explore flower parts, plant seeds, and engage in creative projects like building a name flower garden or measuring flower heights. The plan also includes curated picture book recommendations to enhance learning. Perfect for spring, these activities are easy to set up and require minimal materials, making them ideal for both classroom and at-home learning.​

Graduation Preschool Theme

Looking for some preschool graduation ideas? How about some pre-k graduation ideas you can do on the cheap? I hear you. While those magazine-worthy preschool graduation set-ups are tempting, they aren’t realistic for every preschool.

Here is how I created a kick-a$$ preschool graduation on less than $6 per child.

• Cheap Preschool Graduation Ideas
• DIY Preschool Graduation Caps
• Preschool Graduation Songs
• Preschool Graduation Coloring Pages
• 21 Cool Ways to Celebrate the End of Preschool

Ice Cream Preschool Theme

Hear that? It’s the sound of excited little voices cheering for ice cream! Dive into the delightful world of this cool treat with a unique ice cream-themed preschool module, perfect for science exploration and tackling hot days. Discover an irresistible collection of lesson plan ideas, totally free!

Unleash creativity with endless ice cream-inspired activities, from book ideas to art and sensory play, to math and science fun. Ready to scoop up the ultimate learning experience?

Mother’s Day Preschool Theme

Moms are simply extraordinary, don’t you think? With May being their special month, let’s explore some delightful DIY homemade gifts to express our love – like unique handprint art keepsakes! But, remember, celebrating mom transcends artsy presents. It’s about cherishing her devotion and warmth. It’s a delightful way to salute the extraordinary bond between moms and their little ones. Grab these Mother’s Day activities here!

Ocean Preschool Theme

Dive into the end of the school year with a splash of the ocean! Get ready for summer adventures with our treasure trove of engaging ocean-themed activities for preschoolers. Immerse your preschoolers in learning as they explore intriguing sensory ocean bins, create their very own sea stars, and have a blast with delightful ocean games – all packed into these ocean preschool lesson plans.

Get Under the Sea Plans for Toddlers

Rocks Preschool Theme

If you’re looking for rockin’ fun, look no further- we’ve put together an awesome bundle of ideas to shake up your preschoolers lesson plans. Join us in exploring the world through art and science as we take a closer look at rocks preschool lesson plans with our free download filled full of creativity! Pair these lesson plans with your Earth Day preschool theme.

Robots Preschool Theme

Get your circuits buzzing with an electrifying robot-themed preschool lesson plans activities! Robots are all the rage right now, and when you check out our free robot preschool lesson plans, you’re gonna love what activities they have in store! Little ones love our innovative robot activities. Come give it a try – you’re sure to be positively energized by the experience!

Summer Preschool Theme

Squeeze the day with lemonade, rock those tank tops, and dive into water play – summer is here with a splash! Get ready for an exciting adventure with our set of free and oh-so-fun summer preschool lesson plans, specially designed for preschoolers and toddlers. Let’s turn up the heat with the perfect mix of sunny activities and engaging summer lesson plans for your curious preschooler – trust us, you’re in for a treat!

Get Summer Activity Plans for Toddlers

Water Fun Preschool Theme

Water, water, everywhere! This preschool theme is a great way to beat the summer heat and soak up the water fun! It includes plenty of preschool water table activities, and even more! These water fun preschool lesson plans are a fantastic introduction to summertime and will perfectly complement your ocean, beach, or sea life activities for preschool.

We’ve got you covered with plenty of ideas for a water table activities for preschoolers, including book ideas, art and sensory exploration, and math and science fun.

Watermelon Preschool Theme

A watermelon preschool theme is one in a melon! This summery theme is an exciting way to kick off warmer weather. Download these free watermelon preschool lesson plans and jump into this sweet theme!

Toddler Themes for May

Finish up your April activity calendar with these April activities for kids – specifically toddlers. See all our toddler activity plans here.

FAQ About Teaching Themes for May

Spring Preschool Themes

Sarah Punkoney, MAT

I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

stayathomeeducator.com/