Categories Sensory Activities, Summer
Are you ready for some Summer Sensory Activities? Here are 25 ways your toddlers and preschoolers can learn, play and have fun this Summer.
If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times.
1. Summer Lemon Sensory Bin
Summer sensory activities don’t come much easier than this. Although this sensory bin is only sliced lemon and blue water, I was amazed at how long it kept my kids engaged. They just loved scooping the lemons, splashing in the water, and watching everything float around.
Related: 30 of the Coolest Water Sensory Bins for Summer
2. Seashell Sensory Bin
Did you get as excited by these seashells as I did? This seashell sensory bin is an easy way to create some Summer fun for kids. Sort them by size or shell type and help you younger kids learn some basic math concepts at the same time.
3. Frozen Sand Sensory Bin
This sensory bin is one of my favorites, and I discovered it by complete accident. I love freezing wet sand because when you hide toys in there, they create a wonderful little surprise for your kids as the sand melts. You’ll understand what I mean when your kids excitedly discover a rogue foot sticking out from the frozen sand.
4. Glittery Frozen Water Balloon Sensory Bin – Where Imagination Grows
Can you believe that these beautiful orbs are frozen water balloons? As far as Summer play ideas go, water balloons are a staple in many families. So why not save a few and freeze them for the next hot day.
5. Beach Safe Rainbow Sand
Did you know that you can make colorful sandcastles right on the beach? They’re also completely environmentally friendly so you don’t have to worry about them washing away as the tide rises. This play idea is fun for both kids and parents alike, so don’t be afraid to dig in there and have some fun yourself.
6. Color Recognition Fish: Ocean Sensory Bin – Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
This color sorting fish sensory bin has one thing that kids go crazy for. Fishing nets. These Kids Fishing Nets by USATDD are perfect for this activity because not only do they come in a variety of colors, they double as butterfly nets too.
7. Tropical Island Sensory Bin and Small World
This Tropical Island is just some sand, water, and sharks. Add in a few toys and you’ve got a little paradise to escape too even if you can’t leave the house.
8. Garden Sensory Bin for Kids – Active Littles
Summer activities for kids don’t have to revolve around the beach and ocean. There is an amazing amount of wonder just in your own backyard. Explore how plants grow, and how to take care of them with this garden sensory bin.
9. Shark Bay Sensory Bin
When I was thinking of different Summer sensory activities for toddlers I was tired of making water the base for all of my sensory bins. I wanted something new. So I made this homemade blue rainbow sand and used that instead. I loved how I could hide sharks and other sea creatures underneath the blue sand, and my kids would just find them by accident.
To find out how to make homemade blue rainbow sand read Shark Bay Sensory Bin
10. Sand Foam Sensory Play – Little Bins for Little Hands
I love how simple this sensory activity is. When it comes to sensory play ideas, having just 2 ingredient sand foam is one of the easiest. Get out your construction trucks and set up a work site. Your little explorers will love this one.
11. Watermelon Slime
You can’t have a list of Summer sensory activities without including Watermelon slime. Pushing and pulling the seeds in and out of the slime is a fantastic fine motor activity for kids. As a bonus, they can practice counting at the same time too.
12. Beach and Ocean Sensory Squish Bag – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Squish or sensory bags are a wonderful way to keep sensory activities for kids mess-free. I particularly love using them with babies who still love to put everything in their mouths. This way they can still explore all the little objects, without any of the danger.
13. Watermelon Sensory Bin
Here is another way to enjoy homemade rainbow sand. In this sensory bin, I used red rainbow sand and dried black beans (as watermelon seeds).
If you are going to go through the effort of making rainbow sand, be sure to save some. I have 3 different ways to create art using rainbow sand. The kids love making art with something new and different. Check out Rainbow Sand Art for Kids so see them all.
14. Lemonade Oobleck – STEAM Powered Family
Have you tried oobleck yet? If you’re new to oobleck, check out this video to see it in action. This Lemonade oobleck it hard when you apply pressure to it, but will melt and drip when left alone.
Which means you can roll it into a ball and then watch it melt in seconds. And you can do this over and over again.
15. Sea Foam Sensory Bin
Bubble foam is another fast and easy sensory bin filler that kids love. We all know how they go crazy for bubbles. So use it to your advantage and create some fun play ideas for summer.
16. DIY Moon Sand for At-Home Beach Play – Barley and Birch
Moon sand is so beautifully soft. I’ve used it before to make my Fake Snow Sensory Bin. But add a bit of color and you can create indoor sandcastles with very little mess.
17. Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin
Have you ever hidden chocolate coins in your sandbox at home? It’s one way to guarantee yourself a chance to sit down. Of course, you don’t have to use chocolate coins. Pretend money and jewels are still a fabulous pirate treasure.
Make a treasure chest out of an old tissue (or shoe) box to complete this pirate treasure dig activity.
18. Ocean Sensory Bottles for Kids – Active Littles
I mustn’t forget to include these sensory bottles in this list of Summer sensory activities. Bottles are another way to keep elements contained around babies and toddlers who want to put everything in their mouths. Kids will be mesmerized while they watch these fish floating around in these ocean sensory bottles.
19. Textured Sand Slime – My Joy-Filled Life
Use some textured sand slime to create an indoor beach activity. Add some shells or toy sea creatures and enjoy watching the slime stretch.
20. Ocean Pollution Clean-Up – Parenting Chaos
This clean the ocean play idea is one of my favorite summer sensory activities for preschoolers. Preschoolers are old enough to learn about the environment and how we impact it. This sensory bin is the perfect addition to a recycling or environment themed curriculum in your preschool classroom.
21. Ice Cream Sensory Bag
Who screams for ice cream? Everyone.
This ice cream sensory bag is a much healthier way to enjoy a bit of ice cream. Spread the sprinkles and make those little fingers stronger while the kids build their vocabulary and more.
22. Ocean Oobleck for Shark Week – Glitter on a Dime
How do sharks swim through oobleck? My guess is slowly, after all that’s the only way you can get through oobleck.
Enjoy this shark bin as one of your summer sensory activities or just to celebrate shark week.
23. Seaside Sensory Bin – The Chaos and the Clutter
Here is another beach sensory bin that doesn’t use water. The slices of pool noodle are perfect for building towers with, pouring sand through and creating patterns in the sand.
24. DIY Fish Sensory Bags for Babies, Toddlers, Preschool and for Kids – Active Littles
Can you make the fish swim around? Let your kids try with this fish sensory bag. If you draw a shark on one side of the bag your can count how many fish you can feed to the shark. Which would turn this into a fun math activity too.
25. Ice Sensory Bin
Playing with ice is a simple way to cool down this Summer. But what I love most about this ice sensory bin, is that the focus is on temperature as well as texture. Which is a great way to turn a super simple sensory activity into something amazing.
Get over 80+ pages of Summer themed play based learning activities and craft templates. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.
Are you going to try any of these Summer Sensory Activities with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
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