By: Laura Bueche MOT OTR/L
Summertime is the best time for some creative sensory play outside. Your child will have a blast learning and exploring with these sensory summer activities that won’t break the bank.
IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOUR LITTLE SPROUT
Garden Party!
Fill a tub with soil. Hide plastic bugs, coins, or dinosaurs.
Use shovels or hands to find the treasures.
Paint pots, plant seeds and watch them grow.
Overturn rocks to search for bugs and worms… or play with fake worms. Recipe here.
Is real mud a difficult texture for your little one? Start with “ghost mud”.
Recipe here
Make a Splash with these Water Activities
Water Fun!
Fill a tub with water beads and ocean animals for an awesome, hands-on aquarium.
Freeze toy animals, foam puzzle pieces, or pretend jewelry in ice. Have your kiddos use squeeze bottles, and eye droppers of warm water to get them out. Instructions here.
Green gross swamp sensory table. Recipe here.
Shaving Cream Car wash. Recipe here.
Let’s go to the Beach!
Feel the sand between your toes with these fun tactile activities.
Sand Slime. It’s ooey, it’s gooey…and sandy? Recipe: Here
Drawing letters in the sand, a perfect pairing of visual motor and tactile. Recipe here.
Kinetic Sand…semi sticky, and super moldable sand. Get it here.
Good old sand box play…because nothing beats the classic, pale and shovel.
For more summer sensory ideas, or ways to adapt these activities to your child’s needs and goals, ask your occupational therapist at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley. For more information about occupational therapy visit our website.
Have a great summer!
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