35 Of The Best Summer Sensory Activities For Kids
Our favorite Summer Sensory Activities for toddlers, preschoolers and older kids includes sensory bins, slimes, playdoughs, STEM activities & more!
Always supervise children during sensory play. See full disclaimer here.
Summer is the perfect time for festive fun and an amazing chance to mix in some hands-on, sensory-rich play! This season isn’t just about sunshine and popsicles—it’s an opportunity to spark curiosity in ways that feel like pure fun while secretly helping kids develop important skills.
It’s a little messy (okay, maybe a lot!), but that’s part of the magic! Sensory activities are a lifesaver when it comes to keeping kids entertained and focused, whether you’re prepping for a summer playdate or just looking for something exciting to do on a lazy afternoon.
Let’s dive into some hands-on sensory play this summer! You won’t believe how much fun your little ones will have soaking up the sun and exploring the world around them!
Why Summer Sensory Activities Are Awesome
Summer sensory activities aren’t just fun, they’re a fantastic way to let your kids explore the magic of the season in a hands-on, engaging way.
These activities give kids a much-needed break from screen time and boredom, keeping them focused, entertained, and learning. The bright colors and exciting textures stimulate their senses while encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving.
Plus, sensory play is perfect for kids of all ages and so easy to set up. These activities immerse kids in the joy of summertime with wonder and imagination. Embrace the mess, enjoy the giggles, and celebrate the magic of summer!
The Best Summer Sensory Activities for Kids
Here’s a list of our favorite summer sensory activities, complete with beachy vibes, sunny themes, and all the warm-weather fun you can imagine! Whether your kids are toddlers, preschoolers, or older, these colorful and playful ideas will create magical memories you’ll treasure.
Click the link in title or description for the full blog post with step-by-step directions, along with helpful tips and tricks!
Summer Sensory Bins & Dry Play Ideas
1. Lemonade Dyed Rice Sensory Bin
Bright, zesty, and perfect for summer, this Lemonade Dyed Rice Sensory Bin is a treat for the senses. Scoop, pour, and dig through sunny yellow rice. It’s a refreshing twist on classic summer sensory activities. Add cups, straws, and pretend lemons for extra fun!
2. Watermelon Moon Sand Sensory Bin
This soft, moldable Watermelon Moon Sand Sensory Bin smells as good as it looks! With its vibrant color and summery scent, it’s a standout choice for a summer sensory bin. Kids can dig, shape, and build for hours of juicy, mess-free fun.
3. Watermelon Dyed Rice Sensory Bin
Sweet and summery, the Watermelon Dyed Rice Sensory Bin is a playful way to bring fruity fun to your summer sensory activities. The bright colors and soft texture make it irresistible for scooping and swirling. It’s perfect for pretend play and fine motor skills!
4. DIY Kinetic Sand Watermelon Sensory Bin
This DIY Kinetic Sand Watermelon Sensory Bin is bursting with summer fun! The soft, moldable kinetic sand paired with scoops and tools makes sensory play feel fresh and fruity. It’s perfect for pretend play and hands-on learning during summer sensory activities.
5. Ice Cream Sensory Bin
Sweet, squishy, and full of scooping fun, this Ice Cream Sensory Bin with DIY kinetic sand turns pretend play into a cool summer treat. It’s one of the yummiest-looking sensory bins! Add cones, sprinkles, and scoops for hours of playtime fun.
Nature, Ocean & Small World Sensory Play
6. Taste-Safe Dirt for Sensory Play
This crumbly, scoopable Taste-Safe Dirt for Sensory Play is perfect for little hands to dig, pour, and explore. It’s made with edible ingredients, making it a safe and fun option for messy summer sensory activities. Great for little explorers who love getting their hands dirty!
7. Ocean Colored Rice Sensory Bin
Dive into beachy fun with this Ocean Colored Rice Sensory Bin! The calming blues and aquatic toys make it a go-to for imaginative ocean sensory activities. It’s perfect for scooping, pouring, and exploring sea-themed treasures.
8. DIY Kinetic Sand Ocean Sensory Bin
Bring the beach indoors with this DIY Kinetic Sand Ocean Sensory Bin! The blue kinetic sand is soft, moldable, and slightly gritty like wet sand, making it perfect for burying ocean creatures and tiny seashell trinkets. Click to see how to create this small world ocean sensory play activity for endless hands-on fun!
9. Coral Reef Sensory Bin
This colorful Coral Reef Sensory Bin brings the ocean to life with DIY kinetic sand, dyed pasta “coral”, and sea creature toys to explore. It’s one of the best summer sensory activities to spark underwater adventures and creative storytelling!
10. Ocean Moon Sand
Moldable, soft, and sensory-rich, Ocean Moon Sand brings beachy vibes right to your play area. It’s perfect for scooping and shaping, making it a must-try summer sensory activity. Add sea creatures or shells to inspire imaginative play!
11. Colored Rice Meramid Sensory Bin
Bright, colorful, and full of texture, this Colored Rice Meramid Sensory Bin is perfect for scooping, pouring, and small world play. Add mermaids, shells, and gems for an inviting sensory setup that keeps kids engaged and imaginative.
12. Mermaid Sensory Bin
Spark magical undersea adventures with this Mermaid Sensory Bin filled with shimmery textures and sparkles. It’s a whimsical choice for summer sensory activities, inviting little ones to dig, scoop, and pretend they’re swimming with mermaids.
13. DIY Kinetic Sand Mermaid Sensory Bin
Bring underwater imagination to life with this DIY Kinetic Sand Mermaid Sensory Bin! Soft kinetic sand, sparkling gems, and mermaid figures invite kids to dig, build, and create their own ocean world. A dreamy option for open-ended summer sensory activities.
Taste-Safe & Edible Sensory Activities
14. Jello Blocks
Jiggly and colorful, Jello Blocks are a taste-safe, wobbly wonder that kids can stack, squish, and explore. This edible sensory play is a cool, refreshing option for summer sensory activities. Just chill, cut, and play!
15. Jello Ocean Sensory Bin
Cool, squishy, and packed with sea creatures, this Jello Ocean Sensory Bin is a delightfully messy summer sensory activity. It’s perfect for little ones to scoop, squish, and rescue critters from the wobbly ocean depths. Bonus: it’s taste-safe!
16. Ocean Edible Playdough
Whip up a batch of soft, squishy Ocean Edible Playdough made with just frosting and powdered sugar—no cooking required! The silky, doughy texture is perfect for molding seashells, sea stars, and ocean waves. And yes, it’s 100% taste-safe and sweet enough to nibble.
17. Ocean Chickpea Sensory Foam
Light, foamy, and oh-so-fun, Ocean Chickpea Sensory Foam is a frothy twist on summer play. This taste-safe activity is perfect for scooping and swirling in sea-inspired colors, making it a foamy hit!
18. Chickpea Foam
Whip up the water from a can of chickpeas (aquafaba) into the fluffiest, cloud-like Chickpea Foam for an exciting sensory experience! This taste-safe sensory play foam is soft, light, and squishy play material that’s safe for tiny hands and mouths. Your toddler can scoop, squeeze, and swirl the foam, exploring its texture in every way.
19. Chia Seed Sensory “Slime”
Looking for a safe alternative to traditional slime? Chia Seed Sensory “Slime” is made by mixing chia seeds and water, creating a squishy, slimy texture for completely taste-safe sensory play! Your toddler will love how it feels in their hands, stretching and squishing it without any concerns if they get a little curious with their mouths.
20. Taste-Safe Chia Seed Sensory Mud
This gooey, squishy Taste-Safe Chia Seed Sensory Mud is the ultimate hands-on fun! Made with soaked chia seeds, it has a thick, slimy texture that’s perfect for little hands to scoop, squish, and swirl. It’s completely taste-safe, so even the tiniest explorers can play without worry.
21. Edible “Mud” Playdough for Sensory Play
Soft, moldable, and taste-safe, this Edible “Mud” Playdough for Sensory Play is perfect for muddy pretend play. Shape it into critters, pies, or anything kids dream up. It’s a fun, hands-on option for summer-themed sensory fun!
22. Edible Mermaid Playdough
Soft, squishy, and taste-safe, Edible Mermaid Playdough is perfect for little hands and curious mouths. With ocean-inspired colors and a fun mermaid theme, it’s a playful sensory activity that feels magical and parent-approved.
Slime & STEM Sensory Play
23. Mermaid Fluffy Slime
Whip up some Mermaid Fluffy Slime with this airy homemade slime recipe! It’s a fluffy, stretchy dream that’s perfect for creative summer play. Add glitter, shells, or tiny sea treasures for extra fun!
24. Glittery Ocean Slime (No Borax!)
Bring some sparkle to your summer activities with Glittery Ocean Slime! It’s gooey, glittery, and totally borax-free, so it’s safe and fun for younger kids. Stretch it, squish it, and dive into glittery sea adventures!
25. Ocean Fluffy Slime (No Borax!)
This Ocean Fluffy Slime is light, airy, and perfect for under-the-sea summer fun! Its soft, squishy texture makes it one of the dreamiest summer activities. Add sea creature toys or shells for extra tactile fun!
26. Erupting Lemon Volcano
Turn lemons into explosive science fun with this Erupting Lemon Volcano activity! It’s a fizzy, hands-on experiment that combines sensory play and chemistry making it a favorite among summer activities. Kids will love the bubbling reaction and zesty scent.
27. Lemonade Slime (No Borax!)
Zingy, stretchy, and completely borax-free, Lemonade Slime is a delight. It’s one of those summer sensory activities that’s both refreshing and fun to squish. Add lemon slices or glitter for extra sunny flair!
28. Watermelon Slime
Stretchy and squishy summer Watermelon Slime is a juicy addition to your summer sensory activities lineup. The bright red color and black “seeds” make it feel just like the real thing without the sticky mess. It’s perfect for sweet, squishy fun on a hot day!
29. Erupting Watermelon Volcano
The Erupting Watermelon Volcano is a fizzy, hands-on science experiment that turns an ordinary fruit into explosive fun! Kids will love scooping out the watermelon, adding baking soda, and watching it bubble over with colorful foam. It’s messy in the best way and a perfect addition to your list of Summer Sensory Activities.
30. Taste-Safe Oobleck Sensory Mud
This oozy, gooey Taste-Safe Oobleck Sensory Mud is the ultimate texture experience! A fun mix of science and play, it’s perfect for squishing, scooping, and pretending with dinosaurs or trucks. One of the messiest and best summer sensory activities!
Cooling & Calming Play Ideas
31. Painting Ice Cubes
Cool off while Painting Ice Cubes, a fun, artistic way to explore textures and color mixing. It’s a favorite for summer activity, offering hands-on fun and relief from the heat. Watch the colors melt and blend in the bin!
32. Mystery Water
Clear, colorful, and full of surprises, Mystery Water invites kids to scoop, pour, and discover hidden objects beneath the surface. This simple setup encourages curiosity and hands-on exploration, making it a fun and refreshing choice for summer sensory activities.
33. Fizzy Ice Cubes
Beat the heat with Fizzy Ice Cubes a chilly, bubbly twist on classic sensory play. This refreshing activity combines science and sensory fun, making it a standout among summer activities. Watch the fizz and feel the freeze!
34. Ocean Sensory Bottles
Ocean Sensory Bottles capture the calming movement of waves and glittery sea life in a mess-free, portable container. They’re a perfect quiet-time option for summer sensory activities. Just shake, watch, and relax!
35. Mermaid Sensory Bottles
Shimmery, calming, and totally magical, Mermaid Sensory Bottles are mesmerizing to watch as glitter and mermaid treasures swirl inside. These bottles are perfect for quiet play, calming moments, or adding a little mermaid magic to your sensory shelf.
Get Ready For Summer Fun!
Summer sensory activities are such a fun way to celebrate the season while keeping kids entertained and learning through play. From glittery slimes to themed sensory bins, these ideas are sure to bring a little extra joy and wonder to your day. So, gather some supplies, embrace the mess, and let the fun begin!
Have favorite summer sensory activities or tried one of these ideas? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear all about it!
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