Summer Sensory Activities For Toddlers

Summer is the perfect time to let your toddler explore the world around them.

With longer days and warmer weather, there are endless opportunities for sensory play that can keep your little one entertained while also aiding in their development.

Sensory activities are crucial for toddlers as they help in the development of motor skills, language, social skills, and cognitive growth.

Here are some specific and easy-to-set-up sensory activities to make this summer unforgettable for your toddler.

This post may contain affiliate links. Full privacy policy and disclosure here.

Exciting Summer Sensory Activities for Toddlers

Ready to dive into some summer fun? These simple and engaging activities will keep your toddler entertained while stimulating their senses.

1. Themed Sensory Bins

Materials: Large plastic bin, fillers like water, sand, dry rice, or shaving cream, and small themed toys

Create a sensory bin based on a summer theme, such as an ocean, beach, or garden.
Fill the bin with materials like water and seashells for an ocean theme or sand and toy insects for a garden theme.
Let your toddler scoop, pour, and explore different textures and objects.

Suggested Tools

White Rice – The base material for the sensory bin.
Food Coloring Set – To dye the rice in vibrant colors.
Sensory Bin – A large container for the activity.

Mud Kitchen Set – Includes pots, pans, and utensils.
Play Aprons – To keep clothes clean during messy play.
Kids Gardening Tools – Perfect for digging and mixing.

Homemade Playdough – All the ingredients you need to make playdough.
Essential Oils Set – For adding different scents.
Playdough Tools – Cookie cutters, rolling pins, and more.

2. Mess-Free Sensory Bags

Materials: Ziplock bag, hair gel or water, small objects like buttons, foam shapes, or beads

Fill a ziplock bag with a squishy base like hair gel or water.
Add small, colorful objects inside and seal the bag tightly (tape the edges for extra security).
Let your toddler squish and move the objects around, enjoying the texture without the mess.

Tools

Resealable Plastic Bags – Durable bags for the sensory activity.
Clear Hair Gel – To fill the sensory bag.
Ocean-Themed Toys – Small toys to include in the sensory bag.

3. Ice Play with Hidden Toys

Materials: Ice cube tray or small containers, water, small toys (plastic animals, mini cars, beads)

Freeze small toys inside ice cubes or larger blocks of ice.
Give your toddler tools like a spoon or spray bottle with warm water to help melt the ice and reveal the toys.
This cool activity helps develop problem-solving skills and keeps little ones refreshed in the summer heat.

Tools I Recommend For This

Silicone Ice Cube Trays – Flexible and easy to use for freezing small toys.Plastic Hammers and Tools Set – Safe tools for little hands to excavate frozen treasures.
Squeeze Bottles – Perfect for adding warm water to melt the ice.

4. Water Sensory Play

Materials: Kiddie pool, cups, sponges, and floating toys

Fill a kiddie pool or bin with water and add different objects like sponges, cups, or floating balls.
Encourage your toddler to pour, splash, and squeeze different materials to explore water movement and texture.

Tools You May Need

Pegboard – A sturdy base for creating a water wall.
Plastic Tubes and Funnels – Essential components for the water pathways.
Water Wheels – Fun additions to enhance the water play experience.

5. Nature Sensory Walk

Materials: A backyard, park, or nature trail

Take your toddler on a barefoot nature walk, allowing them to feel different textures like grass, sand, and pebbles.
Encourage them to collect leaves, flowers, or sticks to explore different shapes, scents, and colors.

Large Craft Paper Roll – A big canvas for the collage.
Glue Sticks – For attaching natural items to the paper.
Nature Walk Collection Bag – A fun bag for collecting items on a walk.

Why Sensory Play Keeps Toddlers Engaged

Toddlers are naturally curious, and sensory play taps into their innate desire to explore.

By providing hands-on experiences that engage multiple senses at once, sensory play holds their attention longer than traditional toys.

Additionally, sensory activities allow toddlers to experiment, discover cause-and-effect relationships, and gain confidence in their abilities, making playtime both educational and fun.

The Benefits of Sensory Play for Toddlers

Sensory play engages a child’s five senses—touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing—helping them develop critical skills while having fun. Here’s why it’s so important:

Enhances Cognitive Development – Sensory play encourages problem-solving, decision-making, and early scientific thinking as toddlers explore different materials and textures.
Improves Fine and Gross Motor Skills – Activities like scooping, pouring, and molding help strengthen muscles in the hands, fingers, and arms.
Encourages Language Development – As toddlers interact with different materials, they learn new words and concepts, improving their vocabulary and communication skills.
Supports Emotional Regulation – Engaging in sensory play can be soothing and helps children learn to manage emotions in a calm and controlled way.
Boosts Creativity and Imagination – Open-ended play encourages children to think outside the box and use their creativity to invent new ways to explore materials.