With warmer days on the horizon, it’s time to explore sensory activities that make the most of summer’s unique experiences. While I haven’t tried every one of these (yet), I’m a big believer in the power of sensory play and want to give you some options.
We love sensory play in the Bedford house. It’s more than something to keep the kids busy. I see it as a way to build real-world skills.
It helps with focus, language development, fine motor coordination, emotional regulation, and creativity. Sometimes, it evens brings a little calm to the chaos…you know what I’m talking about…pure gold.
What I especially love about these summer activities is how flexible they are. Some are full of movement, others are perfect for quiet afternoons. And many use materials you probably already have at home, and all of them tap into the childhood magic of curiosity, exploration, and a little mess.
Without further ado, here are some fun, easy summer sensory activities your kids will love that just might give you a few minutes to yourself too.
1. Build a Bug Hotel Sensory Bin
This outdoor-inspired bug hotel sensory bin invites kids to explore textures from nature—moss, sticks, bark, and pine needles—while building a cozy little retreat for pretend bugs. Not only is it a creative use of natural materials, but it also encourages observation, storytelling, and gentle sensory exploration. We loved using real leaves and toy bugs to mix nature and play in the most imaginative way.
2. Sparkling Mermaid Bait Sensory Tray
This magical mermaid sensory tray invites kids to create their own glittery “mermaid bait” using pearls, gems, seashells, and glitter.
With a divided tray full of textures and a center bowl for mixing, little ones can scoop, sort, and decorate foam fish while diving deep into pretend ocean play.
It’s part fine motor workout, part storytelling session—and 100% mermaid-approved. Ours turned into a full-blown undersea adventure, complete with glitter storms and royal fish names.
3. Firefly Catching Sensory Bin
I don’t know about you, but we loved catching fireflies as kids. Isn’t it fascinating how they light up?
We created this magical nighttime-inspired firefly catching bin to bring the wonder of summer evenings indoors without mosquitos. Using black beans as the base and adding glow-in-the-dark fireflies, let your kids use tweezers or tongs to catch and collect them.
I think it’s perfect for quiet evening play or as a way to wind down after a long day outside.
Bonus: it encourages fine motor skills and imaginative storytelling about chasing fireflies under the stars.
4. Mini Aquarium in a Bottle
If your child dreams of the ocean, this mini aquarium activity is like bottling up a piece of it. With just a few ingredients, you can create a calming, swirling aquarium that’s perfect for on-the-go play or quiet time. We love using these as a cool down tool on overstimulating summer afternoons.
5. Letter Matching Seashell Bin
Here’s an incredibly simple seashell sensory bin that could be put together right at the beach or at home using easy-to-aquire materials. Writing letters on shells makes it a tactile ABC game that’s perfect for early learners. Or just let the kids dig through the sand to find matching pairs and explore the textures of kinetic sand.
6. Beach-Themed Sensory Box
No beach trip? No problem. This beach-themed sensory box brings the seaside home with sand, shells, mini sea creatures, and calming ocean hues.
Bonus tip: play ocean sounds in the background to make the experience even more immersive.
7. Summer Sensory Bin
This summer sensory bin is a mix-and-match of classic summer elements—mini toys, and ocean elements like sand, seashells, and sea animals—all buried in soft play sand.
It’s simple, but what makes it special is how open-ended it is. Add whatever you want for a summer theme and get to digging or make it a treasure hunt with a timer.
8. Soapy Sea Foam Sensory Bin
Taming Little Monsters hit this one out of the park. Foamy, fluffy, and surprisingly easy to make, this soapy sea foam sensory activity is a must on hot days.
Kids love squeezing the foam between their fingers, washing sea creatures, or just getting messy. Note: If your child has sensitive skin, opt for baby-safe soap or use shaving cream alternatives.
9. 4th of July Sensory Jar
Shake, swirl, and sparkle—this festive red, white, and blue jar is great for quiet time. Kids love watching the glitter float, and you’ll love that the supplies are all from the Dollar Tree. Make several and keep them in a basket for screen-free downtime.
10. Ice and Lemon Water Play
On sweltering days, this ice and lem summer water play is a lifesaver. Add real lemon slices to cold water with ice and give your child a ladle, spoon, or small containers. The smell is refreshing, the chill is exciting, and the real-world textures keep kids engaged longer than you’d think.
11. Under the Sea Water Bead Bin
Water beads are a fan favorite in our house. Their bouncy, slippery feel offers a totally unique sensory experience.
Add ocean animals, sea plants, and a few unexpected items (like mini treasure chests or plastic jewels) for an under the sea ocean water world kids won’t want to leave.
12. Popsicle Summer Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are some of my most favorite projects. This calming popsicle summer sensory bottle is filled with colorful popsicle beads and glitter.
It’s fun to make together, and once sealed, it becomes a great car toy or focus tool during quiet time. Kids love turning it upside down and watching everything slowly settle.
13. Sand Playdough
The texture of this sand-infused playdough is just the right mix of gritty and soft. It’s perfect for pretending to make sandcastles indoors, and the best part? It doesn’t stick to everything like wet sand does. Try using seashells to press patterns into it.
14. DIY Feed the Shark Sensory Bag
This mess-free feed-the-shark sensory bag lets kids “feed” fish to a big shark using their fingers. It’s a good one for car rides, restaurants, or keeping younger kids occupied during older sibling activities.
Bonus: it builds hand strength and finger isolation without them even knowing it.
15. Patriotic Ice Stars
These red, white, and blue patriotic ice stars are simple to prep and seriously satisfying on hot summer afternoons. Kids can melt them with warm water, salt, or just their hands. Add a scoop and cups for even more extended play.
16. Lemon-Scented Summer Bin
This lemon-scented summer bin elevates sensory play with scent. The lemon aroma is energizing yet soothing, and you can add faux lemons, yellow pom-poms, or clear glass beads for a bright, sunshine-inspired theme.
I love it. It’s great for preschoolers and kindergartners working on sorting and scooping.
17. Animal Washing Station
Add a few tubs of water to a bunch of dirty toy animals for an animal washing station. Can you say fun?
Add sponges, toothbrushes, or little washcloths to let kids scrub their animals clean. It turns into an open-ended play station with very little setup and even less cleanup.
18. Beach Ball Playdough Craft
Kids create beach ball-inspired patterns in playdough using colorful objects like beads and buttons. It’s great for color recognition and fine motor practice, plus it turns into a fun keepsake if you let the playdough harden.
19. Summer Sensory Path
This one takes sensory play off the table and onto the floor. A printable path guides kids through different textures and movements in this summer sensory path. Follow along for everything from hopping on squishy mats to walking across bumpy paper. It’s like an obstacle course that wakes up the whole body.
20. Ice Cream Shop Sensory Bin
Nothing says summer better than ice cream and this ice cream shop sensory bin delivers that and more. Using moon sand, kids can scoop ice cream into cups, add sprinkles (beads or buttons), and take pretend orders.
It’s perfect for dramatic play and encourages turn-taking if more than one child is involved. We paired it with aprons and play money for full effect!
21. Pink Lemonade Playdough
Pink lemonade just tastes like summer, so why not turn that into a tactile experience? This soft, vibrant pink lemonade playdough by Fireflies & Mud Pies smells sweet and citrusy, adding scent to the usual sensory fun. It’s a great way to introduce little ones to scent-based sensory play, plus the pink color is irresistible.
22. S’MORES Sensory Bin
This S’mores sensory bin is pure nostalgia. Kids get to scoop, squish, and pretend to roast marshmallows in a way that’s fun and flame-free. We added a mini campfire made from sticks and red tissue paper, and it instantly turned into a story-driven sensory adventure.
23. Lemonade Sensory Bin
With yellow rice, faux lemon slices, and little ice cubes, this lemonade sensory bin screams summertime. The colors are bright and cheerful, and it’s a great introduction to sensory sorting, pretend pouring, and imaginative stand-up play (hello, mini lemonade stand). Doesn’t your heart just melt watch your kids grow up.
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