8 SUMMER SENSORY PLAY IDEAS FOR TODDLERS: FUN IN THE SUN
When it comes to keeping toddlers entertained—especially in the summer you have to get a little creative. Their short attention spans are always ready to move on to the next cool thing! And, let's face it, between the sunshine, water, and messy play opportunities, it’s the perfect season for toddlers to dive into hands-on experiences. Why not lean into that?
This is where sensory play really shines. I’ve shared ideas for indoor summer activities for toddlers, but what about when you want to take the play outdoors? It’s a great way to enjoy a little fresh-air fun while supporting developmental skills at the same time.
Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of trial and error with outdoor sensory activities. That’s why today, I’m rounding up the most enjoyable and developmentally beneficial summer sensory play ideas for toddlers. Whether you’re a sensory play connoisseur or just getting started, there’s an activity every toddler (and parent) will enjoy!
8 Summer Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers: Fun in the Sun
Ice Painting DIY
Nothing says summer fun quite like warm weather and ice. But we’re not just using regular ice—we’re using colored ice! So, in that case, get ready for your little ones to spend more time licking than playing. Not to worry, though—this activity IS taste-safe, so they can enjoy a refreshing treat while having a little fun.
Grab your ice cube tray and fill it up with water and a few drops of food coloring. Before you set it in the freezer, make sure to pop a halved popsicle stick in each slot! This allows your kids to grab and manipulate their cubes easily. Once they’re frozen, lay some paper outside and let their creativity run wild!
Chances are, your kiddos will spend a good amount of time rubbing the ice along their arms, legs, face, tummies, etc. But this isn’t a bad thing! This is actually a great way to introduce new sensations and feelings in a fun and gentle way.
Mystery Water Box
My girls loved playing with this mystery water box when they were younger. It’s fun, engaging, and perfect for beating the summer heat! I used black food coloring to make this activity, but feel free to use a different color when creating yours.
Grab a clear, shallow-ish container and fill it with 4 cups of water. Depending on the size of your container, you may need more or less. Then, simply add a few drops of food coloring and toss in some sensory surprises for your kiddos to find.
You can use tapioca pearls, colored beads, sponges, or even small bath toys. Bonus points if the items offer a range of textures! This simple activity supports key developmental skills, such as hand-eye coordination and fine motor control, through engaging, hands-on play.
Summer Activity Pack
Looking for a fun break from all the messy play? Set up your outdoor creative station and hand your little one a printable summer activity pack! From coloring pages to mazes, each activity is perfect for encouraging creativity while letting the kids soak up some sunshine. Plus, the entire pack is designed to support different areas of development—it’s a win-win!
On the Mothercould In Your Pocket resource, you’ll find activity packs for every occasion, ready to go whenever you need them. But that’s not all you get when you join! Members also receive instant access to step-by-step tutorials, helpful play hacks, and kid-friendly recipes. Sign up today and enjoy the benefits!
Taste-Safe Fizzy Blocks
I’ve done this taste-safe fizzy block activity more times than I can count, and it’s a hit each time. You can definitely do this one indoors, but why not take it outside if the weather’s nice? Plus, you won’t have to worry about any colorful messes if your kids transfer food coloring everywhere (and, chances are, they will!).
To start, mix a little bit of baking soda and gelatin together. In a separate bowl, add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Once you have all the colors you want, pour them into the baking soda and gelatin mixture and separate them evenly into an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight and enjoy!
To enjoy this DIY science experiment, just let your kiddos pour vinegar over the blocks and watch them fizz away. Pro tip: Ask them to swirl the different colors together to practice color-mixing!
Colorful Water
If you’re a parent, you know all about the “joys” of bathtime… sarcasm fully intended. It can be quite the mission sometimes, which is why I rely on my trusty color-building bath activity to save the day! But, for a fun summer-themed twist, we can apply these same steps to a bin or small kiddie pool.
Just add a few drops of food coloring to a squirt bottle, fill it with water, and shake well. Then, hand the bottle to your kids and have them squeeze it into the pool. Repeat each time the bottle is empty, or the water becomes too dark. This water play activity is fun, easy to set up, and will provide hours of entertainment!
Kinetic Sand Castles
If you can’t go to the beach, bring the beach to you with homemade sand castles (and coconut milk smoothies!). Instead of using real sand for this activity, I recommend using taste-safe kinetic sand. It makes it a little less stressful when kids get it into their eyes or mouth!
To start, pour baking soda, sugar, cornstarch, and cream of tartar into a bowl and mix well. Then, in a separate bowl, add a few drops of food coloring to water. Next, add two tablespoons of colored water to the first bowl of ingredients and begin mixing. If the sand doesn’t clump while you mix, continue adding water until it feels nice and fluffy.
Once the sand is ready, pass out the sand castle molds and let the imaginative play begin! For easier cleanup, consider laying out a baking sheet for little ones to build their castles on.
Frozen Sea Rescue Mission
I’ve said it once in this post, and I’ll say it again—ice and water are holy grails for summer sensory play. And when you can combine them with a sensory bin? You get an activity that’s easy, engaging, and refreshingly cool—one your toddlers are sure to love.
Start by adding a few plastic toys to a container. After that, fill the container with water and add a couple drops of blue food coloring. Not too much—you want it to be slightly translucent. Finally, place the container in the freezer. Once it’s completely frozen, hand your little one a dropper filled with warm salt water to melt and explore the ice.
The goal here is to “rescue” the toys. This activity isn’t just great for fostering fine motor skills it also introduces a fun-themed challenge. This encourages toddlers to think critically, plan their actions, and engage in problem-solving.
Outdoor Sensory Wall
When it comes to summer sensory play, an outdoor sensory wall can’t be beaten. Think of it as a giant setup that brings together all the best parts of sensory exploration!
To make the most of a sensory wall, focus on incorporating as many textures, sounds, and colors as you can. Aside from being incredibly easy to create, this activity also doesn’t require expensive materials or fancy tools. Just a whole lot of household items and a little creativity.
To check out a few different themes, click the link in the title! And remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to play. If your kids are having fun and learning in the process, you’ve done a good job. You can also try this outdoor sensory path!
Why Is Sensory Play Important For Toddlers In Summer?
Boosts Brain Development: Sensory play slowly builds neural pathways in a toddler's brain. So, every time kids touch, smell, hear, or see something new, their brain forms new connections.
Supports Language Development: The more a toddler engages in sensory play, the more likely they are to want to tell you about what they’re feeling and discovering.. Whether it’s describing sensations or labeling objects, kids will slowly learn new words to help define their experiences!
Develops Fine and Gross Motor Skills: From using a dropper to painting with ice, sensory play encourages fine (small hand movements) and gross (body movements) motor skills. This slowly builds the foundation for successful independence and overall well-being.
Regulates Emotions: As a parent, you want to take care of your baby forever. However, you also want to see them grow to soothe and care for themselves. Summer sensory play introduces a lot of overstimulation (heat, noise, textures, etc.,) and mindful exposure to this helps toddlers learn to self-soothe over time.
Encourages Outdoor Exploration: With flowers growing and bees buzzing, there’s no better way to teach toddlers about nature than by encouraging them to play in it! Outdoor exploration also allows nature double as play tools, which, as you know, can come in quite handy at times!
Promotes Independent Play: A lot of summery sensory play is trial and error. While playing, they’ll consider things like… “What if I mix this color with that one?” Or, “What happens if I build my sand castles on top of each other?” This inevitably fosters decision-making skills and promotes independent thinking.
Now it’s your turn to get outside and make some sensory-filled memories!
Ultimately, kids care about one thing: having a great time. That joy and excitement is what keeps them engaged, and that’s where the real learning happens. Fortunately, these activities are both enjoyable and developmentally beneficial. That’s what sensory play is all about! Get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and have some fun with your toddlers.
If you’re looking for fun and imaginative independent play ideas, pre-order our new book, Playful by Design! It’s a guide to transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection, igniting kids’ imagination, and fostering independence.
Check out the Mothercould blog for more super yummy recipes and endless engaging sensory play activities! And, for more in-depth tutorials, helpful cleaning tips, and exciting activity packs, download the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource.