Summer is the perfect time to engage preschoolers in sensory play, using items that capture the essence of the season. Sensory play is not only fun but also essential for developing fine motor skills, cognitive growth, and developmental skills. In this blog, we’ll talk about six ideas for sensory play activities that utilize seasonal items.
Sand Sensory Bin
Materials:
Clean play sand
Small shovels and buckets
Sea shells
Toy dinosaurs or animals
Mini beach toys (tiny beach balls, plastic rakes, etc.)
Activity:
Fill a large bin with clean play sand and hide sea shells, small toys, and mini beach items within it. Provide children with shovels, brushes, and buckets to dig, explore, and discover hidden treasures. This activity stimulates their sense of touch and encourages imaginative play as they create their own beach scenes.
Sea Shell Sorting and Counting
Materials:
Assorted sea shells
Small containers or trays
Markers or stickers (optional)
Activity:
Set up a station with various sea shells and containers for sorting. Ask the children to sort the shells by size, color, or type. For an added educational element, have them count the number of shells in each group and place stickers or markers on containers to indicate numbers. This activity enhances their fine motor skills, sorting abilities, and counting skills.
Frozen Fruit Sensory Play
Materials:
Assorted seasonal fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, watermelon)
Ice cube trays
Water
Plastic utensils
Activity:
Cut the seasonal fruits into small pieces and place them in ice cube trays filled with water. Freeze the trays overnight. The next day, provide the frozen fruit cubes to your children and let them explore the different textures and temperatures. They can use plastic utensils to scoop, mash, and taste the fruits as they melt. This activity is a fantastic way to introduce them to new textures and flavors while keeping them cool.
Beach-Themed Water Play
Materials:
Large plastic bin or kiddie pool
Water
Sea shells, small beach toys, and sponges
Blue food coloring (optional)
Activity:
Fill a large plastic bin or kiddie pool with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring for a sea-like appearance. Toss in sea shells, small beach toys, and sponges. Let the children splash, squeeze, and explore the items in the water. This activity promotes sensory exploration and provides a refreshing break from the heat.
Fruit and Veggie Stamping
Materials:
Seasonal fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, oranges, cucumbers)
Non-toxic paint
Paper or canvas
Activity:
Cut the fruits and vegetables in half and dip them in non-toxic paint. Provide the children with paper or canvas to stamp and create their own artwork. Each fruit and vegetable will produce unique shapes and patterns, allowing children to experiment with different colors and textures. This activity is not only fun but also fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
DIY Sand Dough
Materials:
1 cup of sand
1 cup of flour
⅓ cup of oil
Large mixing bowl
Activity:
Combine the sand, flour, and oil in a large mixing bowl to create a sand dough. Allow the children to knead, mold, and shape the dough into various forms. They can use cookie cutters, rolling pins, or their hands to create sand sculptures. This activity is a great way to develop their tactile sense and creativity.