Summer Sensory Fun: Ways to Add Sensory Play to Your Child’s Day

Summer brings longer days, warmer weather and more opportunities to get outside and play. It can also be the perfect time to intentionally incorporate sensory experiences into your child’s daily routine. Sensory activities don’t need to be complicated. They can be woven into everyday play and family activities while helping to support your child’s development and engagement. At OASIS Pediatric Therapy, our Colorado pediatric therapy team encourages simple activities to help children build skills in a fun, meaningful way.  

Why Is Sensory Input Beneficial? 

Our sensory systems help us understand and respond to the world around us. Providing a variety of sensory experiences can support body awareness, attention, regulation and motor skill development while encouraging participation in daily activities. Sensory-rich activities can also encourage creativity, social interaction and active play while reducing reliance on screens. 

Here are a few sensory systems that are especially important during play: 

Vestibular (Movement) 

Helps us understand where our body is in space and how it is moving. 

Activities include swinging, spinning, climbing, jumping and running. 

Proprioceptive (“Heavy Work”) 

Input to muscles and joints that helps with body awareness, coordination and regulation. 

Activities include pushing, pulling, carrying, digging, climbing and lifting. 

Tactile (Touch) 

Helps us explore and learn through different textures and sensations. 

Activities include playing in sand, water, dirt, mud, grass or sensory bins. 

Visual and Auditory 

Involve what we see and hear. 

Activities can include exploring colors, watching nature, listening to music or playing outdoor games with sound and movement. 

Sensory-Rich Summer Activities 

Create a Mud Kitchen 

Encourage visual and tactile exploration by setting up an outdoor mud kitchen. Use spray bottles, squeeze bottles, buckets, measuring cups, water with food coloring, dirt, sand and other natural materials for mixing and pouring. Children can create recipes, experiment with textures, and engage in imaginative play. As an added bonus, these activities help develop fine motor skills, bilateral coordination and hand strength. 

Work in the Garden 

Gardening offers excellent opportunities for proprioceptive input, often referred to as “heavy work.” Digging holes, carrying soil, pushing a wheelbarrow, watering plants and pulling weeds all provide meaningful resistance to the muscles and joints. Gardening also incorporates tactile experiences and can be a wonderful way to connect with family members while working toward a shared goal. 

Have a Water Day 

Water play is a summer favorite for many children. Try spraying each other with a hose, using water blasters, tossing water balloons, washing toys or splashing in a kiddie pool. Water play provides rich tactile input while encouraging movement, exploration and social interaction. 

Host a Backyard Field Day 

Classic field day activities are a fun way to incorporate both vestibular and proprioceptive input. Try wheelbarrow races, tug-of-war, crab walks, bear crawls, obstacle courses or relay races. Add your child’s favorite music for extra auditory input and motivation. These activities help develop strength, coordination, motor planning and endurance while keeping children active and engaged. 

Keep It Fun and Follow Your Child’s Lead 

The best sensory activities are often the ones your child enjoys most. Whether through everyday family play or pediatric therapy, finding activities that fit your child’s interests can make skill-building more meaningful. Whether you’re digging in the garden, splashing in water or creating muddy masterpieces, sensory-rich play can encourage development while making the most of summer fun. 

References and/or Sources: 

The OT Toolbox. “Heavy Work Activities.” www.theottoolbox.com/heavy-work-activities   

The OT Toolbox. “100 Things to Do This Summer.” www.theottoolbox.com/100-things-to-do-this-summer 

Harkla. “Sensory Seeking Child: Activities and Ideas.” harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-seeking-child  

Written By: Emily Stockert, OTR at OASIS Pediatric Therapy