As the weather gets warmer and allows for more fun in the sun, it’s always nice to introduce exciting, new sensory and creative activities to keep your little learners engaged. In this post, we share seven ideas for easy, DIY, summer-themed activities you can try with children ages 1-5+!
Sidewalk Chalk Paint
For toddlers/ages 1-3
Ingredients/Materials:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Food colouring
- Mixing bowl
- Small cups or containers for paint
- Paintbrushes, sponges, etc
Directions:
- Mix together cornstarch, water, and food colouring to create washable sidewalk paint!
- Have children use different painting tools such as brushes, sponges, or even spray bottles to make this activity even more exciting!
A great activity for early literacy skills, discovery and sensory play.
Fizzy Sidewalk Paint
For preschoolers/ages 3+
Ingredients/Materials:
- 2 cups baking soda
- Food colouring
- 5 cups shaving cream
- Vinegar
- 5 cups water
- Mixing bowl
- Squeeze bottles
- Small cups or containers
- Paintbrushes
- Spray bottles
Directions:
- In the bowl, mix baking soda and water. Add shaving foam/cream and mix to create the paint base.
- Separate this paint base mixture into cups and then add food colouring to make different colours in each cup. Add to squeeze bottles or leave in cups to apply with paintbrushes.
- Pro-tip: Muffin tins make for a great paint palette!
- Have children create their designs on the sidewalk—using the squeeze bottles, paintbrushes, or other creative methods.
- Put some vinegar into spray bottles and spray it onto the chalk paint creations and watch as the baking soda and vinegar react and fizzle!
A great activity for early STEM exploration, creativity, early literacy and, of course, sensory play.
Simple “5 Little Ducks” Themed Sensory Bin
For toddlers/ages 1+
Materials:
- Clear storage container
- Water
- Blue food coloring (optional)
- 5 rubber ducks
- Green craft foam
- Scissors
Directions:
- Add 1-3 inches of water to your clear storage container and a few drops of blue food colouring if you choose.
- Use the green craft foam and scissors to cut out lily pad shapes of different sizes. Add these and the rubber ducks and voilà! Your sensory bin is complete.
- You can read the story/sing the song “5 little ducks” and then play in the water!
A great activity for story re-telling, building vocabulary, building early counting skills, and of course sensory play.
DIY Ice Excavation
For preschoolers/ages 3-5
Materials:
- A variety of small toys
- A large freezer-safe container
- Water
- Safe “excavation” tools, such as:
- Spoons
- Spray bottles with warm water
Directions:
- Freeze small toys in a large container of water overnight.
- Once frozen, offer children their “excavation” tools and water to help “save” the toys.
- Don’t forget to prepare for puddles as the ice melts or take this activity outside for simpler clean up.
A great activity for inquiry and discovery, science skills and exploration.
Bubble Snakes
For preschoolers/ages 3+
Materials:
- 1 sturdy bottle
- 1 sock (the opening should fit snugly around the bottle)
- Scissors
- Elastic band (optional)
- Water
- Dish soap
- Large bowl
- Food colouring (optional)
Directions:
- Take the bottle, remove the cap, and cut off the bottom part of the bottle (about 1/3 up from the bottom).
- Slide the sock over the bottom opening so that it is snug and secure. Use an elastic band if it is slipping off.
- Fill the large bowl with water, add a few drops of dish soap, and gently mix. Do not mix too vigorously – you don’t want the mixture to get bubbly.
- Dip the sock end of the bottle in the soap-water mixture, then blow through the top of the bottle. A flow of bubbles will form out of the sock. Keep blowing to create a long bubble snake.
- You can also add food colouring to your mixture to create “rainbow” snakes.
A great activity for colour mixing, sensory play, and early science discovery.
3D Nature Art
For preschoolers/ages 3+
Materials:
- Various natural materials, such as:
- Twigs
- Leaves
- Rocks
- Pine cones
- Flowers
- Acorns
- Etc
- Arts & craft supplies, such as:
- Paper
- Markers
- Crayons
- Paint + paintbrushes
- Glue
- Yarn
- Etc
Directions:
- Make an activity out of gathering the natural materials for the 3D nature art. Bring children outside and instruct them to collect small, natural items they might like to use to create their art.
- Once all the natural materials are gathered, have children explore in creating artwork that incorporates these materials.
A great activity for appreciating and building a connection with the natural world, creativity/imagination, sensory art.
Salt Dough Snakes
For preschoolers/ages 3+
Ingredients/Materials:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp oil
- Mixing bowl
- Tempera or acrylic paint + paintbrushes
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients together to form your salt dough. Don’t be afraid to involve children in this process! Knead the dough until smooth.
- Portion out the dough. Have children roll it into a long piece and twist or arrange to look like a snake or any other species/shape.
- Once all the snakes have been formed, bake them in the oven at 200 ºF for 3 hours.
- Children can paint and take them home the following day!
A great activity for sensory exploration, early math and literacy skills and great fine motor practice.
