Water is without a doubt, the easiest sensory filler you can get. You don’t have to prepare anything ahead of time, it’s easy to clean up, and it’s so much fun. Did you know that there are so many different kinds of water sensory bins? From freezing it to turning it to jello, here are 30 of the best Water Sensory Activities that you should try this Summer.
If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
Water Sensory Activities for Summer
1. Summer Lemon Sensory Bin
When it comes to water play ideas, it doesn’t get much simpler than this. This sensory bin consists of sliced lemon, water, and blue food coloring. The kids played with it for 45 minutes straight. Scooping the lemons, splashing and having a blast.
2. Frozen Ocean Ice Blocks
I don’t know about you, but these mini ice aquariums look too good to destroy. At first glance, they might look like a fun ornament that you make with the kids. However, they’re designed to be played with. Aren’t they beautiful?
Photo: Natural Beach Living
3. Frozen Sand Sensory Bin
I came across this sensory bin by accident. But I’m so glad that I did because it’s now one of my favorite summer sensory activities. If you’ve got any extra space in your freezer, then you have to try frozen sand.
4. Shell and Glitter Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are particularly useful for kids who need help calming down. Watching the glitter and shells swirl through the bottle is mesmerizing, a bit like watching fish swim, except you can carry one of these with you wherever you go.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
5. Flower Soup Sensory Bin
Flower soup is one of the easiest spring and summertime sensory activities you’ll get. Pick some flowers and add them to water. It’s hard to believe that something so simple will be so engaging, but it’s true. The kids love this sensory bin whenever I bring it out, they just can’t get enough of this nature play idea.
6. Whisking Bubbles
I absolutely LOVE this activity. In this summer play idea, the kids make the bubbles themselves, not you. This is one fabulous way to burn off some extra toddler energy.
Photo: Emma Owl
7. Tropical Island Small World and Sensory Bin
What is one of your favorite summer activities for kids? I love going to the beach, but it’s not always possible to head to the ocean. With a bit of sand and water, you can pretend to have a tropical getaway in your own backyard.
8. Dinosaur Sensory Ice
This is another superb ice based sensory bin. Here the dinosaurs are frozen in a mini ice age. What a wonderful way to explore history with your little dino-lovers.
Photo: Daisies and Pie
9. Moana Sensory Bin
Does your child love the movie Moana? If they do, then this sensory bin will be a huge success. Let your little ones go off on their own Moana adventure with some water sensory activities.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
10. Ice Sensory Bin
Make your own sensory activity out of ice and build some amazing ice sculptures. All you need for this sensory play ideas to work is a ice cube mold. One sleep later and you’ll be all ready to play.
11. Bath Time Tea Party
How many different ways can you play in the bath? Well here’s another idea to make bath time fun. Grab some things from the play kitchen and take them into the bath.
If your kids enjoy drinking soapy bath water, maybe give this idea a miss until they’re older and have grown out of that habit.
Photo: Crafty Moms Share
12. Water Play with Fly Swatters
Who can splash the most? With a couple of fly swatters you can find out. This water play idea will be a huge hit with your kids. I hope you’re ready to get wet, because you may not be able to escape the fun with this summer activity.
Photo: My Bored Toddler
13. Jumbo Droppers Water Sensory Play
Sensory activities for kids have the added benefit of developing a wide variety of skills. This sensory bin is also fantastic at developing toddler fine motor skills. All the squeezing, pouring and scooping is a great workout for little fingers.
Photo: Best Toys 4 Toddlers
14. Ocean Sensory Bin
Have you ever tried adding blue food coloring to water? The next time you do an ocean sensory bin, make sure you do. Just look how beautiful the colors in this sensory activity are.
I know that food coloring is famous for staining, but when you’re only adding a few drops into one large tub, you don’t have to worry about that at all.
Photo: Natural Beach Living
Summer Activity Pack
Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.
15. Gelatin and Water Sensory Baby Play
In all of my water sensory activities, I’ve never realized how gelatin looks just like little floating icebergs. How amazing would this sensory bin be with some penguins or polar bears thrown in? This sensory bin is great for babies and older siblings alike. Completely taste-safe and totally fun.
Photo: Simple Fun for Kids
16. Shark Sensory Bin
This sensory bin is perfect for shark week, or just to make bath time a lot more exciting. Grab some toy sharks and have your own jaws reenactment.
Photo: Mommy’s Bundle
17. Day at the Beach Sensory Bin
This is a fun new way to play with Barbies. Go swimming, get a tan and make sure to teach your little ones about sun safety.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
18. Frozen Flowers Sensory Ice Play
How beautiful do these frozen flowers look? You can freeze all sorts of things in ice for your kids. As the ice melts your kids will be delighted with all the things hidden inside.
Photo: Crafts on Sea
19. Antarctica Sensory Bin
This might feel like more of a wintertime sensory bin, but with real ice thrown in the mix this is definitely a play idea you want to try during those hot summer days. Penguins, whales, this is a fun way to learn about extreme habitats that some animals have to survive in.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
20. Water beads and Shaving Cream
Have you tried water beads yet? They feel amazing, I love playing with them right alongside the kids. Adding them to shaving cream is another way to explore these wonderful little orbs.
Photo: Gift of Curiosity
21. Water Beads Bath
Would your kids go crazy over this at bath time? Mine sure would. If you have kids that aren’t so keen, then this is one way to get them clean with minimal fights. Water sensory activities are incredibly soothing and can help your kids wind down after a busy day.
Photo: Best Toys 4 Toddlers
22. Water Play Tray
If you’ve got babies to look after then you need to remember this activity. A little bit of water in their highchair trays is a great activity. Babies are safely supported but can use both arms to splash and explore.
Photo: Learn with Play at Home
23. Arctic Sensory Bin with Water
Making icebergs out of styrofoam? How brilliant is that? The next time I buy anything from Ikea I’m going to save those packaging materials so that I can try this water sensory activity.
Photo: My Bored Toddler
24. The Ultimate Fish Tank Sensory Bin
This sensory activity looks just like a real fish tank. Complete with amazing colors, interesting plants and a bit of aquatic life to explore.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
25. Indoor Toddler Water Play Activity
Can you see all the different tools and supplies included with this water activity? Toddler will love exploring how sponges soak up water, learning how funnels work, and of course, all the pouring, scooping and making a mess that is essential for kids. Water sensory activities aren’t all about the water, sometimes it about the fun new tools you get to try.
Photo: Learn with Play at Home
26. Feed the Duck Sensory Bin
Do you love feeding the duck at the park? I did too until I found out how horribly bad it is for the ducks. But you don’t have to forgo the fun. With this sensory bin you can feed the ducks as much as you like. Watch them swim and just have some good old fashioned fun.
Photo: Toot’s Mom is Tired
27. Frozen Sensory Bin
Ice castle here I come. I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to be interested in movies (she doesn’t give two hoots about them now). Because then I can bring out some amazing sensory bins like this and she’ll actually appreciate it. For now I’ll just have to wait.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
28. Water Play with Ice Shapes
Learn about shapes, and colors with these ice shapes. As they melt all the colors will mix together too, and you’ll have a whole new lesson to talk about.
Photo: My Bored Toddler
29. Deep Sea Sensory Bin
Learn all about life under the sea with this sensory play idea for toddlers and preschoolers. Any list of summer activities for kids aren’t complete with a little bit of ocean exploration.
Photo: Keep Calm and Mommy On
30. The Snail and the Whale Virtual Book Club
Yet another beach themed sensory bin, but this one is designed to go with the popular book, The Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson. Having an activity that goes with your books is a fantastic way to build upon learned concepts and expand vocabulary.
Photo: Growing Book by Book
31. Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin
Young children will love this simple activity. Set up your water table with sand, water and sea animals for them to explore. This ocean themed sensory bin great way to set up a small aquarium in your own backyard.
32. Eyeball Soup Sensory Bin
Water play activities aren’t just for summer, you can also enjoy them for Halloween. This sensory soup idea is simply green water and plastic eyeballs. Younger and older children alike will have fantastic fun making eyeball soup.
33. Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter
This iceberg sensory bin is 100% taste safe which makes it a great sensory play idea for babies and toddlers. Little hands will have so much fun making their plastic toys dive beneath the blue water.
34. Winter Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are a great idea if you want to introduce sensory exploration to very young kids. Fill them with water and other small items and watch as they float around as you tip the bottle around. These winter themed sensory bottles contain pom poms, glitter and sequins. How easy is that?
35. Ice Hearts Sensory Bin
Get yourself heart shaped ice cube trays for this ice hearts sensory bin idea. Kids of all ages will love watching the ice cubes melt in a plastic tub of warm water.
Are you going to try any of these Water Sensory Bins this Summer?
Don’t forget to Pin the idea for later.
