If you like to set up sensory bins for every season, these summer sensory bin ideas are just what you need! Be sure to add them to your master list of summer activities for preschoolers and kindergarten kids.
In the list of summer sensory bins below, you’ll find a variety of themed bins – from watermelon to ocean to pool noodles. This way, you can choose the sensory fun that makes the most sense to you and your students.
Some of the ideas are easy to set up, while others require a little more planning and prep work. But each of the summer sensory activities leaves room for changes in order to best suit the interests, ages, and needs of your students. In addition to being versatile, these bins touch on a wide variety of early learning concepts!
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Related: Sensory Play
Warm weather, abundant sunshine, endless outside time, and even a stray thunderstorm. These are just a few things that make summertime memorable for kids. These sensory activities will certainly add to the allure of sweet summertime!
What Are Kids Learning with Sensory Bins?
Sensory bins are such a fun and educational tool to use in the classroom. And they’re open-ended, which leaves room for the kids to learn and play as they see fit. All while getting some much-needed sensory input! This opens doors for kids to focus and learn about specific aspects of the activity that interest them.
As if open-ended sensory play weren’t enough, sensory bins offer a ton of other learning opportunities, too. Here are some key skills and concepts the kids will encounter with the summer sensory bin ideas:
- Sensory exploration
- Color identification
- Color theory
- Visual perception and discrimination
- Letter/number identification
- Cause and effect
- Counting
- Patterns
- Imaginative play
- Self-regulation techniques
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The skills and concepts the kids can learn will change based on the theme and set-up of the sensory bin. So, this list is really just for reference. The number of skills and concepts the kids can practice with sensory bins is countless!
Materials for Your Summer Sensory Bins
After years of teaching, I can confidently say that the key to a successful preschool activity is planning (with a big helping of flexibility on the side). And that starts with a good list of materials! Here are some supplies that can be helpful for your summer sensory bin ideas (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
The list of sensory bins below is full of some amazing ideas for summer. But remember, there are no rules! So, don’t be afraid to make your own sensory bin. You can choose a few items from the list above to create one. Or sift through your supply closet for some summer sensory inspiration.
Regardless of the specific setup, the kids will have a blast learning and exploring the sensory materials!
Summer Sensory Bin Ideas
Since there are so many great summer sensory bin ideas, I’ve split the list up into sections. The categories are ocean, summer treats (watermelon, ice cream, lemons, coconut), and general summer sensory bins.
Take a look through all of the summer sensory bin ideas listed below to decide on a few favorites. Then click on those links for a more detailed account of how to set up the sensory play activity for your students.
Ocean Sensory Bins
The best time to visit the beach is in the hot summer months. So these ocean sensory bins are an excellent addition to your list of summer sensory bins.
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Search for treasures beneath the sea foam in this ocean animal hide and seek sensory bin. In this activity, students learn to identify ocean animals, about ocean animal parts (like fins, tentacles, beaks, etc.), and build their language skills all while they play and engage their senses.
Even though this ocean sensory bin requires very few materials, it’s full of tons of hands-on fun! On top of all the fun, the kids will engage their senses as they learn all about sea creatures.
Aquarium rocks, ocean animal toys, and small nets round out the list of materials for the fish aquarium sensory bin. What an excellent way to explore ocean life!
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This frozen ocean sensory fun activity is a great way to learn about ocean life. And it’s perfect for cooling off during those hot summer days!
Try making your own play sand with the kids this summer. It’s a great material to fill a summer sensory bin for hours of sensory play!
With the sand and water ocean sensory bin, students experience the wonders of a beach day as they learn about some interesting sea creatures.
Summer Snack Sensory Bins
There’s nothing better than a refreshing snack on a hot summer’s day. Here are a few summer sensory bin ideas inspired by some summertime snacks:
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This coconut cloud dough has the most incredible smell! Pair it with coconut husks and some loose parts, like seashells, sea glass, and mini umbrellas, and this moldable dough will entertain the kids for hours!
Black and pink water beads, along with green scoops and bowls, create the most perfect color scheme for this watermelon sensory bin.
Kick one of your favorite sensory materials up a notch with a zesty twist. Extend the lemon oobleck fun by adding some kitchen gadgets like tongs, a colander, or a salad spinner!
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With this bright and sour sensory bin, students investigate a summer staple as they squeeze, smell, and taste the lemony goodness!
Children will engage their senses as they use scoops, spoons, and coconut husks in this scented coconut water beads activity!
You’ll only need a few items to pull off the watermelon sensory bin with soap foam. The black glass beads combined with pink suds make for a magical sensory experience!
More Summer Sensory Bin Ideas
The rest of the sensory bins in this collection do not have a particular theme. In stead, they celebrate all the best parts of the summer!
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Pool noodles are such an underrated (and cheap!) item to add to your list of materials. Full of so many skill-building opportunities, the pool noodle sensory bin is such a fun and unique activity for a muggy afternoon!
A blue sensory bin can represent the ocean, the pool, or even Independence day. It’s also a great way to keep the kids cool on those sweltering summer days!
Investigate what happens when colors mix with a rainbow pouring station! Grab a few pairs of protective glasses and some lab coats to turn this sensory activity into mad scientist dramatic play!
Celebrate Independence Day with this 4th of July sensory bin! Students practice a variety of early learning skills, like sorting by color and size, with the patriotic stars.
Which of these summer sensory bin ideas are you most drawn to? Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you give any a try.
More Summer Activities for Kids
The summer sensory bins here are sure to keep students busy for hours at a time! But don’t let the summer fun end there. Here are a few other great summer activities for preschoolers:
So many fun activities! And they cover so many important early learning concepts for math, literacy, reading, science, and more! This list is a great start to planning a summer full of learning and fun.
Summer Lesson Plans
Teaching is such a rewarding career. Especially when you’re teaching preschoolers. At this age, kids are still excited to learn, love to have fun, have tons of energy, and can absorb so much information! But even with so many rewarding aspects of the job, planning meaningful lessons each week can become time-consuming and stressful. That’s where my sister site, Preschool Teacher 101, comes in! We have hundreds of done-for-you preschool lesson plans, activity packs, and more.
Check out our Summer Lesson Plans! These lesson plans will guide you through a full week (or more!) of summer-themed lessons on math, reading, science, and more! Click on the image below for details:
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Perhaps you’re looking for something a little different this summer. Below, you’ll find a few other products perfect for summertime. Just click on each image for detailed information about each product.
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Do these products seem to line up with your teaching style? If so, consider signing up for a Preschool Teacher 101 membership. Members get regular access to our products at a steeply discounted rate!
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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