10 Fun Summer Activities to Promote Child Development
As summer rolls around, finding engaging activities to keep your kids busy and entertained can feel daunting. Luckily, there are countless summer activities you can do at home that are both fun and support important developmental skills. Below are ten therapist-approved ideas that promote child development in creative and playful ways.
Sensory Activities for Summer
1. Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a simple and effective way to support sensory processing, fine motor development, and visual exploration. You can fill them with uncooked rice, beans, or pasta, and hide small toys or beads to encourage “seek and find” play. This activity targets tactile processing, attention, and hand strength. Since sensory bins can get messy, they’re best used outside.
Here’s a list of sensory bin filler ideas
2. Water Table
Water tables are great for cooling off while offering hands-on sensory play. Add small animals, toy cars, or dolls and have your child “wash” them with soap and a toothbrush to practice life skills. Don’t have a water table? A simple bin filled with water works just as well.
3. Outdoor Obstacle Course
Build an obstacle course using items like pool noodles, hula hoops, cones, or sidewalk chalk. Obstacle courses support body awareness, motor coordination, and impulse control. Let your child help design the course to encourage creativity and problem solving.
4. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Going on a nature hunt is an excellent way to combine physical activity with sensory exploration. Ask your child to search for specific items—like leaves, rocks, or flowers—or find items that match the colors of the rainbow.
Gross Motor Activities for Summer
5. Water Balloon Toss
Playing catch with water balloons is a fun way to work on hand-eye coordination and timing. Add a twist by creating chalk targets or setting up buckets as throwing goals for extra excitement.
6. Swimming
Swimming is a full-body activity that helps with coordination, strength, and sensory regulation. It also provides “heavy work” input, which can be calming and organizing for many children. Be sure to follow water safety guidelines.
7. Go to the Park
Climbing, swinging, and sliding at the park promote strength, coordination, and proprioceptive input. These movements also support body awareness and self-regulation while encouraging social and imaginative play.
Fine Motor Activities for Summer
8. Sidewalk Chalk
Drawing or writing with chalk targets handwriting and visual motor skills. Encourage your child to trace shapes, write letters or numbers, or create stories and drawings to build creativity and fine motor control.
9. Squirt Bottle Fun
Using squirt bottles filled with water (or colored water) is a fun way to strengthen little hand muscles. Let kids aim at paper, sidewalks, or chalk drawings for a combination of creativity and fine motor development.
10. Bubbles
Blowing bubbles helps develop finger isolation, breath control, and visual tracking. You can add a challenge by asking your child to pop bubbles using specific fingers or catch them between two hands for more fine motor engagement.
These summer activities are easy to do, fun for kids, and packed with opportunities to support important areas of development. Whether you’re working on sensory processing, coordination, or motor skills, these ideas are a great place to start.
If you have questions about your child’s development, contact us at Kids Place Pediatric Therapy. Our team of occupational, physical, and speech therapists is here to support your child’s growth every step of the way.
