With the warmth of summer, parents often search for activities that will entertain their children, and this is no different for parents of children with autism. But did you know there’s a way you can promote summertime play while also supporting your child’s development and sensory integration? Summer sensory activities are a great place to start! The longer days and flexible schedules present a perfect opportunity to engage in sensory-rich experiences in the safety and comfort of your own backyard. Join us as we discuss the benefits of sensory activities, and list 10 fun outdoor sensory activities your child will love!
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Benefits of Outdoor Sensory Activities
Engaging in outdoor summer activities has a lot of advantages for you and your child. These activities provide a safe and structured environment to allow individuals to explore the world of sensory stimuli. Some key benefits include:
- Enhancement of motor skills. Many sensory activities involve physical movements and engagement. This can help individuals improve their motor skills, coordination, and body awareness. Improving motor skills is a great way to positively impact your child’s physical development.
- Reduction in sensory sensitivity. Sensory activities can help your child process and respond to sensory information. This can promote improved attention, focus, and self-regulation.
- Opportunities for fun and relaxation in a safe environment. Sensory activities can be fun for your child, while keeping them safe and relaxed. These exercises provide an excellent opportunity to de-stress, especially with more soothing sensory experiences, for children with higher stress or anxiety.
List of Sensory Activities
We hope you are excited about integrating sensory activities into your child’s play this summer! Here is our list of 10 favorite outdoor sensory activities to bring your child joy:
1. Sandbox
Sand play is great for digging, pouring, and building things. There is a lot of room for creativity to let your child’s imagination soar! Don’t have a sandbox? No problem! Try filling a tub full of these colorful beans instead and watch as your child explores.
Playing in a sandbox can encourage your child’s imagination!
2. Water Play
There are a lot of opportunities with water play! This could be playing in a sprinkler, spraying a spray bottle to water plants or shine up the car, or simply running water over our hands and fingers.
Jump into water play where the water is comfortable!
3. Swinging
Swinging is a classic activity for fun at the park, but there are a lot of benefits for your child! Playing on the swing provides a sense of rhythmic movement that can help your child regulate their sensory input.
Swinging is a great way to provide your child with a sense of rhythmic movement!
4. Gardening
Gardening is another fantastic sensory activity with many options. What would your child like to do? Digging? Planting seeds? Watering with a watering can? These are all great ways to improve coordination and motor skills!
Gardening can be a fun, relaxing activity for you and your child!
5. Summer Sensory Boxes
Who doesn’t love a good sensory box? Sensory boxes are a superb way to reduce sensory sensitivity, as your child can have sensory experiences in a soothing, relaxed environment. The possibilities are endless, but the idea of filling a little kiddie or baby pool with water and putting water balloons, plastic fish, or other summer treasures in is a favorite idea!
Get creative with summer sensory boxes!
6. Backyard Sports
There are plenty of sports and games you can play in the driveway or in the backyard with your child! Whether it’s soccer, tag, or bean bag toss, there are plenty of sports your child may love, and reduce stress and support personal regulation at the same time.
Playing sports can be a great way to improve your child’s coordination and self-regulation.
7. Blowing Bubbles
We’re forever blowing bubbles! This beloved sensory activity improves oral motor skills, helps hand-eye coordination and finger isolation, and can be used for social skills with turn taking or requesting.
Blowing bubbles is a beloved activity with big benefits!
8. Yoga and Stretching
Doing yoga poses and stretching with your child is a relaxing method to de-stress. These exercises can also benefit their body awareness, flexibility, and muscle coordination.
Stretch and de-stress with your child this summer!
9. Nature Walks
Take your child out on a nature walk! As you both enjoy the fresh air, touch natural objects like leaves, trees, or rocks, and talk about those textures. Regularly exploring textures can help individuals with autism enhance their tactile sensory processing abilities and expand their sensory repertoire.
Getting out in nature can help your child expand their sensory repertoire.
10. Sidewalk Chalk
Playing and drawing with sidewalk chalk is a fun way for your child to practice their handwriting or drawing shapes and lines. You could also draw a Tic-Tac Toe game, or a hopscotch board to practice physical movement on one and two feet, and more!
Sidewalk chalk can be a fantastic creative outlet!
Enjoy Your Summer!
Using the backyard for sensory activities is a fun, productive way for you and your children to enjoy the summer. They can improve their motor skills, sensory sensitivity, de-stress, and more. We hope you try some of these activities and find what works best for your family. Horizon Behavioral Autism Center is committed to providing support to families of children with autism and is here to help. Contact us for further information or questions!