Summertime is one of the best times of the year to be a kid. My summertime memories consist of no school, late bedtimes, tons of fun, and lots of opportunities to get messy.
Occupational therapists love messy and sensory play because it helps children develop their sensory system, and provide opportunities to learn about and master their environment. For example, playing with shaving cream lets kids learn about foamy textures, and sets the stage for them to later be able to shave with it.
Many of these fun summer activities are naturally sensory based activities, like water balloon fights and relay races. Many kids love sensory play because it’s FUN, while others still need some time and practice to get used to different sensations.
Today, I wanted to share with you my favorite picks for sensory play activities for the summer season:
1. Tie-Dye: Tie-dye made a come-back last year, and as an OT, I’m here for it. Practicing tie-dye gives your child a TON of sensory input from the twisting of the shirts, dunking in water, and getting the dye on their fingers. Plus, twisting those rubber bands helps kids develop their fine motor skills!
2. Indoor Camping: If your child loves pretend play, they’ll love indoor camping. Turning down the lights and snuggling in sleeping bags is very calming to the sensory system. And making mushy, sticky smores is more than just tasty – it also helps your child get used to different textures on their hands and in their mouth.
3. Popsicle Painting: Popsicles aren’t just for eating. The long sticks, and bright colors make them great to use as paintbrushes on the sidewalk to practice drawing letters and shapes. Many children also benefit from the practice and play with a popsicle’s sticky texture.
4. Car Washes: A lot of children find it fun to wash their parent’s car on a hot summer day (I wish we still did too as adults!). This is because washing the car gives children the opportunity for water play, and something we as occupational therapists call “heavy work.” Heavy work activities are activities were your child either pushes or pulls, which provides sensory input to the joints and muscles. This input is very calming and organizing for the sensory system.
Of course, if you notice your child getting overwhelmed during any of these activities, don’t force it! Each child develops at their own pace, so you might just need to take a step back, but don’t be discouraged. Keep providing sensory play opportunities, so your child can learn how exciting it can be.
So enjoy those long summer days, and help your child develop their sensory system while having FUN!
Dr. Samantha Goldman is an occupational therapist who helps parents solve picky eating while having FUN! For more picky eating tips checkout www.theot4me.com
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and cannot and does not contain medical or therapy advice. Any medical or therapy information is provided as my/our personal experiences is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals.
