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Summer Sensory Bins Ideas for Toddlers

The sun is shining and it’s summertime at last! Your toddlers and preschoolers need to play and you’re all out of ideas. Discover these fantastic Summer Sensory Bin Ideas for you to set up for your little one this year.

Collage of 7 different fun summer themed sensory tubs that kids can play with including beach, ocean and lemon scented play

Summer Sensory Bins

There are so many sensory bins that you could put together for toddlers during summer. Set up these great activity ideas outside in the shade for your little ones and make it easier to clean up their fun sensory exploration.

We’ve got a selection of Summer Time Favourites, Beach and ocean-themed Tubs and Boxes for sensory play

collage of sensory bins for summer fun with toddlers

Materials Ideal for Using in your Summer Sensory Tubs

The base materials are easy to find for your simple sensory bin fillers check out our list below for some starter ideas that are a huge hit with my kids

  • Water
  • Sand
  • Ice
  • Jello
  • Rice – coloured or plain
  • Shaving cream
  • Water beads (take care with your children with these)
  • Mud
  • Dish soap
  • Lima beans or other lentils
  • Pebbles
  • Sea Shells
Pinterest collage for Summer Sensory Bins and Tubs

Equipment for your Summer Season Sensory Play

We have included affiliate links to some of the products and resources as an associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

These different items are great for adding to your sensory trays and play this summer.

  • Coloured Sensory Bins – although a water table, sandpit or other plastic container will work for some of these fun ideas for your little learners.
  • Wooden scoops and equipment – don’t use these where materials could stain them instead look at the equipment below which is much more durable
  • Silicone set of sensory play tools including tongs and scissor clips great for working on those fine-motor muscles

Summer Time Themed Sensory Bin Ideas

These classic summer-themed sensory play ideas are such fun to set up you have to give them a try.

I love this Fourth of July “Stars and Stripes” Sensory Bin from Paper and Glue. With taste safe materials it would have been ideal for my toddler that used to put everything in her mouth.

Another cute and taste safe bin is this Water Melon Rice Sensory Bin from Little Bins for Little Hands. It’s easy to set up, and if your little one does put the dried rice in their mouth it won’t harm them. A big bonus put a lid on it and reuse it again and again.

Summer sensory tubs collage with sand and sea creatures

You can’t go wrong with simple ideas and this Water Sensory Tub from My Bored Toddler is that. Easy to set up and reuse time and time again it’s the perfect sort of tub that kids will spend hours and hours in.

Sunflowers always remind me of summer, and this Sensory Bin from Life Over C’s is so pretty. With bright vibrant yellow as well as some real sunflower features in it.

The last of our classic summer theme bins for toddlers is this Sensory Bin from Chaos and The Clutter. With lots of water in it’s sure to keep your little ones cool as the temperature rises.

child playing with ice and pudding mix in the garden

Try this simple edible Summer Sensory Activity Vanilla Pudding and Ice Sensory Tray. Keeps them cool and they can put it in their mouth as much as they want.

Under the Sea and at the Beach Sensory Boxes

Summer screams the beach for me! I want to go there, swim, play in the sand and have fun. These under the sea, ocean and beach themed sensory boxes are perfect for toddlers.

simple ocean sensory bin set up with taste safe materials

One of the first sensory tubs we did with our toddlers was an edible taste safe ocean sensory tub. The kids loved it and although it was sticky it was a LOT of fun for them to play with.

Another taste-safe alternative to our ocean sensory bin is this Ocean Tub from A Dab of Glue will do. It doesn’t look as messy and I love the sorting element to it.

If you know that your toddlers not going to eat everything then this Seaside Sensory Bin by Chaos and the Clutter is great.

You can make your sensory play large. Use your water table like this beach themed water sensory table from Growing Hands-On Kids. Simple to set up and encourages free play.

Why not try some of our Food-free Sensory Bin Ideas for Toddlers

Relive memories of the beach and building sandcastles with this Edible Sensory Sand Activity from A Little Pinch of Perfect.

With Shark Week during the summer, this Shark Sensory Tub from Mommy’s Bundle is great.

Why not use some colourful rainbow spaghetti in your sensory bins the full step-by-step guide to making dyed noodles is here!

Pinterest collage of summer sensory bins for toddlers. Text on the image reads 10+ Summer Sensory Bins & Tubs for Toddlers

Keep cool and explore the Under the Sea Theme with this Frozen Sensory Play from Natural Beach Living. Perfect for those hot summer days and it will keep your little ones cool.

This Sand and Water Ocean Sensory Tub from Fun Learning for Kids is simple to set up and ideal for your little ones to play with. You could even take the tub and creatures to the beach with you and set this up for your little ones to play with.

Add a little learning into your sensory play with this Catch the Fish Sensory Tub from Teaching 2 and 3-year-olds where you catch the fish and sort them.

Make your summer fizz with this Fizzing Ocean Sensory Bin from Wild Flower Ramblings. Check out the post for details of using the same tub but with babies that are sitting unaided as well.

Collage of sensory play ideas for toddlers this summer

More Summer Ideas for Toddlers

Toddler Olympic Games
Simple Ice Pop Recipe ideal for summer that kids can make themselves with 3 of their 5 a day included and a sneaky delicious way to get them to eat and enjoy new foods.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
collage of simple sensory tubs and bins for summer fun with kids text reads 10+__ Sensory bins for toddlers this summer
Author
Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.

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