Nature is a fantastic sensory playground where muscles can move and sensations can sing. However, the transition to outdoor activities can be challenging for some. Sensory sensitivities may affect how a child perceives and reacts to sensory input, such as sights, sounds, smells and textures. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can incorporate seasonal sensory activities that encourage your kids to learn and play outdoors. Here are some of our  favorite outdoor sensory activities for the spring and summer months.

Create an Outdoor Obstacle Course

There are endless variations you can create that cater to your child’s skills, interests and therapy goals. Use Balance Stepping Stones to mark the path and a Rockin’ Rocker Board for them to balance on and climb over. Some children may need a little hand-holding until they feel secure enough to venture the course alone. Increase the challenge by timing your kids as they tackle the course. Keep it interesting by changing the obstacle course’s features every so often. Take advantage of the different textures outside– concrete pavement, grass, dirt. Bring your equipment indoors when you’re done to keep it clean for the next obstacle course.

Sensory-Friendly Gardening

Heavy yard work is a good way to get proprioceptive input to the joints and muscles, which helps kids get a better sense of what their body is doing. Mowing the lawn (pretend mowing is fine), raking leaves and sweeping are all great outdoor activities. Lifting bags of mulch, digging holes in the dirt to plant new flowers and controlling a garden hose are heavy work with a myriad of sensory sensations thrown in.  When done under proper supervision and with safe practicesin mind, these activities can provide the heavy work kids’ bodies often crave. After all the work is done, you can play catch in the backyard withWeighted Textured Balls for an interactive game or set up anobstacle course on your freshly mown lawn.

Find a Forest

Find a nearby park or forest to get your family biking, walking and picnicking. Have your child wear the Denim Weighted Baseball Cap for calming sun protection, and compression clothing to help self-regulate during the outing. Enhance the adventure with a Weighted Explorer's Vest to complete the look! Encourage your kids to notice the sights, sounds, and smells. Collect rocks and fallen leaves to create a collage of memories and prompt discussions of the sensations you experienced.

Play Ball

We all could do with a bit of hand-eye or visual motor coordination practice. Grab a set of Hand Eye Coordination ScarvesorEmotion Balls and engage your kids with a game of catch. Pushing aTherapy Ballaround the lawn can be a creative game with your own rules. You can useSpot Markersas bases and play a game of kickball. Race each other across the lawn onHopper Balls. Repetition improves skills. Keep the games encouraging and keep a log to see how much your child has improved.

Spring and summer offer abundant opportunities for your sensory-sensitive child  to explore. When you incorporate elements of nature, creativity and exploration you can create enriching experiences that engage the senses and promote your child’s development. If they are going to camp, read about these packing tips to help!

Want more activity ideas? Check out our collection of outdoor play tools.