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summerideas

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

May 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have summer learning ideas for your littles. Too, I have a free backyard brainiacs space themed printable. Also, look at my post Free Summer Unit Study For Kids for more activities.

Anytime is really a good time to get your little learners outside with these fun summer learning ideas. Especially with hands-on ideas and room for free exploration, try one or two of these activities.

Teaching your elementary school children doesn’t have to stop in summer. A lot of homeschoolers school year round and summer is not any different than any other season.

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

We homeschool, we learn and take time off as needed. Repeat as necessary.

And young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful conversations with you. So, turn your backyard into a lab or make it a nature story time place.

First, look at some of these books for summer reading.

SUMMER THEMED BOOKS FOR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

I prefer living books first.

As I find them, I add to our list then add reference books.

8 Summer Books for Elementary Aged Children

Add these summer books to your little learner’s reading list. Use for read aloud or to add to a fun unit study.

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

This is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one’s own talents.

Miss Rumphius

Barbara Cooney's story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.

Andrew Henry's Meadow

Andrew Henry has two younger brothers, who are always together, and two older sisters, who are always together. But Andrew Henry is in the middle--and he's always with himself. He doesn't mind this very much, because he's an inventor. But when Andrew Henry's family doesn't appreciate him or his inventions, he decides it's time to run away. Many children in the neighborhood feel the same way and follow him to his meadow, where he builds each of his friends a unique house of their very own. But in town the families miss their children and do everything they can to find them. And the kids realize that it feels a little lonely out in the meadow without their parents.

Summer Story (Brambly Hedge)

Follows the activities of the Brambley Hedge community of field mice in summer.

Blueberries for Sal

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?

Jamberry

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

Pond

When Matt is out for a late winter hike he sees a trickle of water in the old deserted and junk filled dirt pit at the edge of his
neighborhood. With quiet appreciation, Matt can imagine the pond that must once have been there, shining in the early spring light, freezing in the winter for skating and the perfect place for swimming in the summer. Can Matt’s discovery transform a forgotten pond to its natural wonder? With his idea of making the pond whole again, Matt rallies his friends, Katie and Pablo, and together they work through the spring, clearing debris, moving rocks to hold the water, and looking for leaks. But would there be enough water to fill the pond? Can they bring the pond back?

The Sun Egg

A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. "It's a sun egg!" declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon
she and her friends discover what it really is; but not before the sun egg is lost and little elf begins a wonderful adventure.

This is a delightful story for young children about imagination and discovery from the world-renowned Swedish author–illustrator Elsa Beskow.

Next, look at some of these summer learning ideas.

SUMMER LEARNING IDEAS FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

  • Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt
  • Backyard Mud Cafe: An Easy Outdoor Imaginative Play Idea for Kids
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • The Best Summer Activity: Shower Curtain Painting
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • Alphabet Letter Fishing
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Sidewalk Chalk Outdoor Math Game
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Summer Fun Science Activity – Sand Volcano at Home
  • Bioluminescence For Kids: How To Make A Fun Firefly Craft

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

Finally, look at what is included in this backyard brainiacs printable for ages 7 to 11 with space theme.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE BACKYARD BRAINIACS SPACE THEMED PRINTABLE FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: freeprintables, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt

May 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some summer ideas to be sure your kids can stay inspired or recharge. Also, look at my post Free Summer Unit Study For Kids.

Too, if you want to continue summer learning, I will share ideas for summer learning.

Besides, summer is about relaxing or stepping back from your routine.

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt

Whether you go far or stay local, nature has endless ways to inspire you.

For example, there are outdoor concerts, farmers market, open-air movies (one of my boys’ favorites when done poolside) and even food truck festivals to savor.

Don’t forget stargazing, sitting around a fire pit or heading to the beach for more summer fun.

SUMMER READS FOR KIDS

Next, look at grabbing some of these fun books to read while you’re soaking up the sun.

13 Books About Summer to Read to Kids and For Kids to Read

Grab some of these fun books about summer to add to a summer unit study or to learn about the change in the season.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic

In a companion volume to Autumn: an Alphabet Acrostic and Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic, sandy beaches, juicy watermelons, and porch swings are just a few of the warm-weather delights featured in acrostic poems about summer.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

A Frog in the Bog

There’s a small green frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of the bog. He eats one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs, and five snails. And the frog gets a whole lot bigger. Then a hungry gator shows up, ready to eat the big fat frog. The frog opens his mouth wide to scream and out comes everything he’s eaten! And the frog gets a whole lot smaller.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

It's not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.Nick loves to read books--and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it's a great idea to teach his cats to read.

And Then Comes Summer

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

Summer Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Poppy Eyebright sought refuge in the mossy shadows of the mill wheel; Dusty Dogwood took to walking by the banks of the cooling stream. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it was prove to be!Also look out for Spring Story, Autumn Story and Winter Story!

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

Summertime in the Big Woods (Little House Picture Book)

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

We Were Tired of Living in a House: 55th Anniversary Edition

"We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree...."

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Blueberries for Sal

Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers' hearts since its first publication in 1948."The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.

Over and Under the Canyon

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!

Over and Under the Waves

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

Now, look at some summer ideas for learning.

Where possible, I included ideas for multiple ages.

SUMMER IDEAS FOR LEARNING

  • Free Summer Handwriting Worksheets & Setting Up A Writing Station
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling
  • 5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer
  • 7 Advantages to Starting Your Homeschool Year in the Summer

In addition, here are some fun summer ideas to cure the doldrums.

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt
  • How to Make an Ocean-Inspired Sea Shell Necklace | 8 Summer Beach Crafts
  • Summer Wood Crafts: How to Make a Teen Bikini Box
  • How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids

Finally, look what is included in the summer scavenger hunt for multiple ages.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE SUMMER SCAVENGER HUNT

First, look at the themes of the summer scavenger hunts that are included in this download.

  • water fun
  • nighttime summer
  • summer treats
  • summer sounds
  • camping
  • backyard & garden
  • beach ocean
  • summer adventure

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

May 2, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a summer sensory bin today. Also, look at Free Summer Unit Study For Kids for more summer ideas.

Lemonade is a classic summertime treat on its own.

Adding fresh, juicy strawberries just makes it even more cheerful.

This strawberry lemonade sensory bin captures all the fun and flavor of summer in a water sensory play activity that is hands-on, and perfect for warm-weather fun.

How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

It’s loaded with bright colors, fresh fruity scents, and clear, clean water.

With all this to scoop and pour, kids will enjoy engaging their senses while building up multiple developmental skills.

Real lemons and strawberries combine with reusable ice cubes to offer kids a sweet summer adventure.

A few kitchen utensils mean kids can also scoop and pour the ingredients for a fun sensory experience.

This activity is perfect for anywhere that a little splashing water won’t cause any trouble. No matter how you slice it, it’s sure to be a favorite.

SUMMER BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some fun books about summer to add to the reading day.

13 Books About Summer to Read to Kids and For Kids to Read

Grab some of these fun books about summer to add to a summer unit study or to learn about the change in the season.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic

In a companion volume to Autumn: an Alphabet Acrostic and Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic, sandy beaches, juicy watermelons, and porch swings are just a few of the warm-weather delights featured in acrostic poems about summer.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

A Frog in the Bog

There’s a small green frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of the bog. He eats one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs, and five snails. And the frog gets a whole lot bigger. Then a hungry gator shows up, ready to eat the big fat frog. The frog opens his mouth wide to scream and out comes everything he’s eaten! And the frog gets a whole lot smaller.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

It's not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.Nick loves to read books--and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it's a great idea to teach his cats to read.

And Then Comes Summer

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

Summer Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Poppy Eyebright sought refuge in the mossy shadows of the mill wheel; Dusty Dogwood took to walking by the banks of the cooling stream. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it was prove to be!Also look out for Spring Story, Autumn Story and Winter Story!

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

Summertime in the Big Woods (Little House Picture Book)

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

We Were Tired of Living in a House: 55th Anniversary Edition

"We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree...."

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Blueberries for Sal

Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers' hearts since its first publication in 1948."The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.

Over and Under the Canyon

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!

Over and Under the Waves

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

Too, look at more sensory bin ideas.

MORE SENSORY BIN IDEAS

  • Discover The Magic Of Nocturnal Creatures | Nocturnal Animal Sensory Bin
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

Finally, look at how to make this fun strawberry lemonade summer sensory bin.

HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER SENSORY BIN

Setting up a strawberry lemonade sensory bin is quick and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A few real lemons, sliced into rounds or wedges
  • A handful of real strawberries, sliced or whole (sliced strawberries fill more space and add more scent)
  • Fake ice cubes (requires adult supervision)
  • Mini strainer
  • Ladle or kitchen spoon
  • Plastic cup(s) for scooping and pretend serving
  • Large bin or shallow container
  • Water (enough to partially fill the bin for scooping and pouring)

Tip: Only fill the bin about 1/4 to 1/3 full with water. You want enough for floating, scooping, and splashing, without making too big of a mess.

Add the lemons, strawberries, and fake ice cubes to your bin.

Pour in enough water to let everything float and move around easily.

Place the mini strainer, ladle, and plastic cup(s) in the bin or nearby.

Invite your child to jump in and start exploring!

The real fruit contributes scents to the water, making the experience even more realistic and inviting. Plus, floating lemons and strawberries are so much fun to scoop and catch.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

October 3, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When thinking of an idea for kindergarten sensory bin ideas I came up with a theme perfect to cap off summer while introducing kindergarten concepts. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

What do you think of when you think of summer?

For a preschooler headed to kindergarten they have probably spent their summer in the sand.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Or at the pool, splashing in sun shower puddles, kites, sidewalk chalk, and enjoying drippy popsicles.

So, popsicles it is.

This is a fun and inexpensive way to practice letter recognition and matching, not to mention the other wonderful benefits of sensory bins.

Sensory bins are also fabulous for toddlers through middle elementary kids to introduce and reinforce new themes.

Also, they encourage creative play, and sensory input.

They can also be used as a fun way to teach simple concepts like alphabet matching.

Kindergarten is a time of exploration and big learning leaps making it a great time to introduce or continue using bins for learning.

Add another level of learning to the sensory bin learning by adding in some ABC tiles, books, or flashcards.

Also, this is one of my favorite books for learning about the letters.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of my favorites for learning letters, bright and fun with singsong rhymes. Kids love it.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Chicka Chicka Book, A)

There is always enough room on your child’s bookshelf for this rollicking alphabet chant that has been a children’s favorite for over thirty years!A told B, and B told C, “I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree” In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no—Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!

Besides my summer sensory bin, I have 10 more amazing kindergarten themed sensory bins to make your whole year of learning fun and memorable.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas

Whatever the theme you need to cover I can guarantee there is a creative sensory bin to go along with it.

  1. For another summer theme, learn How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learn to reinforce letter sounds and thematic concepts.
  2. Here, learn How to Dye Rice & Make Mini Sensory Bins
  3. Kids start with learning how to identify and spell out their own name first, making this Magnetic Letter Name Search Sensory Bin a great place to start.
  4. If you need something to do with all of those shells you brought home from the beach this summer, create a Seashell Alphabet Sensory Bin with them.
  5. These 4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities include a neat bat sensory bin
  6. Make a Construction Site Sensory Bin to go along with not only a construction themed unit but for community helpers as well.
  7. Use the Farm Harvest Sensory Bin to teach your child about the seasons of planting and harvest.
  8. Make teaching numbers a snap with a Number Recognition Sensory Bin that you can easily develop into simple addition and subtraction problems for your cold to figure out.
  9. Is your kindergartener reading sight words already? Check out this Kindergarten Sight Words Sensory Bin.
  10. This Apple Pie Sensory Bin can go in so many theme directions- A is for Apple, farm, fall, or a cooking unit.
10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create the Perfect Kindergarten Homeschool Set Up
  • Best Kindergarten Health Curriculum Easy Ideas For Activities
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
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Kindergarten Sensory Bin Resources

  • Sensory Bin
  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Sensory Bin Tools
  • Kinetic Sand for Filler

How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

You will need:

  • Large shallow bin
  • Shred paper filler
  • Craft foam
  • Wooden craft sticks
  • Paint marker
  • Pompoms, pipe cleaners, etc…
  • Alpha tiles/letters
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

First, start by adding a base layer to your sensory bin.

A shredded paper from the dollar store is a great choice because it’s inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors, and is reusable for many applications.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

I also threw in some colorful pom poms to give it a little more splash of color.

Twist some pipe cleaners around your finger to make a fun little spring shape that adds more color, texture, and dimension to your bin.

And add some letter beads to continue with the ABC theme in our bin.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Cut out popsicle shapes, twice, you will need a front and back for every popsicle.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Run a line of hot glue along the top and sides of one half and then press the other piece onto the top and let it cool.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Now on the popsicle use a paint marker, sharpies run, to write either a lowercase or capital letter

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Finally, write the opposite letter (lowercase or uppercase) on a stick.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Place “popsicles” in the sensory bin either together or separate with some buried to encourage your child to search through for matches.

You can also add in cups, scoops, tongs, spoons, etc. for your child to investigate the filler and learn about measuring and more.

I highly recommend capping off this activity with a real popsicle to enjoy.

10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, kindergarten, sensory bin, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

June 2, 2024 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I’m showing you how easy it is to make a summer theme watermelon sensory bin that is perfect for play and learning. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

What may seem just like a fun container of rice is so much more than just play!

There are many benefits to sensory bins for preschoolers.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

And they can introduce a fun standalone theme like watermelon or be used as a springboard for a small unit study.

If you have not introduced sensory bins yet this is a perfect easy starter one that can be made into any size

You can spend a little time learning about how watermelons grow, planting your own seeds and watching them develop, and even taste testing different varieties to fill it out even more.

Make the entire week wildly watermelon themed with these additional sensory ideas which I have below.

Too, learn why sensory bins are such a wonderful part of preschool development.

Wild Watermelon Sensory Ideas

Grab Food Anatomy from the Julia Rothman series and learn a little bit more about different varieties of this delicious summer treat.

Include a taste test before or after the sensory bin to include even more of your child’s senses.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

We have also learned How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning, another great activity to involve several of the 5 senses and build hand muscles.

Make a Watermelon Squish Bag for a sensory treat that doesn’t make a mess.

I love that everything is contained in a tidy gallon zip top bag.

While slices of watermelon are fantastic on their own try putting a twist on it and get your kids in the kitchen learning all about following directions, measuring, and kitchen safely with a Kid Friendly Watermelon Slush.

These tempera paint sticks make for great painting projects and keep the mess to a minimum,

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

They worked fantastically for a quick W is for watermelon picture.

Watermelon Moon Sand is a unique texture that kids love to play with (messy warning, this stuff sticks and spreads).

8 Benefits of Using Sensory Bins

Next look at the benefits of using sensory bins in your homeschool.

  1. Sensory bins are a calming activity where children can play independently or with others.
  2. Scooping with cups or spoons builds fine motor skills.
  3. Picking up items with fingers or tweezers develops grasp important for prewriting.
  4. Prompt cognitive development as children sort,
  5. Talking about what they find or are doing in the bin builds language development and vocabulary.
  6. Adding letters introduces literacy skills like letter identification, sounds, and building words.
  7. Counting and measuring objects in the sensory bin introduces early math concepts like counting, sorting, and volume.
  8. When playing with others it teaches children to share through cooperative play.
How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Finally, look at how to make a watermelon sensory bin.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin

You will need:

  • Uncooked rice
  • red/pink food coloring
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Black beans or sunflower seeds
  • Containers and spoons
  • Optional-watermelon scent
How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

First, measure out enough uncooked rice to fill about 2” depth in whatever container you have chosen.

Stir in either liquid or gel food color along with enough hand sanitizer to help spread the color all around until you have reached your desired color.

Mix it up well and then spread out the rice as flat as you can, using a baking sheet if you like.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Stir in scent at this time if you are going to use it as well.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Lay your rice out in the sun to dry and stir every so often, the alcohol in the hand sanitizer helps it to dry fast.

Transfer rice to a shallow container for your sensory bin.

Sprinkle on some black beans or sunflower seeds for watermelon seeds

These are great for counting and sorting.

I happened to have sunflower seeds on hand and loved the way they looked as watermelon seeds.

Add in fun items for exploring like spoons, cups, bowls, mason jar rings, measuring cups and spoons.

You want items that can be used for filling, pouring, scooping, investigating volume, etc.

Next, include some letters to hide like W’s or even those to spell out w-a-t-e-r-m-e-l-o-n for a quick language lesson.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

I also included 4 wooden craft sticks to play with and these can also be used to form a w.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Have your child sort out the watermelon “seeds” for counting.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool, sensory bin, summer, summer crafts, summerideas, watermelon

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