Looking for a simple way to keep your child cool, happy, and learning this summer? A water sensory activity might be just what you need. Water sensory play can be both calming and exciting, and it is also a rich source of learning and development. Best of all, you don’t need fancy supplies to get started.
At Circle City ABA, we use activities like this to support kids through play-based therapy. You can try it at home with a few simple steps. Let’s walk through it together.
What Is a Water Sensory Activity?
A water sensory activity provides your child with an opportunity to explore through touch, sight, and sometimes sound. It usually involves a tub or bin of water and different tools or toys. Kids can scoop, pour, splash, or enjoy the feeling of the water.
This type of play helps build fine motor skills, language, and social development. It also gives kids a healthy way to relax and reset.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Simple Water Sensory Activity
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a water sensory bin. Here’s how to set one up using items you probably already have at home.
1. Gather Your Materials
You will need:
- A large plastic bin, bowl, or container
- Warm water
- Measuring cups, spoons, ladles, or plastic containers
- A towel or mat for spills
- Optional: toys like rubber animals, sponges, plastic sea creatures, or water beads
Tip: If your child has a favorite theme, try to incorporate it. For example, if they love the ocean, add toy fish and shells.
2. Fill the Container
Place your bin on a flat surface, such as outside on the grass, a porch, or even the bathtub. Fill it halfway with warm water.
Always supervise your child during any water activity.
3. Add Toys and Tools
Drop in the toys, cups, or tools you gathered. Let your child scoop, pour, and explore. You can make it even more fun by adding a few drops of food coloring or a little bubble bath.
You can ask questions like:
- “What happens when you pour the water?”
- “Can you find the red fish?”
- These little moments help build language and thinking skills.
4. Set Clear Start and Stop Times
Children respond well to clear routines. Let your child know when it’s time to begin and when it will end. You might use a timer or give a 5-minute warning before cleanup.
Have towels nearby and allow time for drying off and transitioning to the next activity.
Fun Water Sensory Variations for Summer
Water sensory play doesn’t have to be the same every time. Here are a few fun twists to try:
Ice Cube Scoop
Add ice cubes to the water and give your child a slotted spoon. Ask them to scoop out the ice before it melts.
Sink or Float
Gather small toys or household items. Ask your child to guess which ones will sink or float. Then, test them in the water.
Color Mixing
Add a few drops of different food coloring to small cups of water. Let your child pour them into the main bin and see what new colors appear.
Each activity keeps things fresh and builds new skills.
Benefits of Water Sensory Activities
Water sensory play supports many areas of development. It helps children:
- Practice motor skills like pouring and squeezing
- Learn about cause and effect
- Build language by describing what they see or feel
- Feel calm and regulated during play
At Circle City ABA, we incorporate water sensory activities into our therapy programs in the summer.
ABA Therapy at Circle City ABA
If you’re looking for more ways to support your child, we’re here to help. Circle City ABA offers play-based therapy tailored to each child’s needs. Our centers are warm, welcoming, and filled with hands-on activities that help children grow and thrive.
We serve children ages 18 months to 17 years and have locations in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. * Our Arizona ABA Therapy locations are equipped to serve individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and other developmental diagnoses. Our Scottsdale ABA Center focuses specifically on teens (13 years and older) and adults.
Contact Circle City ABA Today
Want to learn more about ABA therapy and how it can help your child? Contact our admissions team for more information on our services and how we can support you and your child.
Whether it’s a simple water sensory activity or full ABA support, every step you take helps your child grow. Let’s take the next one together.
