You have never seen camping tents like these

I volunteer at a local botanical garden’s childrens program, and almost every week there’s some kind of water play for them. Both because water is fun and because it is hot outside. Whether you’re entertaining one kid or a bunch, it’s hard to go wrong with ice or water play when it’s hot outside. 

This frozen ocean sensory bin form Simple Everyday Mom uses water, water beads and ocean animals frozen in a balloon as the basis for the bin. She adds a fizzy element, which is also always fun, but you don’t have to. 

Speaking of freezing things in balloons, Kids Kubby used balloons filled with water to make frozen dinosaur eggs. These are fun on their own or in a sensory bin with trees, plants and more dinosaur stuff.  

Mommy Evolution has lots of good ideas for easy ways to make icy play for your kids. I love the idea of using a bunt pan to make a giant block of ice. 

The Mindful Toddler takes it on a smaller scale with toys frozen in ice cube trays. You could do some plain ones, some with toys inside, some with food coloring, etc. I did a fizzy frozen science activity for my daughter years ago that was with Jello powder, baking soda and plenty of glitter. I hid gems and little toys inside. 

You can keep it even simpler and just give your kids ice to play with along with some scoops or cups, like in this idea from Taming Little Monsters. And if you need more ideas for helping kids stay cool when it’s hot outside, Taming Little Monsters also has a great list of water themed sensory activities to do in the summer. Many of these involve ice or you could add ice to them (like the lemonade one or flower soup) but there are others that just use water to make the hot season more fun. 

20 Sensory Sand Crafts For Kids Who Are Tactile [Kids Crafts]

26 Sensory Calm Down Bottles To Make For Kids [Kids Crafts]

Calming Sensory Lavender Slime [Kids Crafts]

Dinosaur Swap Sensory Play for a Bit of Summer Fun