Behavioral Insights Team
December 15, 2024
Fun outdoor activities that support learning, development, and therapeutic goals during the summer months.
Summer break doesn't mean a break from learning! In fact, the warm weather and extra time together offer the perfect opportunity to practice skills in fun, natural settings. These activities support your child's therapeutic goals while creating joyful summer memories.
Here are creative summer activities designed specifically for children in therapy—no special equipment or expensive outings required!
Simple sidewalk chalk can target multiple therapeutic goals all at once!
🎯 Therapeutic Benefits: Fine motor skills, gross motor coordination, color recognition, following directions
Water activities provide amazing sensory input and learning opportunities.
Practice water tolerance, taking turns, and social play with other children
Pour, measure, and experiment with sinking/floating objects
Fill spray bottles with colored water and create art on paper or pavement
Wash toy cars with soapy water, sponges, and brushes for fine motor practice
🎯 Therapeutic Benefits: Sensory processing, hand-eye coordination, following multi-step directions, sharing and turn-taking
Gardening teaches patience, responsibility, and provides rich sensory experiences.
Dig, plant seeds, water daily, and watch growth over time
Create a habitat for insects using natural materials
Collect and sort leaves, rocks, sticks by size, color, or texture
Set up mini athletic challenges that build gross motor skills and confidence.
Create a camping experience without leaving home—perfect for practicing new skills in a safe environment.
🎯 Therapeutic Benefits: Imaginative play, following routines, trying new experiences, communication skills
Combine music, movement, and learning for a powerful summer activity.
Dance when music plays, freeze when it stops—great for impulse control!
Skills: Listening, self-regulation, body control
Hold different poses when music stops—"Be a tree!" "Be a robot!"
Skills: Following directions, creativity, balance
Make instruments from household items and march around the yard
Skills: Rhythm, creativity, coordination
"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" or "If You're Happy and You Know It"
Skills: Body awareness, sequencing, language
Our team can help you create a summer plan that keeps your child engaged, learning, and making progress toward their goals.