Summer Sensory & Toddler Storytime
Bears, bugs, and ice cream, oh my! Choose two of the following summer-themed sensory storytime books and pair them with a few of these songs, crafts, and sensory play ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Toddler or Sensory Storytime for ages two and up. Visit The Youth Desk’s Sensory Storytime page for more ideas and detailed guidance.
Summer Toddler & Sensory Storytime Books
Summer Sensory Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Here are my favorite summer-themed songs and rhymes for toddlers and children of all abilities.
There’s Something in the Forest with Puppets
Hide puppets of each creature in a bin, behind a board, etc., and reveal them when appropriate. You can swap out “forest” for ocean, pond, etc.
There’s something in the forest,
Now what can it be?
There’s something in the forest
That I can’t really see.
Hear its funny sound….
GROWL-GROWL-GROWL.
A BEAR is what I found! (Pull out bear puppet)
GROWL-GROWL-GROWL.
THUMP–THUMP–THUMP…Rabbit
SQUEAK–SQUEAK–SQUEAK…Mouse
WHO-WHO-WHO…Owl
(Credit: SurLaLune Storytime)
Butterfly in the Air with Scarves
Sing to the tune “Do Your Ears Hang Low.” Distribute scarves or paper butterflies for attendees to flutter along.
Put your butterfly in the air
Hold it high and leave it there.
Put your butterfly on your back
Now please lay it in your lap.
Wave your butterfly at the door
Now tap it on the floor.
Hold your butterfly up high
And shake it in the sky.
Now once more lay it in your lap
And now we’ll clap, clap, clap!
The Waves on the Beach Movement Song
Sing to the tune “Wheels on the Bus.”
The waves on the beach go up and down (wave arms or whole body up and down)
Up and down, up and down
The waves on the beach go up and down
All day long
The clams on the beach open and shut…(open and shut hands)
The seagulls on the beach go flap, flap, flap…(flap arms)
The fishies at the beach go swim, swim, swim…(hold palms together and swim them like a fish)
If You’re Going to the Pool Movement Song
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit
If you’re going to the pool, then a suit will keep you cool
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit.
If you’re going to the pool, wear your hat…flip flops…sunglasses…
(Credit: Storytime Katie)
Bubble Bubble Pop Flannel Board
Place flannel or cardstock printouts of colorful fish on a board as you sing.
One little red fish swimming in the water (Hold up one finger, then swim hands)
Swimming in the water, swimming in the water (Swim hands)
One little red fish swimming in the water (Hold up one finger, then swim hands)
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, POP! (Cup hands like holding a bubble and make them bigger, bigger, and clap!)
Two little yellow fish…
Three little blue fish…
Summer Sensory Play & Craft Activities
Ending storytime with free play provides children and their caregivers with an excellent opportunity to explore and socialize. Set out any puppets or flannel board pieces you used during storytime for attendees to enjoy, and offer one of these great summer-themed play activities.
Sandpaper Art
Provide sandpaper and crayons; that’s it! Let attendees get creative as they feel the scratchy texture, feel the rumble of a crayon on the paper, and see their artwork. Taping the sandpaper to the table is helpful for ages two and three.
Sponge Paint Ice Cream Art
A fun and creative craft for all ages! Provide construction paper, a brown paper triangle, a gluestick, sponges cut into circles (or cotton balls with clothespin handles), and paint. Encourage kids to glue their triangle to the paper and dab the paint to make colorful ice cream scoops. I recommend having a container of baby wipes at each table for easy clean-up.
Beach Sand Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with play sand, beach toys, and shells, and let kids scoop, sort, and sift. Kinetic Sand is my favorite sand for filling small bins, but Play Sand is more economical for larger ones, such as water tables or kiddie pools.
Bug Counting & Sorting
These colorful bugs can be used repeatedly in numerous ways! Set them out for kiddos to play with, in a sensory bin, or alongside other colorful items to count or sort. I’ve had this $14 set from Amazon for 5 years, and it’s still going strong. The same set, in different packaging, is available at Walmart.
Summer Animal Puppets
Nothing captures a baby’s attention quite like an animal puppet. Set one or more out for free play or walk around to let kiddos “pet” them. Our Folkmanis Black Bear Hand Puppet has been well-loved in both our baby and preschool storytimes for years and is also available via Amazon. Other summer puppets could include a frog, a moose, a butterfly, or a bee.
