Whoa. If your kids enjoy water play and tinkering, this supply list is for you. (Hello, life line here.) And after many requests to know what’s inside our outdoor sensory play supplies bin, I knew we needed to make a post. A few simple outdoor sensory table supplies can turn an ordinary afternoon into hands-on play with water, scoops, pouring, and discovery – which, as a mom of three boys, I will happily take! If your bins are looking empty, this is the perfect time to restock your favorite outdoor sensory supplies and set yourself up for simple summer play.
RELATED: Use these outdoor sensory play supplies with our water games for kids.
Outdoor Sensory Supplies – The Basics
Does your child like making potions and mud pies? You’ll find everything your little one needs to let their imagination (and learning) run wild! And if the stars align, you may be watching it all from the sidelines with a cold drink.
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I love keeping an outdoor storage bin stocked with fun things the kids can grab anytime. In fact, you can find many of the ways we use these ideas in the 40+ sensory play ideas for kids.
Okay, okay, I hear you. Beth. WHAT IS IN THAT OUTDOOR STORAGE BIN?!
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Outdoor Water Pump
If your child enjoys water play, you are going to need a backup for more water. It is a little like giving a mouse a cookie…Grab this pump to keep your child’s play afloat. (literally!)
Water Container
Yep! This is your lifeline. This is going to keep your kiddos from coming in and out to refill!
Foldable Buckets
What is a potion without a collection of pine cones, sticks, and tree leaves? Use these buckets to help transport your goodies back to home base.
Play Pots
Keep these play pots right where your child can find them, reuse them, and reuse them again. Endless play.
Mud Kitchen
I saw this Mud Kitchen at the New York Toy Fair, and it had me at hello. Comes with the accessories you see in the picture.
Outdoor Easel
Don’t want the paint mess inside? Here you go! Guidecraft is excellent quality, and this outdoor easel is dreamy! Paint and wash away.
Plastic Jars
Is learning how to twist caps on and off a life skill? Absolutely. Winner for any play. Guess who will be opening their own snacks soon?!
Whisk
Use this outside to mix things up or indoors for bath time.
Bins
Bins are pretty much the MVP of outdoor sensory play and pretty much keep the play going.
Dish Sponge
Kids use these reusable dish sponges to wash baby dolls or cars covered in mud. Trust me, washing the dirty cars is a thing! A tried-and-true activity your kids will eat up.
Funnels
I’m all about using funnels to pour, tip, and help my little one understand velocity and the transfer of liquids.
Kid Droppers
These are great for improving your kid’s fine motor skills as they learn to squeeze.
Sensory Bin
A sensory table is an excellent investment in laying out all your supplies so your toddler can explore.
Large Tongs
Tongs are incredible for fine motor strength! Get yourself a few of these to get your little ones practicing.
Measuring Cups
Measuring cups to learn about math and science? Yes, please!
Large Pot
You don’t need to go out and buy something brand new. Use an old one from your current collection.
Pouring Containers
Tipping, pouring, whatever your kids use them for, you can be sure they’ll learn while they do it!
Salad Spinner
Weird choice, but trust me. There are all sorts of fun activities you can do with this supply!
Scrub Brushes
These have a rough feel, perfect for toddlers to explore new textures.
Squeeze Bottles
Strengthen those little hands with squeezy bottles. You can fill these with paint, water, whatever!
Squirt Bottles
I adore using these for Squirt the Numbers.
Strainers
An object that I can pour things into and watch them drain out. You betcha!
Weather-Resistant Outdoor Storage Box
Store all your supplies in one place with this outdoor storage box. We use this sensory bin indoors and outdoors throughout the year. An alternative to this bin is an under-the-bed storage container.
Related: Curious why sensory play is important? I have all the key points in the highlighted post.
What Types of Toys Do Children Need Outside?
Outdoor sensory play supplies do not require an enormous fenced-in backyard with three swings, monkey bars, and a slide. Instead, outdoor sensory play supplies need only 5-10 items, stored in a container for on-the-fly pouring, mixing, and transporting.
Children can use these items on the back porch or driveway. It is an “anything goes” bin that is ideal for child development and inquiry-based learning.
Once everyone is finished playing outside, we typically line everything up to let the sun dry it out. After dinner, we place our supplies back into the outdoor container and tuck them away.
RELATED: First time at sensory play? Read this guide first.
Outside Sensory Play Ideas
You can find us outside, playing in some quick-and-easy sensory bins daily. Occasionally, we will drop ice into our favorite 41-quart storage bin, and other times we’ll see what we can do with our almost-expired bag of beans. What remains consistent is the set of tools and supplies my children use to play.
- Bear Soup – Add colorful counting bears in water play and scoop them out with ladles!
- Button Water Play – Different sizes and color buttons in the water.
- DIY Watercolors – Make watercolors out of old marker pens!
- Flower Senses – Drop flowers in water play, an ideal spring activity.
- Lemon Play – Slice up lemons and put them in water for a simple sensory activity.
- Muddy Water Play – Water and mud? You bet!
- Paint the Ice – Squirt paint over the ice.
- Strawberry Sensory Bin for Babies – A taste-safe sensory activity using strawberries.
- Water Beads – Add these special beads to water and watch them grow!
- 20+ Ideas for Water Beads – Need ideas for those water beads? Check out these activities!
RELATED: Need outdoor supplies? Try this outdoor toy list for kids.
These Outdoor Sensory Play Supplies Are Great Fun!
This outdoor storage bin is one of the top things we own for playtime. We use it multiple times daily and include it in our outdoor water play. Which outdoor sensory supplies will you add to your playtime?
Here is how the Reggio Emilia approach relates to sensory play.
More Outdoor Sensory Play Ideas for Kids
- How to Introduce Sensory Play
- Kinetic Sand for Kids – 20+ Ways to Play
- Sensory Bins for Kids
- Water Beads for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
Use items you have in your kitchen for sensory play. Kitchen items explore size, shape, capacity, movement, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and discovery. My favorite items for sensory play are muffin tins, large ladles, ice cube trays, funnels, and whisks.
Add a few drops of food coloring to water or freeze water in muffin trays to make water sensory play more exciting. Water play is a category of the 101+ preschool activities we have listed. They are chef’s kiss!
Making sure your child is safe is a top priority. When starting sensory play with babies or young children, sit close and ensure there are no items your child will choke on. Here is my guide to introducing sensory play.
Hi,
What do you do with the shower curtain? Just curious. Adding to my amazon cart as we speak (type)
Hey Mandy!
I use the shower curtain as my "buffer zone". This keeps beans from sprouting between the deck cracks and blue paint getting on the deck. 🙂 If it gets wet, I just hang it over the rail to dry until the following day.
Beth