Summer is a wonderful time to take sensory play outdoors together. Warm air, longer daylight hours, natural sounds, and changing outdoor textures all create rich opportunities for children to explore through their senses. With a simple setup, outdoor spaces can become calm, engaging places that support curiosity, regulation, and play that is simple and accessible for everyone.
How to use a dark den outside?
Using a dark den outside creates a sheltered, flexible space that reduces sensory overwhelm while still connecting to the outdoors. With soft lighting, shade, and sensory materials, it can be a calm retreat or an engaging sensory space for everyone, including individuals using a wheelchair.
The dark den can be used for a varieties of activities, including:
Picnics under the sky with delicious snacks
Cozy outdoor storytelling with favourite books or made-up tales
Music and calming nature sounds drifting through the garden
Bubble watching
Hands-on nature play with leaves, stones, sticks, and soft textures
Simple water play with pouring, splashing, and cooling off in hot weather
No outdoor project is complete without Johnny the tractor. Durable enough for bumps and bounces, Johnny is equipped to accompany young farm lovers on their next garden adventure. (Not suitable or recommended for wet environments.)
Summer and bubbles go hand in hand! The Fubbles Bubble Machine fills the air with a steady stream of bubbles to chase, pop, and watch float by, all at the press of a switch. A simple activity that brings plenty of smiles and sensory fun.
Powerlink 4 provides access to any electrical device with a single switch, opening up new ways to participate in outdoor activities. Run a lemonade stand, stay cool with a fan, bring pinwheels to life, lend a hand in the garden, or enjoy an unforgettable water fight.
With Powerlink 4, summer adventures are full of possibilities!
Made from recycled plastic, these durable, versatile trays are lightweight and easy to use indoors or outdoors for sorting, sensory play, and exploration. Pair with the adjustable metal stand, which can be raised to a wheelchair-accessible height.
