Summer Sensory Tips: Navigating Summer Gatherings With Ease for the Sensory Sensitive Person

Summer gatherings are wonderful, but all that noise, activity, and new sensations can be overwhelming. This blog post, packed with practical occupational therapy sensory tips, will help you or your loved ones navigate summer parties, picnics, and events with greater comfort and ease. Learn simple strategies to manage sensory overload and enjoy the fun.

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Summer Sensory Tips

Summer! The days are longer, the sun is warmer, and the world around us bursts with new sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. For children, especially those with sensory processing differences, this vibrant season can be both exciting and overwhelming especially when it comes to group gatherings. Understanding the importance of navigating these sensory experiences in a way that promotes engagement, learning, and fun is essential this time of year. This guide offers a collection of practical and easy to implement sensory tips to help children and their families make the most of the summer events and gatherings.
Follow along as we discuss tips for navigating summer gatherings with friends and family with more ease and comfort with these action packed occupational therapy sensory tips. As always, discuss your concerns with your personal occupational therapy practitioner to get recommended sensory tips just for you.

Sensory Tip #1: Know The Environment

If possible, contact the host and find out where and any details about the location of the social event. Will the gathering be outside or indoors? Will there be any potential sensory stimuli present that you should be aware of? Such stimuli may include loud noises, large crowds, strong smells, bright or flashing lights.

Depending on what type of sensory stimuli may potentially become overstimulating, prepare ahead of time.

If loud noises are troublesome, considering bringing head phones, ear plugs, or even ear buds to block out some of the noise. Participate in heavy work followed by deep pressure to help the child feel grounded and more centered before or even during the event.
If bright or flashing lights are a problem, consider wearing a hat or sunglasses. If needed, take a visual break and find a quiet place to dim the lights or sit in the shade.
Big crowd? Consider participating in heavy work and deep pressure prior to the event. Have a designated place in mind where your child can go when they feel overwhelmed. Make sure the quiet safe space is away from any crowds, lights can be dimmed or at least in the shade. Bring calming tools such as a weighted stuffed animal or weighted lap pad, or even the easy to carry and travel with sensory body sock. Arrive early or late as it may help to the avoid large crowds. Leave when its best for you. Consider wearing a snug fitted tank top or compression shirt under clothes for added deep pressure and sensory regulation.

Sensory Tip #2: Maintain A Regular Schedule

Maintain a regular schedule. It’s important for children to maintain routines including wake up times, nap times, snack times and mealtimes. Too many disruptions in sleep and everyday routines can cause additional behavior problems and sensory overload.

Sensory Tip #3: Pack Your Own Food

If your child has food aversions and doesn’t like certain textures or flavors, pack a special snack, lunch, and/or dinner of preferred foods. Ask your child what foods they would like at your special summer event, go grocery shopping together, and pack your to-go foods together as well.

If the event is a potluck, bring a dish or two that is preferred by the sensory sensitive person in your life.

Sensory Tip #4: Wear Comfortable Clothing

If tactile defensiveness is a concern when it comes to clothing, make sure to wear preferred clothing. Consider wearing a hat and/or sunglasses if you will be outdoors or anywhere with bright indoor lights for those with light sensitivities. A snug fitting tank top or compression clothing can help the sensory system stay more regulated and grounded during times of heightened sensory stimuli. When choosing a bathing suit, find one that is comfortable, stays in place during movement, and does not cause irritation whether due to tags or seams.

Sensory Tip #5: Have A Discussion

Plan Ahead

Family and friends, although might have the best intentions, may not fully understand your child’s sensory needs nor sensory processing disorder.

If you feel comfortable, it may be helpful to make a phone call or send an email in advance. Discuss things to avoid that may cause heightened stress such as unwanted hugs or pats on the back, food aversions (see tip #3), or why you might step away with your child.
Write down a list of helpful hints, based on your child’s sensory needs, to help you stay organized during your conversation. Also send a follow up email after the phone call, laying out what you discussed as a reminder just before your arrival may also be beneficial.
If splashing water is an issue, let others know your concern and ask that they tell their kids. Of course, splashing is an inevitable part of water activities. Asking others to let the sensory sensitive child know ahead of time before jumping in, or getting permission before splashing can make a huge difference in your child’s water experience. Suggest a dialog if needed– “I am going to jump in. Would you like to move further away before I jump so you don’t get splashed?”
If possible, have your child wear goggles to help shield their eyes from splashing water. Practice wearing goggles ahead of time, play dress up and superheroes so that they get used to wearing them. Try the goggles out in the bathtub or shower as well.

Discuss Planned Events

Talk to your child about any upcoming events ahead of time including where you will be going, who will be there, and what activities will happen. Show pictures and videos of family and friends who will be in attendance if your child is unfamiliar. Here are additional ways to help support your child before attending any summer gatherings:

Listen to your child and ask questions regarding feelings and anxieties around the summer plans.
Discuss and brainstorm ideas and involve your child in what you can do together if your child gets overwhelmed. Will you find a special place for quiet time? Will you play games together that involves deep pressure, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory input?
Are you able to bring a favorite teddy bear or snuggly blanket? Does a weighted lap pad, blanket, or weighted stuffed animal help?
Find out if there is a place where your child can go if your child is feeling overwhelmed. Is there quiet, dim room to relax and take a breather?
Where can you go to take a sensory break? Participate in heavy work? Have a relaxing moment? Or even take a power walk or play a quick game of soccer, jump, or do some climbing?
If older, plan ahead and have a signal with a friend or family member when a break is needed. A friend or family member can help you break away from a conversation and find a quiet place.
Don’t feel obligated to participate in every conversation or activity. Take breaks with your child, find a calm quiet place, and if needed participate in heavy work and deep pressure activities.
Leave early if needed.

Sensory Tip #6: Sensory Tools To Bring

Depending on you or your child’s sensory needs, you may consider bringing certain comfort items with you. Whether that’s preferred pool toys or calming sensory tools or fidgets for when you need them.

Here are a few ideas you might consider bringing depending on your child’s sensory needs. Keep items in the car until it is needed.

A favorite snuggly blanket or teddy
Weighted lap pad, weighted blanket, or weighted stuffed animal
Favorite board games
Smooth stone for rubbing
Headphones, ear plugs, or ear buds to block out loud noises
Fidget toys
Sensory Body Sock– a sensory body sock can provide a child with not only deep pressure, but also a quiet space to relax, take deep breath, and calm their sensory system. Check out this guest post I created for a DIY sensory body sock for Growing Hands On Kids.

Create An Activity Toolbox

Create a small activity tool box and keep it in your car or bag in case your child needs a sensory break. Pick favorite small games, fidgets, and/or fine motor activities. Think low mess and quick cleanup.

Favorite small games, coloring pads and pencils, and/or books
Fidgets toys
Sensory body sock, its super easy to pack and travel with
Stress ball
Theraputty with small items to place inside for older children to find (great for fine motor strengthening as well)
Fidget spinners
Koosh Ball, Rubik’s Cube, or Pop It fidget toys
Crunchy, chewy foods as age appropriate such as nuts, pretzels, pita chips, Twizzlers, or granola bars- oral sensory motor calming strategy
Filled water bottle – a reusable water bottle featuring a straw or pull spout to suck through is best, another oral sensory motor calming strategy
Sign up for The DIY Therapist newsletter and receive instructions for how to make your own DIY fine motor and fidget travel kit.

Other Sensory Summer Tips To Consider

Sensory Tip #7: Practice Applying Sunscreen

If applying sunscreen is too difficult to put on due to tactile defensiveness, here are a few tips that can help:

Start preparing early and make it a part of your routine
Discuss the importance of sunscreen- keep your language simple and precise if needed.
Have fun with it and don’t place demands
Demonstrate how you put on sunscreen, if needed. Talk about the importance of putting on sunscreen everywhere as you rub on the lotion.
Before applying sunscreen to your loved one, first participate in heavy work activities such as animal crawls, wheelbarrow walk, carry something heavy, or participate in an outdoor sensory obstacle course.
Next, participate in activities that include deep pressure such as rolling a pool noodle, beach ball, or therapy ball over the arms, legs and back with deep pressure. The amount of deep pressure should not be too much or too little, but just right for the individual. Ask and watch for facial grimaces regarding the pressure.
First discuss and ask before beginning. Start with the most difficult area first such as the face or any other sensitive areas.
Give a reward such as high fives and stickers; not sugar or screens.

Check out my post in full detail regarding sunscreen and tactile defensiveness, and 8 easy to implement tips. Learn about self-directed facial massage, the importance of messy play, and summer sensory friendly products.

Sensory Tip #8: Practice Wearing A Life Jacket

Sometimes just wearing and keeping on a life vest can be a huge struggle. That’s why it’s important to practice, practice, practice if this is an issue with a little one in your life. Here are a few tips that may help:

Let your child pick their favorite color life vest before purchasing if possible. Make sure the life vest fabric is tolerated by the individual.
Participate in heavy work activities before putting on a life jacket followed by deep pressure to help calm and regulate the sensory system. Heavy work activities include (as age appropriate) carrying a stack of heavy books, push a heavy laundry basket across the carpeted floor, perform push ups, hang or do pull ups from a pull up bar, and/or participate in an outdoor sensory obstacle course.
Explain to your child the importance of wearing a life jacket and its purpose. Keep it simple if needed. “Life jackets keeps us safe in the water”
Practice wearing the life jacket before your swimming or boating event. Consider how long a life vest will need to be warn, and practice, practice, practice.
Take pictures or a video of your child wearing the life vest. Discuss as a family how great they did, encouraging its use.
Let your child snap or practice snapping the buckles.
Play dress up with teddy bears or a favorite large stuffed animal using the life jacket.
And of course! Take swim lessons and always be safe around water.