Take learning outdoors this summer with your child’s favorite messy items! Bubbles, paint and shaving cream can provide multi-sensory experiences that are fun and engaging. Below are four activities to try together this month.

1. Water Balloon Paint

Mix ¾ water and ¼ washable paint in a squeeze bottle. Fill water balloons with the paint mixture. Place an old white bed sheet on your lawn or driveway. Encourage your child to pop the balloons by jumping up and down on them. He’ll love seeing the paint splatter.

2. Shaving Cream Slip-n-Slide

Secure a large tarp on a soft area of grass in your yard. Provide your child with shaving cream and buckets of water and ask him to cover the tarp. If you have multiple children, encourage them to practice taking turns.

3. Spray Bottle Art

Fasten a piece of paper to an easel, tree trunk, or other vertical surface outside. Fill spray bottles with watercolor paint and water. Encourage your child to spray fast, slow, left, and right. He’ll practice fine motor skills while also developing his creativity.

4. Outdoor Bubble Bath

Fill a kiddie pool with water, bubble bath solution, small cups, funnels, and bath toys. Encourage your child to hop in the pool and explore. Conduct a sink vs. float experiment, practice scooping and dumping, or count all the items in the water.