Simple Summer Hacks for Highly Sensitive Children

Author

Jill Gilbert
June 19, 2025

Raising Highly Sensitive Kids. No Filter.

Hey there, Mama!

Summer sounds great in theory—lazy mornings, spontaneous adventures, fun in the sun. But for highly sensitive kids, those same things can quickly turn into sensory landmines.

Fireworks that make other kids cheer? Cue the tears and hands over ears.

The total lack of routine? An open invitation for anxiety.

Last-minute changes in plans? Meltdown city.

And let’s not forget the blazing heat—because nothing says dysregulation like an overheated, overtired, overstimulated child.

The truth is, a lot of classic summer activities just aren’t built with sensitive kids in mind. But that doesn’t mean summer has to be a bust. With a few thoughtful swaps—noise-canceling headphones for fireworks, a simple daily schedule for routine, heads-up transitions, and breaks from the heat—you can turn the chaos into calm.

This week’s newsletter is all about making those swaps. We’ve pulled together our favorite activities, tools, and low-effort wins that actually work for sensitive kids—and make summer more doable for moms, too.

In this issue:

  • ✨ 5 easy summer activities your sensitive kid will actually enjoy

  • 🛝 The swing that brings calm (and gives you a break)

  • 🧠 Our favorite screen-time learning tool that kids actually love

  • 🍎 Snack check-ins that prevent full-blown meltdowns

  • 📱 The app we use to find kid-friendly events in seconds

Jill

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🔮 WHAT YOU NEED MOST RIGHT NOW

5 Easy Summer Activities Your Sensitive Kid Will Actually Enjoy

Summer should feel fun—but let’s be honest, it feels a lot. That’s why we put together a list of five simple activities that are easy to pull off, enjoyable for your child, and won’t drain your last ounce of energy.

These ideas don’t require fancy supplies or a packed schedule. They’re practical, flexible, and come with a bonus: they help your sensitive child stay more calm and centered along the way.

🧸 SENSITIVE-APPROVED!

These picks keep kids happy, regulated, and entertained—so you get a little breathing room too.

Osmo Genius Starter Kit

Looking for screen time that doesn’t make you feel guilty? Osmo is one of our all-time favorite ways for sensitive kids to learn, play, and stay engaged—especially during long summer days when boredom and big feelings collide.

This genius little system turns your iPhone or iPad into an interactive learning tool using hands-on pieces that kids can touch, move, and experiment with. From tangrams to spelling to number games, everything feels like play—but it’s secretly building critical thinking, fine motor skills, and confidence. We haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love it.

Swurfer Bamboo Swing

When your kid’s energy is through the roof but you’re clinging to your last nerve, this backyard swing might just save summer. The Swurfer Bamboo Swing is equal parts sensory tool and backyard fun. With its sturdy curved board design, this isn’t your average playground swing—it engages your child’s whole body, offering calming sensory input through back-and-forth motion and core activation.

 For sensitive kids, that kind of rhythmic movement can be incredibly regulating. It helps them feel grounded and focused, (even after the chaos of a summer playdate or a long afternoon indoors). Plus, it’s just plain fun—like surfing, swinging, and flying all rolled into one.

☕ Sip & Support: While "A Cuppa Momsense" is our gift to you, some product links may be affiliates. If you treat yourself, we might get a little something too – at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep the coffee flowing! 💖

🔧 HSC MOM HACK OF THE WEEK

Midday Meltdown? You Might Be Missing This

Never underestimate the power of a snack. No, we’re not saying “give your kid a snack” is a parenting hack. But for some highly sensitive kids who struggle with interoception—the internal sense that helps us notice things like hunger, thirst, or the need to use the bathroom—those cues don’t always come through clearly. That means by the time your child realizes they’re hungry, it might already look like an outburst, shutdown, or meltdown.

But it’s not just the kids. Moms, we’re out here doing all the things—so many of us skip meals or miss our own hunger signals until hanger hits and suddenly everyone’s emotions are on edge. A simple snack check-in (mid-morning, mid-afternoon, whenever you tend to crash) can prevent so much unnecessary dysregulation—for both of you. Set a phone reminder if you need to. It’s not silly. It’s smart.

Because emotional regulation starts with physical regulation. And sometimes, the fix really is as simple as a banana and a break.

💞 YOU’RE NOT ALONE IF...

…you quietly dread summer break—not because you don’t love your kid, but because figuring out what to do with them all day while also juggling work, life, and a million responsibilities feels impossible.

💫 CURRENTLY LOVING

Say Goodbye to “What Should We Do Today?”

Summer days feeling long already? Eventbrite is our go-to app for discovering kid-friendly events happening nearby—without digging through a million websites or social feeds.

From outdoor concerts and story times to craft fairs and sensory-friendly activities, this app makes it easy to find fun ways to get out of the house and into the community. You can filter by location, date, and category (yes to free events!) so you’re not stuck scrambling last-minute.

It’s perfect for when your kid’s bouncing off the walls and you need a low-effort plan that doesn’t involve another screen or another meltdown. Think of it as your spontaneous summer survival tool.

👉 Download it here and start exploring.

🥰 Could this newsletter help a mom you know?

If you know a mom who needs a little more calm and a lot more support, click the button below and grab your unique referral link to share with friends through text, email…or however you communicate. Plus, get you’ll get a special reward after 5 referrals!

Until next week, sip slowly & savor the calm ☕️