Summer Fun That Actually Works (Autism-Friendly + Printable)
Summer can be awesome… and also a lot. Heat, bright sun, noisy outings, sticky hands, big changes to routine. It can tip some autistic kids (and adults) into overload fast.
So this page is a grab-and-go summer toolkit: easy printables, simple crafts, and calm routines you can use at home, school, or therapy.
Here’s what you’ll find below:
- Summer safety visuals (sun, heat, water)
- Summer worksheets (counting, colouring, word searches)
- Folder-game style activities (match, count, clip cards)
- Low-prep crafts (including a Japanese hanging fish)
- Easy food activities (visual + step-by-step ideas)
1) Print-and-go summer worksheets (easy wins)
Ice Cream Word Search
- Ice cream word search – of ice cream flavours.
- Printable ice cream word search (PDF).
Sea / Ocean “Count and Colour”
- Sea Count and Colour worksheet for fishy fun.
- Ocean counting clip cards (count + clip = great fine motor).
- Ocean colour-by-number sheet (quick and calming).
Summer counting sheets
- Download this summer counting worksheet
- A big set of free summer number worksheets (missing numbers, counting, tracing, etc.).
Summer “folder game” counting 1–10
- Summer Folder Game – Number Counting # 1- 10 page 1 and page 2
- Count-and-match to 10 worksheets (print, laminate, reuse).
- Seaside number matching game (summer theme).
2) Summer songs (including a better sunscreen song)
Sun safety song
- The sunscreen song – (sung to the Itsy-Bitsy Spider) Piggyback lyrics by Jaen Mayberry
- SunSmart has printable sun safety songs, including one sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.
- If you need the original tune as a reference, here are the basic Itsy Bitsy Spider lyrics.
How to use it (simple):
Sing it right before going outside, while putting on hat + sunscreen. Keep it the same every time.
3) Crafts that feel “summer” (but don’t melt brains)
Japanese Hanging Fish (Koinobori)
- Printable lesson plan PDF for a koinobori windsock.
- Koinobori template/activity (downloadable worksheet).
- Another step-by-step option (printmaking pattern lesson).
Seashell colouring
- Download this seashell colouring, this will keep them entertained.
Fireworks craft
- Free fireworks template (great for salt painting or colouring).
(You can use this for New Year’s, Australia Day events, or any celebration theme.)
4) “Aquarium in a Cup” (edible summer activity)
- Download this fishy colour word, they will love this.
- Mini Jello aquarium cups (step-by-step).
- Jello fish bowls version (simple ingredient list + method).
Autism-friendly tip: use a visual “First–Then”
First make it → Then eat it.
5) Outdoor ideas that don’t need heaps of talking
Nature Walk Checklist
- Printable nature walk checklist (black & white, easy to tick).
Make it calmer:
- Give one job: “Find 5 things.”
- Bring a “break” card and a water bottle.
- Keep the walk short, then repeat tomorrow.
6) Summer safety section (this is the bit most pages forget)
Summer learning is way easier when everyone feels safe and regulated.
Heat + sun safety (disability-friendly)
- NDIS Commission “Sun and summer safety” practice alert (clear extreme-heat tips).
- Aussie-focused summer safety tips for kids with disability.
Water safety (especially important)
Quick “visual routine” you can copy
- Hat on
- Sunscreen
- Drink water
- Timer 10 minutes
- Shade break
(Repeat. Same order. Every time.)
7) Father’s Day Cardstock + 4th July
Father’s Day Card is best printed on cardstock. Colour the tie and glue or staple the tie at the top, leaving the tie free to be flipped up to read the message. Don’t forget to sign the card on the back and add hugs and kisses! Shirt card, and the ubiquitous tie for dear old Dad.
July 4th colouring sheet for Independence Day.
Action
The 20-minute “Summer Pack” plan (today)
- Print one worksheet: ocean count + colour OR ice cream word search
- Print one craft: koinobori OR seashell colouring
- Print one outdoor page: nature walk checklist
- Add one safety song to your routine