Looking for fun and engaging early years activities that connect your child with nature? Discover a world of outdoor adventures perfect for young children to enjoy with their parents. From imaginative potion making to crafting adorable flower turtles, these nature-based activities are sure to keep your little ones entertained while fostering a love for the great outdoors. Read on for creative ideas that blend learning and play in the natural world!
Natural Sensory Wonderland
Transform your garden or home into a sensory wonderland with a tuff tray filled with natural treasures from the great outdoors!
This engaging summer activity allows children to connect with nature as they mix soil, leaves, and flowers to create their own sensory wonderland. Parents can easily set up this exploration station, giving kids the chance to enhance their experiences through the delightful smells and textures of their natural concoctions. Dive into this hands-on adventure and watch your children’s creativity and curiosity bloom!
Find a ‘Magical garden potions‘ how to guide from School Gardening.
Why not take this idea even further with ideas from the book Potion Commotion, by Roald Dahl Funny Prize winner Peter Bently. Betty, a little witch whips up a chaotic concoction, tossing everything from strawberry jam to slices of ham into her cauldron!
Inspired by this delightful story, parents and early years children can embark on their own magical adventure outdoors. This activity brings the book to life, sparking children’s imaginations as they use their senses to explore the world around them and concoct their very own magical brews.
Early Years Craft; Dandelion Turtle
Create your very own dandelion turtle with this charming and imaginative craft! All you need is a piece of cardboard, a handful of dandelions, and a few basic craft supplies. Children will enjoy collecting dandelions from the garden and using them to form the turtle’s body, adding a touch of nature to their artwork. Find the Nature craft guide, by Happy Toddler Playtime.
Growing Vegetables in Early Years: Educational Nature Activities
Gardening with your children is a fun and educational way to support their development. Activities like handling seeds, digging, and watering help enhance both fine and gross motor skills while teaching them about plant life cycles, science, and math. Gardening also encourages problem-solving and critical thinking as children learn to overcome challenges like pests and weather, fostering a sense of responsibility and patience as they wait for their plants to grow.
In addition to physical and cognitive benefits, gardening promotes emotional growth by teaching kids the value of perseverance and providing a sense of achievement when they harvest their vegetables. It also offers opportunities for social development through teamwork and cooperation, making gardening a great group activity that encourages communication and collaboration.
For parents looking to get started, BBC Good Food offers helpful tips on choosing easy-to-grow plants and preparing your garden. Whether you have a small balcony or a backyard, these tips will guide you and your child in creating a fun and successful gardening experience that can lead to healthy eating habits and a deeper appreciation for nature.
Reyaan just plants a pepper and says “Look it’s grown”, “I can eat now?”
child at kloisters nursery school
Grass Blade Whistle
Making a grass blade whistle is a simple and enjoyable outdoor activity that helps children connect with nature. To create a whistle, find a wide, flat blade of grass, and hold it taut between your thumbs, leaving a small gap where the grass is exposed. Blow through the gap, adjusting the tension and angle of the grass until it produces a whistling sound. This fun activity not only brings joy and laughter but also encourages social interaction as children work together to master the technique.
Beyond the fun, grass blade whistling fosters problem-solving, creativity, and fine motor skills as kids experiment with different grasses and methods. Plus, it nurtures an appreciation for natural resources, showing how simple elements from the environment can be used to create something delightful.
Make Nature Pictures
Spending time in nature and using everyday objects to create art is a fantastic way to stimulate a child’s imagination, improve their communication skills, and encourage them to explore the world around them.
How to guide:
- Go on a Nature Hunt: Start by taking your child on a nature hunt, either in your garden or during a walk in the park. Collect different natural materials like leaves, twigs, flowers, and stones. As you gather items, talk with your child about each object, discussing its texture, colour, and where it was found. This encourages curiosity and enhances their observation skills.
- Create Natural Pictures: Once you’ve collected enough materials, use them to create pictures. Arrange the objects on a piece of paper or a flat surface to form images or patterns. Engage your child in conversation, encouraging them to use their imagination. Maybe a leaf becomes a bird’s wing or a twig a tree trunk. This playful pretending helps stimulate their creativity and thinking.
- Make It Last (or Keep It Flexible): If your child is happy with their creation, you can glue the materials down to create a lasting piece of artwork. Alternatively, keep the materials loose so they can continue to rearrange and change their ideas, fostering continuous exploration and creativity.
Getting out in nature does wonders for children, encouraging them to explore the world around them while expanding their imaginations. These early years activities are perfect for blending learning and play, helping your child develop essential skills in a fun and engaging way. For more ideas on how to keep your little ones entertained, check out our posts on colourful play activities and water play activities.