Nature Play Week: 8 Activities to Get Children Excited About Nature

Posted on 19/04/2023 by Caitlin Ielasi

Happy Nature Play Week! Nature play is a great way to encourage young children to explore and learn about the world around them.

Here are some nature play ideas for your centre:

1. Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of items for kids to find, such as a pinecone, a flower, a feather, etc. and send them on a scavenger hunt around the yard or park.

2. Sensory bin: Fill a bin or tray with natural materials like sand, rocks, shells, and leaves, and let kids explore and play with them.

3. Mud kitchen: Set up a small outdoor kitchen area with pots, pans, utensils, and mud. Let the children mix and create their own mud dishes.

4. Nature art: Encourage children to create art using natural materials like flowers, leaves, and sticks.

5. Rock painting: Collect some smooth rocks and let children paint them using natural dyes like beet juice or turmeric.

6. Nature bracelets: Use tape or string to make a bracelet and let kids collect and add natural items like flowers, leaves, and seeds.

7. Leaf rubbings: Place a leaf under a piece of paper and use a crayon to rub over the top, revealing the leaf's texture and shape.

8. Bug hotel: Create a small bug hotel using natural materials like twigs, leaves, and straws. Place it in a quiet corner of the yard and see what bugs come to visit.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities for nature play are endless, and it's a great way to encourage children to explore and engage with the world around them​