There’s something uniquely magical about a child outdoors with their knees muddy, eyes wide, pockets full of treasure (also known as sticks and stones). Outdoor sensory play taps into that magic, inviting children to explore, imagine and connect with nature using every one of their senses.
Whether planning a garden adventure or a picnic with purpose, this guide will help you encourage your children to go outside and play.
Sensory play is all about engaging and exploring their senses through fun and games. This means touching, smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting, balancing and moving.
Why do children need sensory play? It helps them learn how to process the world around them. It also lays the groundwork for improving focus, coordination and emotional regulation. Best of all, it feels like pure play, not homework in disguise.
Most of us grew up learning about the five senses in school – touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell. But here’s a fun fact: we actually have over 20 different senses buzzing around our bodies, helping us to navigate the world around us.
Don’t worry, though, when it comes to sensory development, there are just seven we need to think about. Let’s take a wander through them:
We all know there are many benefits of outdoor play, and the potential for sensory exploration is a big one. This is because nature is never still. From the breeze to the buzz of insects, it’s full of gentle surprises that change daily, even hourly.
That’s what makes outdoor sensory play so valuable. It teaches children to observe, adapt and find joy in simple things. It strengthens gross motor skills and encourages resilience (especially when it starts to drizzle).
Now you’ve got a feel for why outdoor play matters, it’s time to go outside and play. As always, it’s up to us parents to plan and prepare these development-focused activities. The good thing is, you don’t need fancy outdoor sensory play equipment, just a bit of imagination and a few household bits.
Here are some sensory-rich activities designed to spark joy, curiosity and a whole lot of giggles:
Set up an outdoor kitchen with old pots, spoons, a bit of soil, and water, then watch the magic unfold. Children can mix mud pies, stir stone soup, and decorate with herbs or petals, turning everyday garden items into a sensory-rich culinary adventure.
This activity sparks imaginative play and encourages collaboration. It’s also a fantastic way to develop hand strength, coordination and early social skills.
Send your child on a nature treasure hunt with a list of clues -something rough, something colourful, something with a scent. Whether in the garden or nearby woodland, they’ll love the challenge of discovering tiny natural treasures.
This simple adventure encourages keen observation, builds vocabulary, and awakens a curiosity and love of nature. It’s a lovely way to support visual and olfactory senses too. You can also give your child a Flower Press Art DIY Kit, where they can collect their treasures to add a creative element.
Lay out shallow trays or sections of ground filled with different natural textures – pebbles, sand, bark, grass, even puddles. Let children step through slowly and feel each texture under their feet.
This trail gently stimulates the proprioceptive system and builds balance and body confidence. Just be sure to check for hidden sharp bits and stay close by to guide tiny toes.
Take a quiet stroll through a garden or woodland and look and listen closely. Spot crawling bugs, buzzing bees or birds overhead, and jot down or draw your discoveries together.
This calming activity builds patience and focus while supporting visual and auditory processing. To help your young explorer get a closer look at things, try taking an adjustable telescope along with you.
Create a mini herb patch with fragrant favourites like mint, rosemary and lavender. Invite children to train their little noses by gently rubbing the leaves and taking a whiff. A Growing Gardners Greenhouse can be a great aid to this activity and helps to inspire little green thumbs.
This sensory garden boosts fine motor skills and teaches responsibility as they water and tend their plants. Just make sure everything is safe in case a curious taste test happens!
Get crafty with cardboard tubes, rice, ribbons and bells to create your own musical weather makers. Shake, rattle or let the breeze bring your creation to life in the garden.
This is a lovely mix of sound exploration and fine motor creativity. Just keep an eye out for loose parts or floppy ribbons—and maybe pop the scissors away when you’re done!
Gather some light-catching items like leaves, feathers and twigs, then shine a torch or use the sun to cast shadows on a wall or pavement. Children can trace, shape and create characters with the shadows they see.
This simple activity builds creativity, spatial awareness and an understanding of light and perspective. Just steer clear of playing in the strongest midday sun – morning or late afternoon light works a treat!
Hang a rope swing from a sturdy tree or play frame and add simple garden obstacles with stepping stones, logs to balance on, or a path to weave through. Children can climb, swing, jump and crawl their way through the course at their own pace.
This kind of movement-heavy outdoor sensory play supports the vestibular system, building balance and boosts whole-body coordination. It also builds confidence as they learn to navigate new physical challenges in a fun, natural setting. If you’re lacking a rope and a tire, a Pocket Swing is an affordable, safe and convenient alternative.
Freeze small nature items or toys in blocks of ice, then hand over safe tools like wooden spoons or warm water. Children will love chiselling and melting to rescue what’s inside.
This chilly challenge develops patience and fine motor skills while offering a whole new texture to explore. Just make sure tools are safe for small hands—plastic or wooden ones are perfect.
Outdoor sensory play doesn’t need a sunny day or a big garden. It just needs space, time, curiosity and a willingness to get a little grubby. Whether it’s a bug hunt before school or an afternoon of mud pies, these small, meaningful moments create lasting memories and big developmental leaps.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our range of Nature Fun Collection to bring outdoor sensory play to life.
