Children can practice using their senses by looking for how things are alike and different in the great outdoors! Using nature also gives children an opportunity to appreciate being outside and exploring! Both activities below are great ways to help your child focus on details and makes paying attention a fun game!
Tree Sense!
If it’s possible, this works best where there are many different options of trees and plants.
First, blindfold your child and gently lead them to a tree. Stand with them and encourage them to get to the know tree using their senses! Ask them to feel and smell the bark, feel for leaves and estimate how big around the tree is by hugging the trunk. When they feel that they “know” the tree, lead them back to where you started (spin them around a few times) and take off the blindfold.
Dead Man’s Cards full Now, have your child try to find their tree.
- What senses helped them to locate their tree?
- What things made that tree unique?
- Take turns and have them blindfold you and lead you to a tree!
Match Game
Ask your child to pick from a selection of objects (like a fuzzy stuffed animal, waxy crayon, or triangle-shaped object) and a color from their shirt and challenge them to walk outside and find textures, shapes, and colors that match their choices. Ask your child what ways they are different and how are they are same. They can record their findings in a journal with words or pictures. Have fun exploring!