Discover Nature – Playing Outdoors

Nature is a huge adventure playground for children. There is so much to explore in fields, forests, and meadows. When playing outdoors, little adventurers can go on a trail hunt and explore the animal and plant world. Outdoor experiences promote children's development in many ways. Embark on a sensory journey together with your little ones. We’ll show you how children can enjoy an exciting day in a playful way while discovering the secrets of nature.

Discover Nature with a Magnifying Glass

Many things don’t catch the eye at first glance. With a closer look, you gain unexpected insights into the fascinating world of nature. Equipped with a magnifying glass, children can go on a discovery tour while playing outdoors and get to the bottom of exciting questions. How do spiders build their webs? Does a millipede really have a thousand legs? What does the surface of a leaf look like? Plants are especially suitable for beginners since, unlike animals, they are not as sensitive and don’t crawl away. More experienced nature detectives can search the garden for small creatures and carefully catch and observe them using a brush and a magnifying cup. Once everything has been explored, the little critters should be released as close as possible to where they were found, as their habitat often only extends within a small area.

Discover Nature with All Your Senses

Hearing, smelling, touching – a blind discovery tour outdoors engages all the senses. To do this, blindfold the children so they can perceive their surroundings even more intensely, and embark on a sensory journey together. Choose a path free of dangerous objects. Then off you go. Lead the little adventurers by the hand through the garden. They can feel different branches, pine cones, and leaves. At the next station, the little explorers listen to all the sounds around them, such as the rustling of the wind or birdsong. At the end of the tour, the children can test their sense of smell and be enchanted by various natural scents. Whether it’s the smell of freshly cut grass, delicious garden fruits, or the classic summer scent of different blossoms.

Processing New Impressions

Shared nature experiences boost children’s self-confidence and strengthen trust within the family. Outdoor play engages all the senses. After many discoveries, children need time to process their impressions. Afterwards, talk about the new experiences and plan the next adventure together. Image rights: ©Thinkstock / BrianAJackson