As the Melbourne weather warms up we are spending more and more time outdoors. Ever heard the outdoors referred to as nature’s playground? Well, that is exactly what it is. Endless opportunities for play right out your back door!
Although our backyard already offers many sensory experiences in our grass, trees, flowers, textures, smells and sounds, sometimes Aidan and Evie like me to take it a step further and offer different sensory adventures.
We recently got an outdoor sensory table, it is called a sand and water table BUT has so much more potential than just sand and water!
Although it does have a removable lid, the lid rarely goes on because the kids are too busy creating! There are two sections in the table, one that is made for wet substances and one that is made for dry. Let’s be honest, it all ends up getting mixed together which is AMAZING!
So far, we have tried a few different table combinations:
- Sand & Water with scooping and pouring utensils
- Beans & Coloured Water as a potion making station
- Blue gelatin & ocean animals as an ocean theme
- Truck washing station
When I reset the table I have left the ‘leftovers’ from previous play in there, it adds extra elements and the kids love building on their previous play experiences.
Engaging in sensory play outside not only gives the kids room to move and explore in new ways it gives me, as their mum, peace of mind knowing that the couch, the carpet, and the walls won’t get covered in sensory goodies. Plus kids and fresh air certainly have a certain magic about it!
The best part is that cleaning up is literally just hosing it all down, how good is that!
Thanks for the fantastic review. For even more amazing play ideas, check out Zara’s website playtribe.com.au