Spending time outdoors with your little one is not only a great way to bond, but it also helps them develop important skills like curiosity, observation, and connection with the world around them. At Papilio Early Learning, we encourage children to explore nature as part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, where they learn about the seasons, wildlife, and their environment.
To bring some of this learning home, here are a few simple, fun outdoor activities you can do with your child over the weekend. These activities are designed for children aged 0-5 and are perfect for exploring nature while having quality time together.
1. Bug Hunting Adventure
Encourage your child’s curiosity by going on a bug hunt in your backyard or local park. Bring along a magnifying glass, and together, search for bugs hiding under leaves, rocks, or in the grass. This activity teaches children to observe small details and introduces them to the world of insects, just like we do at Papilio when we explore local wildlife.
- What to do: Look for ants, beetles, butterflies, or even ladybugs! Talk about the different colours, shapes, and sizes of the insects you find.
- Learning focus: Observation skills, introducing new vocabulary, learning about living creatures.
- Tip: Be sure to explain that we look, but don’t touch, to keep both the bugs and your child safe.
2. Leaf Collecting and Sorting
Take a stroll through a park or garden and collect different leaves with your little one. This simple activity is perfect for introducing your child to different shapes, sizes, and textures. At Papilio, we often incorporate leaf activities into our learning themes on the seasons and local plants.
- What to do: Pick up fallen leaves and encourage your child to feel their texture and notice their colour. When you return home, you can sort the leaves by size, colour, or shape.
- Learning focus: Sensory development, early maths (sorting and comparing), exploring seasonal changes.
- Tip: Ask questions like, “What colours do you see on the leaf?” or “How does this leaf feel?”
3. Nature Crafts: Leaf Rubbing
Create simple yet beautiful leaf rubbings using leaves you’ve collected on your walk. This easy craft encourages creativity and helps children explore textures and shapes found in nature. We love incorporating nature-based art into the activities at Papilio, as it helps children connect to the environment in creative ways.
- What to do: Place a leaf under a sheet of paper and use a crayon to rub over the paper’s surface. Your child will see the leaf’s texture come to life!
- Learning focus: Creativity, fine motor skills, understanding textures.
- Tip: Talk about the different patterns you can see on the leaves and ask your child to guess what kind of tree the leaf might be from.
4. Build a Nature Collage
Collect small items like twigs, flowers, leaves, and rocks to create a nature collage. This craft activity lets children explore the different textures and shapes found in their surroundings while encouraging them to express their creativity.
- What to do: Gather a selection of natural items, and help your child arrange them on a piece of paper or cardboard using glue or tape. Create a pattern or picture together!
- Learning focus: Creativity, exploring textures, building concentration.
- Tip: Encourage your child to describe each item they collect - this helps build their vocabulary and observational skills.
5. Go on a Sound Walk
Take a sound walk with your child, focusing on listening to the different sounds in nature. At Papilio, we often engage children in listening exercises to help them become more aware of their environment.
- What to do: As you walk, stop and listen carefully. What can you hear? Birds chirping? Leaves rustling? Wind blowing? Encourage your child to describe the sounds they notice.
- Learning focus: Listening skills, language development, building mindfulness.
- Tip: Use this as an opportunity to talk about how different sounds are connected to nature, such as wind making trees sway or birds communicating with each other.
Safety First!
When exploring nature with your little one, always make sure the environment is safe. Check for any potential hazards, such as sharp objects or poisonous plants, and remind your child to be gentle with insects and animals. If you're collecting leaves, flowers, or sticks, choose items that have already fallen rather than picking live plants to help protect the environment.
Why Nature Exploration Is Important for Young Children
At Papilio, we believe that spending time outdoors helps children build a strong connection with nature, which supports their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. When children explore their surroundings, they learn through hands-on experiences, build new vocabulary, and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment.
Whether your child is learning about the seasons, animals, or simply appreciating the beauty of nature, these outdoor activities help reinforce the learning that happens at our centres. Plus, spending time outside together is a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories.
Weekend Fun
Exploring nature with your child is a fun and meaningful way to spend the weekend. From bug hunting to leaf collecting, each activity encourages your little one to observe, learn, and enjoy the world around them. These experiences also tie into the lessons they’re learning at Papilio Early Learning, helping to build a deeper connection to their environment.
We hope these activities inspire your weekend adventures! For more ideas or to learn about how we explore nature at Papilio, feel free to ask your child’s educator for additional resources.