Providing your baby with different sensory experiences is key from birth, especially once your baby starts to explore the world around them and become more inquisitive. However, whilst there is a vast amount of nature based activity suggestions for toddlers and young children there seems to be a profound lack of ideas for babies under the age of one! Understandably, finding safe, appropriate activities for your baby at this stage can be challenging, especially as they primarily use their mouth to explore novel objects, but it is not impossible and there are lots of things you can do to get your baby interacting with the natural world!
Get Outside!
One of the simplest things you can do is take your baby outside! There is nothing they love more than to watch the shapes of trees against the sky and the different shades of light dancing off the environment around them. Not only is this a safe option, since you can control what your baby directly interacts with, but it is also free and has so many health benefits! Even in the dreary British weather we managed to find at least one day a week to get Aria out into nature and it soon became apparent that this was one of her favourite things to do. As well as visual stimulation, the great outdoors is perfect for providing different textures for your baby to feel! Bark on trees, the soft grass, large rocks, these are all unique textures readily available for your little one to explore. Just take care not to offer them sticks, small stones and other 'bite sized' objects to avoid injury and choking.
Sensory Baskets
For those extra rainy days, or days where you simply cant fit in a trip outside, you can bring nature inside! Sensory baskets are so easy to make and are a very affordable option, especially if you gather things on your trips outdoors. Again be cautious not to provide any smaller or sharp objects, but large pebbles, shells and dried pinecones can bring an outdoors theme to any sensory basket. Once your baby gets older, this can be expanded further to include dried leaves and other interesting textures, but whilst everything ends up in the mouth its best to keep things simple and supervise them whilst they play with these items.
Splash Time!
Most babies love exploring water. So why not utilise this to support their love of nature? A shallow tray or bowl can be filled with water and objects, such as pebbles and shells, can be placed at the bottom for your baby to explore. You may want to place a few towels down or do this activity outside however, as we have quickly learnt that babies love to splash about in water and can rapidly soak an entire room!
Relax Outside Together
Spending time relaxing outside together can be just as beneficial as a walk in the woods. Grab a thick blanket and head outside, a nice spot under a tree is perfect for your little one to gaze at the leaves moving around above them. Obviously this is weather permitting! But for those warm sunny days this activity is free, relaxing and you could even take a picnic for the whole family to enjoy!
Nature Mobiles
For those creative parents out there, nature mobiles provide a safe way to introduce a wide variety of natural items to their babies. Feathers, sticks, leaves, the list is endless as to what you can include. Not only does this provide visual stimulus, but it also adds a touch of rustic décor for those nature babies too!
So there you have it. Five simple yet cost effective ideas for introducing your baby to nature! Once they get older there is a whole host of new activities for your little one to explore, but these provide the foundations for getting them out in the wonderful world of nature from an early age. Aria just loves to spend time feeling plants, grass and bark on trees, or watching the moving leaves on the eucalyptus tree at her grandmas! No matter where in the world you are, there is always somewhere you can go to get your nature baby outside! And if the weather is against you then bring nature inside! Whatever your situation there is something to suit everyone!
What ideas have you come up with to get your babies outside and exploring?