23+ Fun Nature-Inspired Sensory Activities for Kids
Looking for easy, fun ways to get your little ones playing and learning with nature? These nature-inspired sensory activities are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and curious kiddos who love to explore the world around them.
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From squishy mud play to colorful nature scavenger hunts, we’ve rounded up 19+ simple ideas that’ll light up their imagination and keep those tiny hands busy. Whether you’re at home, in the backyard, or out on a nature walk, there’s something here for every kid to enjoy!
Be sure to also see our Preschool Construction Site Sensory Bin and this Easy DIY Car Wash Sensory Table for Preschool.
🌟Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Fun Ideas!🌟
Easy DIY Beach Sensory Bin for Kids
Bring the beach to your backyard with this easy-to-set-up sensory bin! Kids can dig, scoop, and explore, creating their own sandy adventures without leaving home.
Natural Bunny Bait Sensory Bin (Easy Spring Idea!)
This natural sensory bin features real grass and carrots, along with water for an easy spring or Easter activity.
Bee Sensory Bin + Free Printables and Task Cards
Buzz into learning with this bee-inspired sensory bin! Perfect for exploring textures and practicing fine motor skills, it’s a sweet way to keep toddlers engaged and includes free printables.
Catching Butterflies Sensory Bin (Easy Spring Idea!)
Kids will love exploring butterflies by making died pasta! We recommend adding a net and container for a more realistic activity!
Forest Sensory Bin by The Ladybirds’ Adventures
A forest sensory bin is a wonderful Earth Day activity that serves two important purposes for children. It provides a rich sensory experience by engaging their sense of touch, smell, and sight. Additionally, it encourages them to appreciate the natural world and understand the importance of protecting our planet.
Nature Ice Sensory Play by The Mindful Toddler
Since Earth Day falls in April, it’s getting fairly warm in many climates. This nature ice sensory play activity is a great way for kids to cool off and spend some time interacting with natural elements.
Nature Sensory Bag Suncatcher by Hands On As We Grow
A sensory bag is a great option when the weather doesn’t really cooperate with outdoor play. Kids can gather flowers to give this bag a unique color scheme.
Cinnamon & Pinecone Sensory Bin by And Next Comes L
Keep things Earthy with this fun sensory water bin. Load it up with pine cones, cinnamon, and cooking utensils for a great sensory experience.
Sensory Nature Cutting Tray by Kids Craft Room
A sensory cutting tray might seem a bit unusual for some people, but it’s a great way to blend sensory play with fine motor skills practice. Kids can see how cutting through different materials offers different levels of resistance.
Make your own Nature Paint Brushes by Messy Little Monster
Painting with natural items is a great way to get kids more in touch with the planet for Earth Day. This technique for making actual paintbrushes out of items found in nature adds a whole new spin on painting.
Flower Sensory Soup by Living Life & Learning
Sensory soup is a lively activity which younger kids love. Add in something as simple as some flowers to add a natural vibe to the whole activity.
Learning Colors Through Nature by Fireflies & Mud Pies
There are multiple variants for outdoor scavenger hunts out there, but this one takes a whole new approach. Give kids colored paint chips, and get them exploring nature as they look for natural things that match the colors on the chips.
Bugs Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play
Load a sensory bin up with natural materials for a fun bug-themed activity. Brighten things up with some paper shreds to add some vibrance if necessary.
Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin by Taming Little Monsters
This ocean small world sensory bin is so easy to set up. Add in water, rocks, plants, and plastic sea life for the perfect finishing touches.
Nature Sensory Bottles by Little Bins for Little Hands
Sensory bottles are usually used as a “calm-down” activity, but they aren’t limited to that by any means. This activity uses them to isolate various plants so that kids can study the differences and similarities between them.
Pollution Ocean Sensory Bin by Natural Beach Living
Pollution is a serious problem across the globe and needs to be addressed. Help kids learn about how much it can affect a biome with this water pollution sensory bin.
Rainbow Nature Weaving by Fox Farm Home
This nature-inspired sensory activity is a great way for kids to get crafty using lots of natural materials. Get some recycled cardboard, twine, and flowers to make this nature-woven rainbow.
How to Make Play Mud by The Best Ideas for Kids
While mud is great, it does come with its share of problems. Mix up this taste-safe play mud for kids to have a fun, muddy sensory experience.
Australian Animal Small World Play Tray by Finding Myself Young
This bin idea is all about Australia! While the natural materials aren’t available to everyone necessarily, there are substitutes or materials available on places like Amazon or Etsy for a great Australia small world bin.
Garden Sensory Bin by Mess for Less
A garden sensory bin is a great way to let kids get their hands dirty. The materials are so easy to find, either outside or at any garden center.
Bee Sensory Bin by Homeschool Preschool
This bee-themed sensory bin is unbeelievably cute. It’s loaded with bee toys, yellow and black dyed sensory rice, and more.
Fairy Forest Nature Playdough Invitation by Barley & Birch
Kids can design their very own fairy forest playplace with some gathered plants and play dough. There’s a recipe for homemade dough available as well, to keep from messing up the expensive stuff with dirt and plants.
Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin by Life with Darcy & Brian
Kids can learn all about the life cycle of those real-life fairies, the butterflies. Studying insects is a fantastic and engaging way to celebrate Earth Day.
Fairy Houses Nature Craft by Red Ted Art
It’s hard to find a sensory experience more engaging than building an actual fairy house out of natural materials. Adults will need to assist, but this rewarding activity really helps build a bond between kids and the planet we all live on.
Nature is the best playground, and with just a little creativity, it becomes the perfect classroom too! Whether your kiddos are squishing mud between their fingers, listening to birds sing, or making art with leaves, these sensory activities are such fun (and slightly messy) way to help them connect with the world around them.
