6 Things to do in the garden with your toddler or preschooler

Summer is a wonderful time to get outside and explore everything the great outdoors has to offer! If you're looking for a little inspiration, here are some of the children's favourite things to do in our garden at The Nest.

1. Potion making 

Potion making is a great activity that all the children here at The Nest love to do!  You just need a big bowl, some spoons and then whatever ingredients you can forage! The children love hunting around the garden to find flowers, which they mix with water to create magical potions. We add different coloured water and glitter or sequins to add to the magic! Provide different sized bottles/ spoons and bowls and children will have a great time scooping, pouring and mixing - developing early maths concepts whilst having fun. 

2. Mud Kitchen 

A mud kitchen doesn’t have to be an extravagant structure. A simple pallet and some old pans, bowls, spoons, mud and water will work just as well! Children will have great fun mixing up and cooking mud pies. Add different flowers, leaves and other items foraged from the garden for more ingredients!

Mud kitchens are a great way to develop their creativity and imaginative play.

3. Obstacle course

A simple obstacle course is a great way to help children burn off energy whilst also developing their gross motor skills, hand eye coordination and spatial awareness. Provide cushions to step on, drape a sheet across 2 chairs for them to crawl under and line up twigs, draw a line with chalk or place a plank of wood for them to follow and balance along. You can also include a ‘jumping’ zone where they have to jump in and out of a hula hoop, jump over a broom stick or simply ask them to do 5 star jumps!

Of course, make sure your child is supervised and there is no risk of injury throughout the course. 

4. Leaf and bark rubbings

Collect dried flowers, leaves or bits of bark. Lay paper over them and rub with crayons. The children love seeing the different patterns appear on the paper. Once they have a collection they’ll also enjoy colouring in the different drawings they have created. This is a wonderful activity for developing fine motor skills and strengthening pencil grip.

5. Chalk or water drawings 

The children love drawing with the chunky chalks! Ask them to draw different shapes,  or just let their creativity run free! Once they've finished they’ll then have a great time washing it off with either a sponge or different sized wet paintbrushes. If you don’t have chalk, they can simply ‘draw’ on the pavement or fences with wet paintbrushes. As the water dries, they can start again and again.  

6. Make a bug hotel 

Bug hotels are so easy to make and can be easily added to, provided lots of ongoing fun. Simply get a clean empty container - this could be a milk carton, plastic bottle or small wooden box with the ends or side cut off. Just ensure there are no sharp edges. Then simply go foraging around the garden for short twigs, dry leaves, moss, pinecones etc. Once you’ve got a nice amount, simply fill your container snugly so the items don’t fall out. Then, leave them in a quiet, sheltered, and dry spot near some bushes or at the base of a tree and let the bugs enjoy their new home! 

Whether it's a garden, patio, shared outdoor space or even your local park, there are plenty of ways to enjoy these activities together.

At The Nest Day Nursery, we believe that some of the best learning happens outdoors. Whether children are mixing muddy potions, balancing on homemade obstacle courses or discovering tiny insects in the garden, outdoor play encourages curiosity, creativity and confidence while supporting all areas of their development.

What is your child’s favourite outdoor activity to do?