With Spring upon us and Summer on the way - all be it the Irish version of "Summer" there is no better time to introduce your little one to the outdoors for some simple sensory play.

At Sensory Store.ie, we love curating age-appropriate sensory experiences through our play kits. But sensory play isn’t limited to what’s in the box! Nature provides the perfect playground for your baby’s growing mind. Outdoor sensory activities offer fresh air, natural textures, and endless opportunities for discovery. Here are some fun and simple ways to engage your baby’s senses outside.

1. Nature Walk and Touch Exploration

Take your baby on a walk in the garden, park, or beach. Encourage them to touch different natural materials like grass, leaves, flowers, sand, and tree bark. Talk about how each texture feels—soft, rough, smooth, or tickly—to enrich their vocabulary and sensory awareness.

2. Water Play

Water play is a fantastic sensory activity that promotes hand-eye coordination and cause-and-effect learning. Fill a small tub with water, add cups or floating toys, and let your baby splash, scoop, and pour, or if you want to practice tummy time, lay out a towel, roll up another as a tummy time pillow and place a baking tray with a small amount of depth filled with water on front of baby and allow them to splash their hands. If it’s warm, let them experience the feeling of cool water on their hands and feet! 

3. Listening Walk

Take a quiet stroll and tune into the world around you. Point out different sounds—birds chirping, leaves rustling, waves crashing, or dogs barking. This helps develop your baby’s listening skills and awareness of their environment.

4. Outdoor Tummy Time

Tummy time is even more exciting outdoors! Lay a soft blanket on the grass and let your baby explore the texture beneath their fingers. Place safe objects around them, like large leaves or flowers, to encourage reaching and grasping.

5. Cloud Watching

Lie down together and gaze at the sky. Describe what you see—big fluffy clouds, tiny wisps, or the changing colours at sunset. This activity encourages visual tracking and fosters early imagination.

6. Sensory Treasure Hunt

For older babies, create a simple treasure hunt by collecting natural objects such as pinecones, shells, or pebbles. Let them hold, explore, and compare different items while describing their characteristics.

7. Barefoot Play

If the weather allows, let your baby experience different surfaces barefoot. Walking or crawling on grass, sand, or smooth stones stimulates nerve endings in the feet and strengthens muscles.

8. Smelling Garden

Visit a garden or plant some fragrant herbs like lavender, mint, or basil at home. Let your baby smell different scents, enhancing their sense of smell while connecting them to nature.

9. Sensory Swing or Rocking

If you have access to a baby swing or hammock, perhaps at your nearby playground, gentle movement helps with vestibular development (balance and spatial awareness). Swinging can be calming and enjoyable for little ones.

10. Mud and Sand Play

Let your baby dig their hands into mud or sand for a full sensory experience. Wet and dry textures stimulate different sensory receptors and encourage free play.

Outdoor sensory activities help babies develop crucial skills while fostering a love for nature. Whether it’s a simple touch, a deep breath of fresh air, or a splash in the water, the world is a sensory playground waiting to be explored!