Baby Nature Steps: Exploring the Outdoors with Under 2 year olds
Nature offers endless opportunities for young children to explore and discover the world around them. For babies and toddlers under two years old, these outdoor experiences can stimulate their senses, encourage movement, and foster early development. At First Steps Cornwall, we believe in the power of nature to inspire learning from the very start. Let’s explore some simple, enriching activities you can enjoy with your little ones, whether at the beach, in the woods, or your local community parks.
1. Sensory Strolls in Local Parks, Woods, and the Beach
Whether you’re walking through a local community park, a wooded area, or along the beach, sensory strolls are a fantastic way to engage your baby’s senses. In the woods, your little one can touch rough tree bark, listen to the rustling of leaves, or spot birds and small wildlife. At the beach, they can feel the texture of sand between their fingers and toes, hear the waves crashing, and watch seagulls flying overhead. These varied environments offer rich sensory experiences that help babies develop tactile awareness and encourage curiosity.
2. Baby Nature Hunts
No matter where you are, baby nature hunts can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers. In the woods, you can point out colourful leaves, smooth stones, or interesting bugs. On the beach, show your child shells, pebbles, or seaweed washed ashore. These little treasures captivate their attention, and the act of discovery helps stimulate their cognitive development. Local parks, with their trees and open spaces, offer a great place to start introducing these outdoor adventures, too.
3. Blackberry Picking
Late summer and early autumn are perfect times for blackberry picking, whether you’re in a park or woodland area. Show your toddler the shiny black berries, guiding them as they carefully pick a few. This simple activity is full of sensory learning as they feel the berries, see the vibrant colours, and perhaps even taste the fresh fruit. Blackberry picking is not only fun but also a great way to develop fine motor skills and introduce your little one to the concept of food growing in nature.
Blackberry picking with under-2s can be highly beneficial:
- Sensory Exploration: Touching, tasting, and smelling berries engages multiple senses, aiding brain development.
- Fine Motor Skills: Picking small berries helps toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
- Connection to Nature: Early exposure to nature fosters curiosity and environmental awareness.
- Bonding Time: It provides an opportunity for parents and children to bond in a relaxed outdoor setting.
- Nutrition: Fresh berries offer a healthy snack rich in vitamins.
These activities stimulate both physical and cognitive growth in young children.
4. Beach and Water Play
The beach is a treasure trove of exploration for young children. Let your toddler play in the sand, building little mounds or simply feeling its texture. Splashing in shallow water or dipping their toes into the sea helps improve motor skills and introduces them to the movement of water. If you’re in a wooded area with a stream or small pond, water play can also be a fun experience—watching ripples, floating leaves, or pebbles being tossed into the water. These simple moments offer endless opportunities for learning and exploration.
5. Bug Spotting in the Woods
Woods are a perfect environment for introducing your toddler to the fascinating world of insects. Look under logs or leaves to find ants, beetles, or worms. Teach your child to observe gently, helping them understand the importance of being kind to the creatures they find. This activity not only nurtures an appreciation for wildlife but also helps them develop attention to detail and patience.
6. Free Play in Nature
Whether you’re in a park, at the beach, or exploring the woods, sometimes the best way for toddlers to connect with nature is through unstructured play. Let them crawl on a blanket at the beach, toddle through grassy parklands, or explore woodland trails at their own pace. Free play encourages creativity, boosts confidence, and strengthens physical skills. The natural environment provides endless inspiration, from collecting sticks in the woods to feeling the wind at the beach.
By exploring your local community parks, beaches, and wooded areas, your under-two-year-old can enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences that support their physical and cognitive development. These early interactions with nature can help build a lifelong connection to the world around them.
