Keeping kids in touch with nature is so important. I’m working together with 25 other parenting bloggers to cover the whole alphabet for an ABCs of nature series, and today it’s my turn to cover W is for Water.
My boys love to play with water. It’s definitely one of their favourite substances and just a simple tub of water can keep them happy and entertained!
Lately we have been taking them to the coast a lot, so that they can explore larger expanses of water and appreciate the beauty of the sea and coastal areas.
Simple pleasures like skimming rocks into the sea or paddling in the ocean all help kids to build a deep connection to nature especially when done often and done from a young age. I grew up near to the sea so I was lucky enough to have easy access to the beach. My boys don’t; they are growing up in London but we make a point of taking them to the coast often. There’s something about quiet beaches that is so calming. Not the busy seaside resorts with the tourists and loud fair ground lights, but a little further down the coast where you can find a peaceful spot to hear the waves crashing, for the children to run with no one else around, to collect shells and stones and feel free. Looking out over the wide expanse of water, for the children to imagine what’s there at the bottom of the sea, further out and in the deep, and what might be on the other side of the water – distant countries that they are yet to explore! (Ok, it’s France – but for young children who haven’t yet been outside of their home country then seeing another country across the sea can really ignite the imagination!)
A playful approach to nature is important. Research has shown that children who engage with nature freely on their own terms will develop a deeper and long lasting connection into adulthood. I loved this article from Expect Adventure: “Leave No Trace” Can Wait and water seems like a perfect element for kids to explore. Playing with water in nature gives such a tactile sensory nature experience, and the amazing thing with water is that the kids can play, splash, paddle, pour and swish it as much as they like but once they leave there will be no trace that they had been so there is really nothing to worry about in that regard anyway!
If you aren’t near enough to the sea, then streams are also a great way for kids to explore water in nature. What child can resist hopping over stones to cross a stream? They really lend themselves to some great active gross motor play in nature.
If you have the right environment nearby, you could also take the kids fishing. This is not something we have done so far, although Mr T often asks to go fishing! But Joy of the Journeys has some great tips:
For more water in nature ideas why not try these:
Float or sink exploration with nature
What are your favourite ways to explore with water and nature? Let me know in the comments or share your ideas over on the In The Playroom facebook wall
Check out the full ABCs of nature series here at School Time Snippets
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
What a great collection of water play ideas. We live near the beach so water play is a big part of our weekends!
Oh how lovely to be near the sea! We live by several lakes and I definitely think the kiddos would enjoy fishing– but if all else fails, they LOVE the sprinkler ; )
Some great ideas. Given N woke up this morning and told us he was a baby turtle, maybe we should try the turtle pool!
N loves water, although can’t say he’s been around many ponds, sea or rivers etc. At nursery in forest school they do have a small pond, but haven’t noticed he’s done any pond dipping yet.
Water play is something that I was adamant to make him do before. It is messy and I am scared of adding more mess. Soggy is not my fave word too. But I slowly gave in when I realized that letting him play with water also made his bathing time easier. I also notice how he is not scared of the waves too when I started letting him just walk barefooted in the beach near us. #pocolo