Montessori Nature Play Activities for Babies & Toddlers

Happy Earth Day! Here are several ideas for incorporating nature & the environment in your baby's everyday activities.

What makes an outdoor activity Montessori?
Prepared Environment
Child-led
Freedom within Limits
Real Work
Learning Happens in Context
Limited Interupptions

Activities:
1. Go Outside
2. Blanket under a tree / chimes mobile
3. Feed Birds with a Birdfeeder
4. Go to the beach (with buckets, shovels, a boat toy, a dump truck, a picnic lunch)
5. Walk along a line (chalk line, curb, etc.)
6. Go to the park
7. Visit a wildlife sanctuary (for focus on local nature conservation, unlike a zoo)
8. Point out animal behaviors
9. Have a meal outdoors
10. Plant seeds & watch them grow - pumpkin, peas, and sunflowers are easy-to-handle seeds for toddlers; marigold, radishes, and cornflower seeds are faster growing but smaller and harder to handle
11. Take care of plants - weeding, watering, pruning, harvesting, composting
12. Do seasonal activities - like maple sugaring, taking a wildflower walk, and more
13. Explore Nature Art
14. Incorporate a low or zero-waste lifestyle at home - model sustainable practices for your children

These are just a few ideas for incorporating nature and the environment in your daily life. Every day is earth day! Thanks for watching!