Nature Based Toddler Group Activities

While toddler groups generally take place indoors you can always bring a bit of the outside in with these nature based toddler group activities.

This post contains affiliate links (identified with a *) I earn a commisson from qualifying purchases 

Cheerio Bird Feeder

This is a really simple nature based toddler group activity to set up and is great for developing fine motor skills. Be aware of allergies as it’s likely a few Cheerios will make their way in to mouths!

What you’ll need

Cheerios (or a supermarket own brand version)

Bowls to put them in

Pipe Cleaners*

Method

Make a small loop at the end of each pipe cleaner to stop the Cheerios falling off. Give each child a pipe cleaner and show them how to thread the Cheerios on. When they have enough Cheerios, make a larger loop at the top so that it can be hung in a tree.

 

Grass Heads

This nature based toddler group activity involves a bit of delayed gratification but it’s fun for the children to watch them grow at home. You can but wood shavings in your local pet shop or a local carpenter may provide them for free. If you’re struggling for socks you can always ask each family to bring there own.

What you’ll need

Some old socks

Wood shavings (available from the pet shop)

Grass seeds

Marker pens

Googly eyes*

Small pots (old yogurt or ice cream pots)

Method

Open the sock and springy in some grass seed. Fill the rest of the sock with the wood shavings and then tie a knot in the end. Place the sock in the container with the knot end down. If the sock is light coloured you can draw on a face, if not you can just add eyes.

 

Planting seeds

This one can get messy and you’ll probably want to give the seeds out one at a time. If you have some kind of social media for your group you can invite people to post pictures of how there flower is doing.

What you’ll need

Empty yoghurt pots

Compost

Seeds

Stickers to decorate*

Method

Let the children decorate the yoghurt posts with the stickers (remembering to put their names on them). Get each child to scoop some compost in to their post. Next they’ll need to push one finger in to make a hole. You can then give them the seed to pop in the hole and they can cover it in compost. It’s generally easiest to leave watering until they are home. Make sure the children wash the hands at the end.

 

Log People

This is something my son came up with and it’s a great way to make simple people. You’ll need to head to the woods first to collect what you’ll need but you could make that part of a toddler group outing.

What you’ll need

Small logs

Some twigs

PVA Glue

Pipe cleaners*

Googly eyes*

Method

Give each child a log and put the twigs, pipe cleaners, eyes and glue on the table. It’s useful to have “Here’s one I made earlier” example on the table. Children can then glue on twigs for arms and legs as well as eyes and pipe cleaners for hair.

You might also want to have a look at our other toddler group ideas, messy Play, craft ideas Circle time ideas, and food based activities. We’ve also got some advice on how to run a toddler group and how to choose activities.

Liked this post? Pin it for later!