In a world increasingly dominated by screens and indoor activities, there's something undeniably magical about children connecting with nature. Montessori education, with its emphasis on independence, exploration, and respect for the child's natural development, seamlessly extends into the great outdoors. Through carefully curated outdoor environments and activities, Montessori outdoor play encourages children to engage with the natural world, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for nature.
Let's dive into the concept of Montessori outdoor play and explore some essential items and activities that can be incorporated into your outdoor space:
1. Natural Materials
Encourage sensory exploration and imaginative play with an array of natural materials:
- Wooden Blocks: Perfect for building structures and fostering creativity.
- Rocks and Stones: Provide opportunities for sorting, stacking, and sensory exploration.
- Shells and Pinecones: Inspire curiosity and creativity in nature’s treasures.
Hand-Crafted Quality Wood – 100 pcs traditionally styled hand-crafted natural beechwood wooden blocks. Building blocks for toddlers 3-5 with a storage bucket. Wood blocks for kids are a good selection of Montessori toys. Classic wooden building blocks for kids ages 4-8 boys and girls.
Unlike the traditional building blocks, every block is a polyhedron, each different in size, color and weight, making stacking game more challenging so that kids can complete the building process in a whole new way.
About 70+ pcs sea shells mixed beach seashells,various sizes from 3-9 CM.AS pictures shown in the random matchincluding various colors seashells,white Knobby starfish,sea snail,sea coral, clam shells, moon shells, nassa shells,ect.
Natural Pine Cones, 18 PCS, Approximately 1.5″-2.5 inches. Random sized in bag.
2. Gardening Tools
Empower children to connect with the earth and learn about the cycle of life through gardening:
- Child-sized Shovels, Rakes, and Trowels: Promote responsibility and fine motor skills.
- Watering Cans: Encourage independence in caring for plants and flowers.
- Seeds and Seedlings: Foster a sense of stewardship and wonder as children witness the growth process.
Made of quality material with metal heads and real wooden handles, this set features smooth, rounded edges for kid-safe use. These durable tools look and perform just like mom and dad’s- they are just smaller in size for small hands!
Perfect Size – This cute watering can holds 32 oz. (0.95 L, 0.25 gallon), ideal small watering can for kids for Easter gift, Birthday, play time or any occasion.
Beautiful – Full color seed packets of popular flowers including Crackerjack Marigolds, Envy Zinnias, Powder Puff China Aster, Cape Daisy, and Candy Stripe Cosmos. Enjoy outside in the garden and indoors as cut flowers.
3. Sensory Bins
Create immersive sensory experiences with nature-themed sensory bins:
- Sand and Soil: Provide a tactile experience for digging, pouring, and exploring.
- Water: Introduce concepts of volume, buoyancy, and fluid dynamics.
- Dried Leaves and Flowers: Engage multiple senses with textures, colors, and scents.
CoolSand is Moldable: Doesn’t dry out, when molding, slicing and shaping it, allowing you to enjoy it for years. It’s the “wet” squeezable sand where you can feel the fun!
Dried Pressed Flowers: Very Colorful real dried flower, shapes and colors of flowers well preserved. Can bring you a wonderful experience. Experience nature and purify your soul. Love nature, a gift from nature！
4. Outdoor Art Supplies
Nurture creativity and self-expression with outdoor art activities:
- Easels and Paints: Encourage children to paint en plein air, inspired by the beauty of nature.
- Chalk: Transform sidewalks and outdoor surfaces into vibrant canvases.
- Natural Canvases: Offer unconventional materials like stones or tree bark for artistic expression.
ALL-IN-1 ART TOY: Double sided easel with blackboard, magnetic whiteboard and paper roll on top.
CRAYOLA WASHABLE PROJECT PAINT – BOLD, 6 COUNT: Washable paint in bold colors including Yellow, Green, Yellow Orange, Red Orange, Fuchsia, Teal, and Blue Violet.
64 ct, Bulk sidewalk Chalk, Anti-Roll Sticks, Nontoxic, Ages 4+
Natural Wood Slices 12 Pcs 3.5-4 inch Craft Wood kit Circles Crafts Christmas Ornaments DIY Crafts with Bark for Crafts Rustic Wedding Decoration by William Craft (3.5-4inch)
5. Outdoor Kitchen
Promote practical life skills and imaginative play with a child-sized outdoor kitchen:
- Pots, Pans, and Utensils: Provide opportunities for pretend cooking and exploration.
- Mud, Sand, and Water: Create a sensory-rich environment for mud pies and culinary adventures.
Hand polished stainless steel: The Melissa & doug stainless steel pots & pans play set for kids is an 8 piece stainless steel set including a colander, pot with lid, 2 pans, 2 wooden utensils, and rack
Includes: Wet And Dry Activity Areas, Hob And “Mud Kitchen” Stencils, Oven Door, Removable Splash Tub, Storage, Hanging Rail, Chalkboard, Serving Station, And Stainless Steel Pots, Pans, And Whisk.
6. Nature Exploration Tools
Foster a sense of wonder and curiosity with tools for nature exploration:
- Magnifying Glasses: Invite children to observe insects, plants, and other natural wonders up close.
- Binoculars: Encourage birdwatching and exploration of the surrounding environment.
- Bug Catchers: Facilitate gentle observation and release of small creatures.
Get ready to explore the wide world around you with science discovery toys and tools that help kids build observation and critical thinking skills used by real scientists, school supplies,teacher supplies!
Discover the world with science & exploration toys designed just for kids to get up close with nature, peer into outer space, and get smart about science
4-Piece Bug Catching Playset: This High-Quality Playset Of Bug Toys Comes With 1 Mesh Critter Case, 1 Container With Magnifying Lid, 1 Tweezers And 1 Magnifier.
7. Loose Parts
Inspire open-ended play and creativity with loose parts:
- Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones: Offer versatile materials for construction, storytelling, and imaginative play.
- Seagrass and Twigs: Provide additional natural elements for exploration and creation.
36 Piece Kid’s Wooden Unit Building Set, Stacking sorting toy for toddlers.
#3 Twisted Seagrass 4.5mm-5mm 1lb coil
8. Outdoor Books and Journals
Encourage literacy and reflection with nature-themed books and journals:
- Nature Books: Inspire curiosity and learning with stories and facts about the natural world.
- Nature Journals: Invite children to document their outdoor adventures through drawing, writing, and observation.
Track, explore, discover, and create! This incredible choice in nature books for kids is full of activities you can bring on your adventures through your backyard, the park, the woods, and beyond. No matter the weather or where you live, Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids shows you how to dive into fun and games like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, or building a sundial to tell the time.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Simple and Easy to use kids nature journal.
9. Outdoor Music Instruments
Explore rhythm and sound in the natural environment with outdoor-friendly musical instruments:
- Drums, Xylophones, and Wind Chimes: Create opportunities for musical exploration and expression amidst the sounds of nature.
Inspire Budding Musicians: Featuring 1 tambourine, 1 castanet, 1 hand drum, 2 hand bells, 1 maracas, 1 flute, 1 wooden block with stick, 1 wood sounder with stick and 1 chime bar with stick, our baby musical toys are a way to introduce kids to music!
10. Open Space for Movement
Provide ample space for physical activity and gross motor development:
- Running, Jumping, Climbing: Foster physical strength, coordination, and spatial awareness in a natural outdoor setting.
Dripex modifiable climbing toys consists of 3 parts, with the standout feature that the triangle climber can be freely adjusted to any shape and height you want, more than the other regular climbing triangle set. By setting different modes and combine different parts, kids will have a whole day fun in this wonderful playset.
By embracing the principles of Montessori outdoor play and incorporating these essential items and activities into your outdoor space, you can create an environment that nurtures children's innate curiosity, creativity, and connection with the natural world. Let's step outside and embark on a journey of exploration, discovery, and wonder, where every moment becomes an opportunity for growth and learning.
