Exploring nature community and education

As the owner and manager of Happy Bunnies Nursery School, I am delighted to share the joy and excitement our children experienced on our recent trip to the Botanical Gardens and market in Cambridge. Join us as we delve into the enriching experiences that our children had, fostering their love for nature, community engagement and early education.

Cultivating a love for nature at the Botanical Gardens

At Happy Bunnies Nursery School, we believe in providing our children with opportunities to connect with the natural world. Our visit to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge allowed our little explorers to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature. Here are some of the activities we did on our trip that you and your little ones could do at a nature reserve, garden or simply outside your setting!

Nature scavenger hunt

Create a scavenger hunt checklist with items for the children to find in the gardens, such as different types of flowers, leaves or insects. Provide them with a small bag or basket to collect their treasures. This activity encourages observation skills, curiosity and an appreciation for the diversity of nature.

Flower pressing

Gather some paper and a small flower press or heavy books. Encourage the children to pick a few flowers (with permission) and press them between the paper and press or books. Explain to the children that this will preserve the flowers' beauty. This activity promotes fine motor skills, patience and an understanding of the life cycle of plants.

Sensory garden exploration

Take the children on a guided sensory exploration. Encourage them to touch different leaves, smell the flowers and listen out for sounds in nature. You can also involve them in a discussion about the different textures, scents and sounds they encounter. This activity stimulates their senses, enhances language development and fosters a connection with the natural world.

Botanical art

Provide the children with paper, crayons, and coloured pencils. Encourage them to sit in a quiet spot outside and draw what they see. This activity promotes creativity, observation skills and an appreciation for the beauty of nature. You can also invite them to share their drawings and discuss the different plants and flowers they found.

These activities will allow the children to engage with nature in a hands on and meaningful way. They will have the opportunity to explore, learn and develop a deeper connection with the natural world around them.

Connecting with the community at the local market

Our visit to the bustling market in Cambridge was an excellent opportunity for our children to interact with local vendors and experience the vibrant atmosphere of a community gathering.  As we explored the market stalls, the children eagerly interacted with the vendors, asking questions and learning about different types of produce and crafts. We encouraged the children to use their senses to explore the textures, smells and colours of the various items on display and sparked conversations about healthy eating habits.
Here are some activity ideas inspired by our visit that you might like to use after a visit to your local market with your setting.

Market role play

Set up a pretend market area in your nursery school where child ren can take turns playing the roles of vendors and customers. Provide them with play money, fruits, vegetables and other items they encountered at the market. This activity promotes imaginative play, social skills and numeracy as they engage in buying and selling.

Market collage

Provide the children with magazines, newspapers and catalogues. Ask them to cut out pictures of different fruits, vegetables and other items they saw at the market. Let them create a collage by gluing the images onto a large piece of paper. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills and strengthens their memory of the market experience.

Sensory exploration

Set up a sensory table with various fruits and vegetables. Let the children touch, smell and explore the different textures. Encourage them to describe the sensory experiences and discuss the importance of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables for their health. This activity promotes sensory development, language skills and healthy eating habits.

Market maths

Create a math activity using the items they encountered at the market. Set up different stations with scales, measuring cups and pretend money. Ask the children to weigh and measure fruits and vegetables and practice counting and sorting coins. This activity enhances their numeracy skills and introduces them to concepts of measurement and currency.

These activities will help the children remember the lessons they learned during the visit to the market and provide opportunities for further exploration and engagement. They also promote various developmental areas such as imagination, sensory skills, mathematics and emotional development.

I am immensely proud and deeply grateful for our dedicated team of nursery educators who go above and beyond to create these meaningful experiences for our children. Together, we are shaping young minds, instilling values and preparing our children for a bright and promising future.

This article has been taken from our latest early years magazine, Little Learners. For more inspirational early years content like this, you can subscribe to receive our magazine for FREE or find out more on our Little Learners homepage.