{"id":32933,"date":"2025-04-30T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=32933"},"modified":"2025-04-18T16:32:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T20:32:58","slug":"petal-playtime-nature-inspired-sensory-adventures-for-babies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2025\/04\/petal-playtime-nature-inspired-sensory-adventures-for-babies\/","title":{"rendered":"Petal Playtime: Nature-Inspired Sensory Adventures for Babies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nature’s sights, smells, and textures inspire adults daily. Why not explore that same inspiration with children? We wanted to create a nature-based program that would delight babies and their caregivers alike. Sensory play is a great way to engage multiple senses in learning, and nature offers many opportunities. Read on to learn how we created Petal Playtime for those aged 0 to 18 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Supplies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because this program involves specialized supplies, we created a program kit with most materials. We used a 9.0-liter plastic box, making it easy to move between locations. The hosting building provides a few consumable supplies. The kit’s home location purchased the needed specialty supplies, like the extracts. Now, we can replace the dough as necessary, but reduce costs by limiting purchases of more expensive supplies to a single location. If your sensory bottles contain liquid, you may want to prep them in advance and seal the bottles with hot glue.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Flower petal sensory bins let little hands explore textures, shapes, and colors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Program Prep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before launching the program, we created a detailed outline and activity instructions. We also identified and tested a scented dough recipe. We made the dough several weeks in advance, and if stored well, it lasts through several sessions. Like many kit programs, Petal Playtime requires minimal preparation before the scheduled date. We host Petal Playtime as a ticketed program with limited capacity based on the available supplies and space in the room. These capacity limits help manage crowds and ensure supplies for all participants. Each building identifies its limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the morning of the program, staff set up the activity stations in their room based on their building’s unique layout and safety considerations. We set up activities on the floor to make it easy for babies and caregivers to interact. Consider including a designated area for strollers, car seats, or other personal belongings to make it easier to explore without stuff. Thirty minutes before each program, we distribute free tickets. These guarantee a space in the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activity Stations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Activity<\/strong><\/td>Supplies Needed<\/strong><\/td>Objective<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Flower petal play<\/td>Rose petals<\/a>, artificial flower heads<\/a>, plastic bins<\/a> or tubs <\/td>Encourage sensory exploration by manipulating flowers and petals. While we used fake flowers, you could replace them with leaves, petals, or other items collected from nature.<\/td><\/tr>
Flower sensory bottles<\/td>Artificial flowers<\/a>, flower buttons<\/a>, flower confetti<\/a>, sensory tubes<\/a> <\/td>Explore sensory experiences by shaking, rolling, tapping, or manipulating sensory bottles with various filler materials. A liquid base, like water, dish detergent, or baby oil, is optional. <\/td><\/tr>
Flower dough<\/td>Baby oil<\/a>, cream of tartar<\/a>, essential oils<\/a>, flour<\/a>, food coloring<\/a>, reusable sandwich bags<\/a>, salt<\/a> <\/td>Explore hands-on play by squeezing, pushing, rolling, and manipulating dough. To start, we chose five scents.<\/td><\/tr>
Flower art<\/td>Construction paper<\/a> or cardstock<\/a>, finger paint<\/a>, craft sticks<\/a>, ribbon<\/a>, glue<\/a> or tape <\/td>Use baby’s palm and\/or fingers to create personal works of art. If you offer this program near a holiday, these keepsakes make great gifts or mementos that caregivers can share.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Home Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With this program, we also wanted caregivers to leave with actionable strategies to try at home. In addition to having fun at the library, we hope caregivers feel empowered to replicate our activities or build on them in their own lives. We focus on easily recreated activities using household items. However, we also note at-home extensions that caregivers can try. Here are some at-home extensions that we suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activity<\/strong><\/td>At-Home Extension<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Flower petal play<\/td>Take your baby on a walk around the neighborhood. What flowers, plants, or trees can you find? Let your baby feel the different textures, smell the flowers, and interact with nature.<\/td><\/tr>
Flower sensory bottles<\/td>Create a sensory bottle with natural elements around you! Take a walk and collect flowers, leaves, sticks, or other elements from your local plants and flowers. Then, use them to fill your bottle. As you play, talk about where you found the items and their unique characteristics.<\/td><\/tr>
Flower dough<\/td>Create playdough! Use recipes with different ingredients to explore textures, smells, and tastes. Edible dough recipes work well for babies who enjoy tasting.<\/td><\/tr>
Flower art<\/td>Take a walk around your neighborhood and gather different flowers. First, fold a piece of paper in half and put the flowers on top. Then, cover the paper and flowers with a piece of wax paper. Gently place it into a bag and seal it. Next, hammer away at the petals using a mallet, hammer, or even your hands. Finally, carefully remove the paper from the bag to reveal your art.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
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Sensory bottles and sensory bins offer different ways for children to explore nature.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Tips and Feedback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our first Petal Playtime had 31 attendees, perfect for the intended audience. Next, we’ll continue offering the program throughout spring and summer. Further, we’ll collect feedback from attendees and presenters. Ultimately, we’d like to expand this program to seasonal applications and additional nature-based play elements. Here are some tips we’ve collected so far:<\/p>\n\n\n\n