Backyard exploring – Baby

The sensory experiences the backyard provides are great for babies.

Did you know?

Babies learn through exploring their senses. They will be delighted by the noises of crunchy leaves or birds chirping, smells of herbs or flowers, and feel of petals or feathers.

Add language

Describe the feel of different items as you stroke them against baby’s hand e.g. “soft”, “smooth”, or “bumpy”. Comment on noises you may hear such as birds, aeroplanes or traffic.

Variations

Try spending some of yours and baby’s usual mat/play time outside instead. A mat on soft grass provides a comfortable surface for some tummy time. Tummy time builds baby’s head, neck and upper body strength. Being outside encourages baby to look up at novel sounds and sights.

Safety

Know what kinds of plants are in your backyard and if they are ok to touch and/or taste. UV rays can be harmful to babies’ delicate skin so look for shady areas and use sun protection.
Kid Safe has put together a fact sheet on toxic plants and kids, you can view it here.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. See how backyard exploring can be fun for toddlers, children and playgroups.

Activities listed under “baby” are suitable for children under 12 months. This age is largely about babies exploring their own bodies and the world around them from the safety of a close relationship with their caregiver.