Touch the Garden

What you need

• a bag for any big leaves they want to keep

How to do it

1. Carry them or walk slowly round the garden or park together.
2. Stop at different things and touch them gently: tree bark, a smooth stone wall, soft grass, a big leaf.
3. Say one word for each: rough, cold, smooth, soft.
4. Go back to the one they liked best and touch it again.

Why it matters

Touching the outdoors with their own hands turns a walk into lots of small discoveries.

What they're learning

Feeling textures

Rough bark, soft grass and cold stone each feel different.

First describing words

Each touch comes with a word to hear.

Exploring outside

Stopping to touch things is how the outdoors becomes familiar.

What to look for

Notice them reaching out to touch something before you do.

A tip

Steer away from nettles, holly and anything with berries. Wipe hands afterwards and keep fingers out of mouths.

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