This post is all about turning a visit to your local stream into a sensory experience for the kids. Creeks and streams are full of amazing opportunities for kids to get immersed (literally!) in nature. Playing in or near a stream is not only a learning experience about the natural world around them, but it’s also a chance for kids to get wet, muddy and have a lot of fun! We’ve already covered all the amazing benefits of letting your kids play in the creek. Today, we have Brooke Selb from wreckingroutine.com sharing the benefits of streamside sensory play and how her family enjoys their local creeks and streams.
Trading the hikes for a stream
With two kids under the age of three, our days of hiking double-digit trails on a Saturday morning are no longer realistic. While our kids do pretty well on the trail, we are capping out around three miles. In fact, during our spring break staycation, we hiked two miles in mildly windy weather and both kids cried the entire time! Not the relaxing hike we envisioned.
However, both my kids (Zoey and William) absolutely adore sensory bins of any kind (think rice, beans, dried pasta, and shaving cream). They also love being outdoors (just like their mom and dad). So, we combined those two things into something fun and took the arduous hikes out of our routine.
Streamside sensory play
Streamside sensory play is the perfect activity to get us all outdoors. We get to discover more about our surroundings, learn about local nature, and get messy. When I first realized how much Zoey loved this type of play, we ended up venturing out to our nearby streams at least once a week. Now that the weather is warming up, we are back to it! Our girl could not be happier to share her love of outdoors and water with her younger brother.
How to choose a good spot
I have found a few spots near our house in Colorado that are perfect for streamside sensory play. Some things that I look for in a good location are:
- A flat and level area next to the stream. This prevents the kids from having to reach down into the water from slanted ground, which can lead to falls. We also look for flat areas so we can put out a blanket for William to sit on or as a place to rest and have a snack.
- Location with a variety of textures. We like areas where the kids can get wet and muddy, with rocks or trees nearby. Gathering rocks and sticks to use in the water is all part of the fun!
- Slow running water. I like the water to have a little movement. Not only does it help keep the bugs away, but it ensures that the water is not stagnant or smelly. Although, do not choose a spot with too much movement because when the toys inevitably slip out of wet hands, you want to be able to snag them before they get downstream too quickly.
- Shallow water. The kids love getting in the water as much as possible, so shallow water helps me ensure they’re safe.
How to play streamside
This is the best part…there are no rules! Just let them at it! Zoey is good at digging, scooping, and dumping. There is no end to what you can do waterside: putting pebbles in buckets, making mud pies, building sand castles, splashing in the water with her animal figurines, chasing/catching minnows, and changing colors of dry rocks once they get wet.
Getting wet is a must in the hot months and playing in a stream is a great way to cool off and immerse yourself in nature. Playing in the stream allows all your senses to be stimulated. From the smell of the surrounding woods, to the cool touch of the water and the sound of the babbling stream. I let Zoey take off her shoes and socks and squish her toes around in the mud. She giggles the whole time!
What to bring to the stream
Another good thing about playing in the stream is that you don’t need any fancy gear or equipment. Mainly, all you need is your imagination and a sense of adventure! However, there are a few things I’d recommend you bring along for your streamside outing:
- A change of clothes. The most fun part of streamside sensory play is that the kids can get as wet, muddy, and generally messy as they want. While I try to time trips to the stream with bath night, a change of clothes will at least get you home with dry, happy children.
- A hat. While some of the streams might be shady, often times the best spots for sensory play are in the open. Protect those little heads from that bright sun with a hat and/or sunscreen.
- A sand toy set. Buckets, shovels, rakes, spoons, cups, toothbrushes all make excellent streamside toys. Essentially, anything that allows them to dig in the mud and scoop water. I’ve even brought a paintbrush along to make mud pictures on the concrete or rocky areas.
- Animal figurines. We bought a cheap pack of little farm animals from the dollar store and Zoey adores playing with them in the stream. She builds muddy hole homes for them, dips them in the water to clean them, and hides them in the grass or under little rocks. They certainly add an extra element of fun.
- A towel. Be prepared for muddy feet and wet hands! It is also nice to be able to dry off hands before the all-important snack break.
- Snacks. This should be a given because if we are being real, we never leave the house for any activity without a cache of snacks. There’s something about fresh air seems to make the kids extra hungry.
Let them play
The essential part of streamside sensory play is to really let the kids discover with all of their senses (except maybe taste, because…mud). They will get wet, muddy, and just overall dirty. Let them do it! They’re making memories! I promise they will talk about that time they were allowed to get as muddy as they wanted for years to come.
About the author
Brooke Selb is a wife, mom of two, and lover of all things outdoors. As a Holistic Health Coach and Personal Trainer, she strives to make weight loss, running, and healthy eating accessible and sustainable for the busiest moms.