The winter holidays are a wonderful time to encourage meaningful family time, especially through nature-inspired play. At Sorella Early Learning Centre, we believe that connecting with the natural world helps children develop curiosity, confidence, and calm, perfect ingredients for a joyful school break.
Even with cooler weather, local parks and gardens offer fantastic learning opportunities. Try planning a “nature bingo” walk with your child. Create a list of things to spot: a bird’s nest, a round rock, something yellow, or a tree that’s lost its leaves. This playful challenge supports observational skills and turns an ordinary outing into a purposeful activity.
Back at home, bring nature indoors. Set up a mini nature table where your child can display their finds—sticks, leaves, shells, or seed pods. Include a magnifying glass and some drawing materials so they can take a closer look and record what they see. This supports early science skills and helps children feel proud of their discoveries.
You can also incorporate nature into everyday family routines. Make pine-scented playdough, brew herbal tea together, or read books about winter animals and how they adapt to the season. Ask your child what they notice about how nature changes in colder months.
If you’re looking for a creative twist, use natural materials to make your own puzzles or artworks. Try leaf rubbing with crayons, building a sculpture from twigs and clay, or pressing flowers between books to use in handmade cards.
At Sorella, we believe children are active participants in their own learning. Nature offers endless possibilities for open-ended exploration and creative play. This winter, we encourage families to take the time to pause, look closely, and enjoy the peaceful pace of the season.
Let the outdoors inspire your holidays—and turn everyday moments into something meaningful and fun.