There’s something special about taking play outside. The moment toes touch the earth, and little hands start to explore, something shifts. The pace slows. The senses awaken. And play becomes something deeper—more connected.

One of our favorite ways to tap into this magic is with outdoor playdough and natural loose parts. It’s simple, sensory-rich, and completely child-led.

 Foraging Barefoot

We begin with a barefoot forage through the garden. It’s not rushed. It’s a slow, mindful gathering of whatever nature offers us that day:

• Sweet pea spirals

• Mint leaves

• Rose petals

• Rosemary sprigs

• Bark, moss, or a few blades of grass

These items go into our loose parts basket, each one with its own scent, texture, and beauty.

 The Setup

Once we’ve gathered enough, we lay out our playdough in a shady spot—on a picnic cloth, a stump, or even right on the ground. The natural materials invite open-ended play. There’s no right or wrong. No instructions needed. Just...

🐾 1. Barefoot Walking Trails

• Create a barefoot sensory path across different grass textures.

• Add sections with clover, moss, soft meadow grass, or damp earth.

• Encourage slow walking to notice tickles, coolness, and prickles.

✨ Teaches grounding, calm, and body awareness.

🌾 2. Grass Weaving & Crowns

• Weave long grass into bracelets, headbands, or simple mats.

• Use dandelion stems or clover chains for colour.

• Talk about how children in Sweden and Finland make floral crowns at Midsummer.

🦗 3. Meadow Bug Safaris

• Provide magnifying glasses and bug pots to explore mini beasts.

• Look for crickets, beetles, butterflies, and ants.

• Encourage children to lie down quietly in the grass and listen.

“What stories do the grasshoppers whisper?”

🎨 4. Painting with Grass

• Bundle long grasses and use as natural brushes with paint or water.

• Or dip seed heads in mud or clay to stamp textures onto fabric or paper.

• Try

  ...

There’s a special kind of magic that settles in during the summer months — not loud or extravagant,
but quiet and golden. It lives in the in-between moments: the gentle clink of spoons in mixing bowls
under the shade of a tree, the giggles of children as they snack on strawberries they helped to grow,
the excited squeals of the garden as everyone watches a ladybird crawl across a tiny hand.

Summer in our setting isn’t about rigid plans or fixed outcomes. It’s about feeling the season — living
it, slowly and with intention.

We spend much of our time outdoors. Alfresco dining becomes second nature, and meals are often
picnicked on a blanket in the garden, with the scent of herbs and freshly watered soil in the air.
There’s something beautifully grounding about sharing food under open skies. Somehow, even the
simplest snack feels like a feast when the sun is shining and everyone’s feet are bare.

Our days follow a gentler rhythm in the warmer months. Mornings begin with open doors and
curious...

As an early years teacher, consultant—and most importantly, a mummy—my plan for the summer might sound a little unconventional:

I’m not making one.

No packed schedules.
No endless checklists.
No pressure to fill every day with activities.

Instead, I’m creating space for something slower, softer, and more meaningful. I've created a short little guide for you to dip in and out of which is available here. Here's what I'm gently focusing on to help shape a slow and beautiful summer together:

1. Embracing a Gentle Daily Rhythm

Inspired by the slow-paced family life I’ve observed in parts of Scandinavia and Canada, we're leaning into:

• Unhurried mornings

• Time outdoors each day

• Cosy rituals like reading, crafting, and sharing food
  No fixed agenda—just flow.

  

2. Decluttering Our Play Spaces

Before the holidays begin, I’m simplifying our environment:

• Rotating toys

• Clearing out the excess

• Creating calming, open-ended spaces that invite creativity and

  ...

The beautiful white, frothy elderflowers tend to bloom in late May, turning to elderberries in late August. Prime picking time is in the morning, on a sunny day (before insects have taken the pollen). Once regarded as one of the most magically powerful of trees, elder is a forager's favourite and its flowers are the scent of summer. The flowers and berries are the only edible part of the Elder Tree. They are mildly toxic and have an unpleasant taste when raw. Cooking destroys the toxic chemicals.

Here are a few activities to explore:

1. Make delicious elderflower cordial or gin!
2. Add them to cakes or biscuits 
3. Try them deep-fried to make tasty elderflower fritters 
4. Make elderflower jam
5. Add them to homemade Playdough 
6. Add them to your mud kitchen and potions
7. Paint Elderflowers using a cotton bud to create a spray of white flowers - or splatter the paint to see what effect you get.

Find out more about Hygge in the Early Years here.

🧜‍♀️ The Mermaid’s Garden Lab: Immersive Nature Play & Storytelling Guide

🌊 Theme Overview

A nature-rich potion-making experience inspired by Nordic childhoods, weaving folklore, sensory play, and storytelling. Children become Tidespeakers, creators of magical sea-land brews to unlock mysteries from the underwater world.

🧪 Core Play Elements

Potion Station Includes:

• Sea-themed loose parts: shells, pebbles, sea glass, driftwood

• Garden + pantry finds: flower petals, herbs (mint, rosemary, lavender), coloured water (beetroot, blueberry, turmeric)

• Tools: wooden spoons, glass jars, little funnels, pipettes

• Magic touches: biodegradable glitter or confetti, shimmer water, ocean-scented herbs (dried seaweed or lemon balm)

  

📖 The Story Hook: “The Tideshell Prophecy”

A mysterious shell has washed ashore, whispering of sea dragons and lost kingdoms. To unlock its messages, the child must mix potions from both land and sea… guided only by curiosity and the magi...

This wonderful guest post is from my member Gemma Oliver who is also a fabulous Hygge in the Early Years Member

Over the past few years, I’ve been exploring the different areas of my setting and taking a deeper look at the learning opportunities we offer. A key focus has been how we incorporate Hygge into our everyday routines—creating calm, connection, and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.

A Shift Toward Nature-Based Learning

Our journey has led us to gradually adapt our outdoor provision to reflect a more nature-based way of learning. This ethos now sits at the heart of our setting. Hygge in the Early Years helped me to understand the importance of connecting with nature, and how vital this connection is to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

We spend much of our time outdoors—whatever the weather—and often barefoot. There’s something truly special about children feeling the earth beneath their feet. It brings a beautiful sense of freedom...

This wonderful guest post is from my member Gemma Oliver who is also a fabulous Hygge in the Early Years Member

Over the past few years, I’ve been exploring the different areas of my setting and taking a deeper look at the learning opportunities we offer. A key focus has been how we incorporate Hygge into our everyday routines—creating calm, connection, and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.

A Shift Toward Nature-Based Learning

Our journey has led us to gradually adapt our outdoor provision to reflect a more nature-based way of learning. This ethos now sits at the heart of our setting. Hygge in the Early Years helped me to understand the importance of connecting with nature, and how vital this connection is to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

We spend much of our time outdoors—whatever the weather—and often barefoot. There’s something truly special about children feeling the earth beneath their feet. It brings a beautiful sense of freedom...

 You’ve spent hours setting up what you believe is a beautiful, inspiring play environment—but the children aren’t playing. Why not?

Let’s look through this with my Hygge in the Early Years lens, and ask:

“What do children need from this space to feel at ease, curious, and connected?”

Let’s problem-solve together:

⸻

 Time to Sink In

Peter Gray, a research professor on play, reminds us that it can take children up to 45 minutes to truly immerse themselves in play. If we interrupt this flow—by giving directions, asking questions, or shifting the activity—the clock resets. Are we giving them enough uninterrupted time to get lost in their play?

⸻

 Familiarity with Materials

Your space may be filled with beautiful loose parts and open-ended resources—but are these familiar to the children? If not, they may feel unsure or overwhelmed. Try introducing new materials gradually and modeling their use, supporting children as they learn how to engage creatively....