Garden Sensory Play for Kids: Build, Explore, and Bloom

If you’ve got little ones who love flowers, dirt, or just getting their hands into everything—this garden-themed sensory play is going to be a hit! 

We used a toy set of buildable plastic flowers and added a few simple sensory materials (like rolled oats) to create a hands-on activity that kept both girls engaged in their own way. My toddler loved digging, scooping, and mixing, while my oldest got creative arranging the flowers and turning it into pretend play.

It was one of those simple ideas that turned into a whole afternoon of learning, laughter, and imaginative fun—and I can’t wait to share all the details with you!

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Materials We Used

We used rolled oats as the base for our sensory bin, but there are SO many fun ways to play!

Here’s what we used:

• Buildable plastic flower toy set – Ours came with all different flowers and leaves. My girls loved mixing and matching all the pieces.
• Rolled oats – Safe to taste, soft to the touch, and perfect for scooping and pouring. (You can also use other base materials depending on your space or preferences—check out more options below!)
• Small flower pots – Perfect for “planting” flowers and making pretty arrangements.
• Spoons, cups, and funnels —  For scooping, pouring, digging, and more.

This activity is super easy to customize! Here are a few other base ideas that work just as well:

• Kinetic sand – Soft and moldable, perfect for indoor setups.
• Dried black beans or lentils – A clean, dirt-free option with a nice texture.
• Dyed rice or green Easter grass – For a more colorful and less messy version.
• Potting soil – For a more realistic gardening experience (great for outdoors!).
• Sand table – A great option if you already have one! It adds a real “gardening” feel and gives kids something to dig and scoop.
• Optional extras – A watering can, small buckets, or sand toys for pretend play.

Pick what works best for your space and your kids—and don’t be afraid to mix it up depending on the season or what you have on hand!

Play Ideas & Learning Opportunities

One of the things I love most about sensory play is how it meets each child right where they are—and this little garden setup was no exception!

My two-year-old jumped right into scooping sand, burying flower pieces, and digging them back up like a little garden archaeologist. She was all about the textures and the motion—scoop, pour, repeat! For her, this play was all about sensory exploration and fine motor practice (even if she didn’t know it 😉).

My six-year-old took a totally different approach. She spent her time carefully building “flower arrangements” in the little flowerpots we used. Her play turned into a mix of creative storytelling, problem-solving, and even a little early science learning as we talked about real plants, roots, and how flowers grow.

Some natural learning opportunities that popped up included:

• Fine motor skills – Twisting, stacking, and placing the flower parts helped build those little hand muscles.
• Color and shape recognition – Lots of chances to sort, match, and name colors and parts.
• Imaginative play – From running a garden store to planting magical flowers, their creativity was blooming right along with the toy set.
• Science and nature talk – We chatted about how real flowers grow, what they need to survive, and even spotted a few bugs outside to tie it all together.
• Sensory regulation – Scooping and pouring are naturally calming for little ones (and such a great tool for resetting a cranky mood!).
  

It’s amazing how a simple setup like this can turn into so many learning moments—without any pressure or structured activity. Just open-ended play and plenty of room to explore.

Want More Fun, Faith-Based Crafts?

If your kids loved this garden sensory play, they’re sure to enjoy my free Bible Handprint Crafts collection! These simple and meaningful crafts incorporate your child’s handprints, and one of my favorites is the Wildflower Handprint Craft—perfect for tying into this garden activity.

👉 Sign up below to get instant access to these free Bible handprint crafts and start crafting with your little ones today!

Clean-Up and Storage Tips

With most of the sensory bins we use in our home, I have a simple system that makes cleanup quick and storage a breeze:

• I pour the sensory base (in this case, rolled oats) into a gallon-sized zip-top bag once it’s dry and clean.
• All the tools, toys, and extras go into a large plastic storage tub that I keep tucked under my bed.
• I try to keep everything together by theme so I can pull out a garden bin, ocean bin, or holiday bin whenever we need a fun activity with zero prep.

It’s not fancy, but it works—and it helps me rotate activities without having to reinvent the wheel every time. Plus, the girls love it when I bring back a “new” bin that’s actually just something they haven’t seen in a few weeks!

Looking for More Hands-On Learning?

If your little ones loved the garden sensory play as much as mine did, you might also enjoy my Alphabet Activities for Preschool—a fun, hands-on way to practice letter recognition with both uppercase and lowercase letters!

It’s perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, or even early kindergarteners who are starting to connect letters and sounds. The activities are playful, low-prep, and great for pairing with sensory play—just imagine hiding letter cards in a bin of beans or laying them out in a flower-themed scavenger hunt!

🌼 Click here to check out the Alphabet Activities on Teachers Pay Teachers!

It’s a great way to sneak in learning while keeping the fun going!

And if you’re on the hunt for more fun and simple activities to keep your little learners engaged, here are a few more favorites from the blog:

🌊 Easy and Fun Paper Plate Ocean Craft – A cute and creative project that’s perfect for summer or an under-the-sea theme.
🦈 The Best Shark Craft for Kids – Super simple and always a hit with preschoolers.
🌈 Color Mixing for Toddlers and Preschoolers – A fun and totally magical way to explore primary and secondary colors.
🥧 Easy Fall Sensory Bin Idea – A cozy, seasonal setup that’s perfect for scooping, sorting, and engaging little hands.

There’s nothing better than simple activities that spark imagination, build skills, and bring you closer together in the process. 

I hope this garden-themed sensory play inspires some fun and learning with your little ones! I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it—feel free to leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram with your playtime photos. I love seeing all the creative ways you make these activities your own!