Children experience their surroundings in a different way than adults do. They use all their senses to take in their surroundings. They don't just look - They touch, smell, listen and explore.

A sensory garden is designed to encourage their natural curiosity. Using things like textured pathways, scented planting and encouraging nature, you can make even a small space something really special. As a little challenge, we got a planter that would easily fit under a window in a backyard, to see if we could fit as many senses into it as possible! 

Touch

Touch is often the first way children connect with a place. 

Soft, rough, smooth, and bumpy textures all give different sensory feedback and help children to feel more grounded and present. 

Some great options include;

• Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) - Famously soft and comforting.
• Bunnys Tails (Lagurus ovatus) - Light, fluffy and fun.
• Moss - For soft, spongy, springy feel.
• Gravel, bark and sand for contrast. 
• Stepping stones or textured paths. 

You could even create a simple texture trail or wall, encouraging children to explore the different surfaces with their hands or feet. 

Picture is Lambs ear which feels soft and furry to touch.

Smell

Scent is strongly linked to memory and emotion, making it a powerful part of a sensory garden. We know smells can take you back to a moment instantly! 

Fragrant plants can help children feel calm, focused or simply curious.

Try planting;

• Lavender - Well known for its calming effect and a favourite with pollinators like bees and butterflies!
• Mint - Fresh and strong, there are many types of mint plants, even chocolate mint. This is a familiar smell which can remind us of brushing our teeth. Great for interaction.
• Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) - Not for eating! Though this plant smells just like there is a curry cooking ready for tea. 
• Sweet Peas - You can get all colour of sweet peas and they are quite fragrant, they also climb, so are good to use on a sensory wall or on a trellis arch to walk under. 

Encourage children to gently rub leaves between their fingers to release the scent - it turns a simple plant into an experience. 

Picture is Curry plant with Lavender in the background.

Listen

Sound can be incredibly soothing, especially for children who benefit from calm, repetitive input. 

Subtle sound is generally the best, you don't need anything loud drowning out the sounds of nature. 

• Ideas include;
• Wind chimes or bamboo chimes. You could even make your own wind chime using shells, beads or old DVD's (Just make sure its not one of an important family event!) 
• Tall grasses that rustle in the wind. 
• A small trickling water feature.
  
• A rain drum. 

These elements create a peaceful background that helps children relax without even realising it. 

See

Bright colours, changing light and little surprises all help keep children engaged. In your sensory garden or space you could include 

• Colourful flowers like sunflowers or marigolds. Flowers like Livingstone daises that open and close with the sun. 
• Sun catchers that reflect rainbow light. There are many ideas on social media of home made sun catchers that could be made together to add to the fun. 
• Painted stones or signs.
• Mini figures or fairy gardens. These could relate to a special interest of your child like farm animals or vehicles. 

Picture is of a bug hotel and shallow bird bath to encourage wildlife.

Taste

Many herbs and flowers are edible, but it may not be the best idea to encourage young children to start eating them, in case they eat something they shouldn't, however, sitting in the garden with a picnic , being surrounded by the sights and sounds is still a lovely experience for anyone. 

Why not have a go yourself? If you do, please send photos in on social media, we would love to see them!