Swamp Explorers Dramatic Pretend Play

Swamp explorers swamp sensory bin

This swamp explorers activity for kids is a water dramatic play idea that builds skills through sensory swamp fun! As parents and caregivers, we’re always on the lookout for fun and educational activities to keep our kids engaged and entertained. If you’re looking for an activity that will transport your child to a whole new world of imaginative play, look no further than a swamp sensory bin! By creating a miniature swamp environment in a bin filled with sensory materials, you can encourage your child’s creativity and sensory exploration while also helping them learn about the natural world. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to set up a swamp sensory bin and provide some ideas for how your child can use it for pretend play. Get ready to dive into the murky depths of a swamp and have some swamp-tastic fun!

Swamp Sensory Bin

A Swamp explorers activity with water dramatic play is a fun way to pretend to explore a swamp…without the threat of alligators and snakes!

 
We love great sensory play.  So when I saw these lizards, snakes, and bugs I knew we had to create a swampy sensory play.  With a little summer learning mixed in!
 
I set this up for the kids by scattering a few creatures around our yard, and creating a swamp sensory bin.  Complete with mucky water.
Swamp explorers swamp sensory bin
 
 
 
When they saw the swamp in our baby pool, they jumped right in!  We went on a hunt looking for swampy creatures of all colors.
 
 
 
 
This activity is a great backyard sensory activity! It incorporates all the benefits of a nature walk with a fun theme like a swamp explorers and swamp theme!
 
We had a check list to find creatures of different types and color.  These were stuck on to a wipe board with play dough for easy portability around the yard.
 
 
Big Sister carried this around as she and Little Guy went on a hunt for swamp creatures.  She would mark them off as they found each one.  We talked about similarities and differences in the animal types and colors.  She loved using a white board marker to write.  We worked on her handwriting including letter formation and spacing. 
 
Little Guy is a new four year old and counted out each of the lizards, snakes, and bugs he found. 
 
He did a great one-to-one correspondence and is getting much better at sloooowing down when he counts objects!  This was such a fun outdoor learn and play activity for all of us!
 
 
You may also enjoy some of our other swamp related posts:
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.