Imaginative Play Setup: 'Cooking' with Nature

We've been enjoying many nature walks & collecting more goodies on our travels. Minnie has loved exploring all our finds but I thought I'd set them up in a slightly different way, so I left them out for her to find in the kitchen.


There were...

Conkers
Herbs; 2 varieties of lavender, rosemary & thyme
Bay leaves

Selection of autumn leaves

Sycamore seeds & acorns

Ivy seed heads

Lavender seeds

Minnie was so excited to see the setup & wanted to 'get cooking' immediately!



As she played I loved hearing her enthusiastic comments. "You add one leaf at a go to the mix", "I have to keep stirring or I'll get stuck", & "It's yummy Mummy in my tummy!"



Once she had completely mixed her chosen ingredients she popped her 'cake' into her imaginary oven under the table & 'baked' the cake! When it was 'cooked' she emptied all the ingredients out  & started to mix them again, & again!


She found these in the kitchen so added them to the mix as well.



Later she asked for a baking tray, which was a great way of exploring the sound as well as the texture of the objects.


Even Peppa Pig stopped by & helped!


Minnie's next request was for a recipe book which she flicked through until she found her chosen recipe. ;-) More baking followed, this time with the addition of cupcake cases!


Through this process Minnie was able to explore texture, shape, size, quantity, colour, weight, sound, seasons, motor skills, & so much more.


Natural objects, a bowl & wooden spoon - a perfect recipe for discovery!