Fall Sensory Garden with Kids

As we started to clean up our spring/summer sensory garden and ready it for the fall and winter months coming, it occurred to me that we could make a fall sensory garden just as we had at the start of spring.  Of course the plants and some elements would change, but wouldn't it make a nice place to relax this fall.

Sight

• bright colored mums
• pansies and violas
• ornamental kale
• carrots, onions, garlic, beets, radishes
• pumpkins and gourds
• twinkle lights and lanterns for early sunsets
• bird feeders
• harvest baskets
• garden art elements
• consider planting bulbs for spring

Hearing

• listen for rustling leaves and bird calls
• wind chimes (we changed our light, tinkly sounding ones for ones that make a deeper, richer sound)
• small water fountain

Touch

• Indian corn
• plants like celosia have an interesting texture.
• ornamental gourds
• fuzzy blankets
• soft pillows
• smooth river rocks

Smell

• mums (although I don't care for their scent, they do have a strong, unique scent)
• herbs

Taste

• plant cool weather vegetables like carrots, greens, swiss chard, radishes, garlic, onions
• some herbs like rosemary, cilantro, oregano, sage

Ways to use your Sensory Garden

• talk about the change in seasons and how the garden changes
• watch for birds coming to feed
• make dinner together using the herbs and veggies from the area
• make a flower arrangement for the table
• do homework 
• read a great book silently or together
• have a tea party (cinnamon spice tea with sliced apples is yummy)
• play board games 
• use it to inspire writing or art