Frederick County Developmental Center

Give your child a chance to be a “garden helper” by letting them water plants, dig in soil, or use small tools alongside you. What looks like simple outdoor play is actually powerful learning—it supports sensory exploration, builds fine motor strength, and encourages responsibility. It also helps children begin to understand routines and cause-and-effect as they see how their actions help living things grow and change over time.

When it's hot outside, pull out the paintbrushes and bowls and let your child paint with water! They can paint on the sidewalk, blacktop, wooden fence, or your front steps. There's no wrong way to do it. Watch how the water strokes disappear in the sun and heat, and then you can paint again. Just make sure the ground isn't too hot for your child's hands and feet. Here are some more ideas on how to incorporate water play into your child's day: https://www.habitot.org/habitot-at-home/sensory-play/painting-with-water-playing-with-water/