Nature Texture Collage Sensory Tray

Clear contact paper

A tray or flat table surface

Collected nature items: leaves, bark, petals, pebbles, twigs, seed pods

Tape

Take a short walk with your child and collect interesting natural items — leaves, bark, petals, pebbles, twigs.

Back home, tape contact paper sticky-side-up onto a tray or table.

Spread out all the nature finds so your child can see and touch each one.

Model pressing a leaf onto the sticky surface and watching it stay.

Encourage your child to feel each item first — smooth pebbles, rough bark, soft petals — then place it.

Let them arrange the items however they wish — patterns, shapes, or free-form.

Seal the collage by pressing a second sheet of contact paper on top, then hang it in a window.

The walk is half the activity. Talking about textures you find outdoors is sensory learning in action.

Encourage descriptive words: "Is that rough or smooth? Bumpy or flat? Light or heavy?"

Heavier items like pebbles may not stick well — press firmly or save them for a separate display.

Sealed nature collages look beautiful in a sunny window. The light shines through translucent petals and leaves.

This makes a lovely keepsake — date it and add it to your child's portfolio.