Pack your imagination—and maybe a few twigs. Today in Adventure Fun, we’re heading into the backyard for a creative play setup that’s all about storytelling, sensory exploration, and nature-based discovery. Camp Counselor Sami is showing us how to create Small Worlds using water, natural loose parts, and a whole lot of kid creativity.

Her own campers (ages 5 and 8) built a magical turtle pond using backyard finds and a few favorite accessories. The best part? These setups are endlessly customizable—and they evolve as your kids play. Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need

• A large container that can hold water (tuff tray, water table, storage bin, baking tray—anything with sides)
• Natural loose parts: rocks, sticks, leaves, grass, bark, flowers, etc.
• Optional small toys or figures (like plastic animals, people, or wood blocks)
•  Water

How to Create Your Small World

Pick your theme.

Encourage your kids to choose what kind of world they want to build. Sami’s kids picked a turtle pond—turtles being a household favorite! Their idea shaped what they went out and gathered.

Forage for materials.

Head outside and collect nature treasures. Think pebbles, sticks, flowers, big leaves, small pinecones—whatever fits your theme and sparks curiosity.

Set it all up.

Arrange your finds inside your container. Larger items (like rocks and sticks) can help create terrain, tunnels, and little hideouts. The setup doesn't need to be perfect—let the kids take the lead!

Add water.

Carefully pour in enough water to partially cover your setup. This adds a whole new sensory element and makes the world feel alive and immersive.

Start the play!

Let the storytelling begin! As your kids play, they’ll naturally invent scenarios and think of new features to add. Sami’s son decided his turtles needed a shady bridge and added a tunnel arch for them to hide under—completely unprompted. That’s the magic of small world play—it evolves right along with your kids’ imaginations.

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Camp Counselor Tip: Don’t worry about having the “right” materials. Anything you find around the house or yard can spark inspiration. The less polished, the better—it keeps the focus on creativity and open-ended play. 

Meet Camp Counselor Sami:

Sami is a play based learning expert with over 15 years of experience facilitating and supporting learning through play in homes and classrooms. She is also the creator and educator behind @everydaywitheandj on instagram and everydaywitheandj.com where she’s always sharing tips & play inspiration! She lives in the Green Mountains of Vermont with her 2 children & husband, + a handsome tuxedo cat.