SENsory Explorers are quiet sessions where families with autistic children or children with additional needs can engage and immerse themselves in nature. These sessions offer a welcoming and supportive environment where families can learn and connect in nature. 

The activities are tailored to provide sensory experiences, such as using nets to observe pond animals and discovering minibeasts by lifting logs. The events aim to foster a sense of belonging, promote well-being, and deepen the children’s understanding of the natural world, ensuring that the activities are accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Taking place on a bright August morning at Camley Street Natural Park, the children and their guardians were welcomed into the visitor learning centre and got settled around a table to take part in crafts. As more children arrived, they quietly chattered amongst each themselves; some preferred to sit apart from the group but were content to join in alongside.  

“We have recently moved to London and it’s our first time coming to one of these sessions. It’s brilliant to have activities available as I have not been able to find it in the past and can have the answers to questions I cannot answer about the nature around them.” 

The children got started by decorating a piece of card with the aim of turning it into a pair of binoculars. Each child had their own unique drawing, with some choosing to draw scenes of weather, and others choosing to draw insects. They continued by rolling up the card and gluing them together to form two tubes to look out of. One child asked if it would be a good idea to hang them with string and this was well received by the other children who were thrilled to be playing like true explorers! 

Once the children had finished making their binoculars, they made their way through the reserve down to the pond. The children stopped along the way to explore the plants and vegetation en route, eagerly asking questions and exclaiming about the butterflies that were settling around. Once they had reached the pond the children were given a tray, net and identification sheet. After watching a demonstration of how to fill the tray with water and safely use the net to collect specimens, everyone  began pond dipping.  

“It helps with his needs to help him get used to different environments and explore the different surroundings, it helps him come out of his shell.” 

The children had great successes at finding a variety of aquatic insects and plants in the pond, eagerly discussing what they found. An arrival of a moorhen with chicks was a great delight as all the children gathered around the fencing of the pond to look on at the birds, watching them swim throughout their habitat.  

“Children with autism want something to be real and this is a hands-on experience” 

As the morning went on, more children arrived with their families and were keen to get involved in the pond dipping. There were a variety of ages and children paired off with new friends they had made throughout the session. Some of the children preferred to explore the pond by themselves and contributed when they felt the need to, but each were comfortable in connecting with the environment in their own way.  

“It’s been so lovely to see the children group together without inhibitions and getting excited about what they find in the net.” 

The children started to head off with their guardians after their success at the pond and each seemed fulfilled with their morning.  

“These sessions make (child’s name) feel safe and it’s great for his autism knowing he doesn’t have to mask and feel pressured to perform - these events are brilliant for him and his needs. We come to a lot of sessions and have them all in the calendar.” 

If you are a parent or guardian who would like to attend our SENsory Explorers sessions with your children, our events are hosted regularly at our Camley Street Natural Park reserve. 

You can expect a quiet morning session to explore the reserve and the wildlife. Activities include using nets to look at what can be found in the pond, looking under logs to see what minibeasts we can find and additional sensory activities. These sessions are primarily for families where a member is autistic or has any other additional needs, but all families are welcome. 

Sessions are aimed at children of all ages and parents/carers together.  

Our staff leading the sessions are DBS checked and first aid trained, and all of our activities have been risk assessed.  

We hope to see you soon at one of our sessions and look forward to welcoming you to SENsory Explorers! 

Join a SENsory Explorers session