Experimenting, exploring, creating and communicating through the activity is more important than expecting the children to achieve an end goal - for example, being able to correctly identify a scent.
Cinnamon shapes
* Give the children sheets of sandpaper, using sheets of various roughness.
* Invite them to make marks on the sandpaper using cinnamon sticks, and encourage them to smell their creations.
* Cut the scented sandpaper into shapes and punch a hole in them to make necklaces or Christmas tree decorations.
* As an alternative, you could use other aromatic materials to 'draw' on sandpaper - for example, scented soaps or scented candles.
Smelly socks
* Collect and wash odd socks. Then stuff them with padding or cotton wool.
* Add various aromas to the padding - flavoured teas, peppermint essence, lemon essence, ground coffee, cinnamon, mild curry powder, flavoured pudding mix, dried fruits, herbs, spices and so on.
* Grate or chop fruit flavoured soaps or candles to place inside some of the socks.
* Tie the socks securely and attach ribbons to make them more attractive.
* Attach the socks to a mobile or hang them around the room for the children to explore the different smells.
Fragrant flowers
* Attach cotton wool balls to small baking cases using Velcro.
* Add a different fragrance to each of the cotton wool balls - perfume, aftershave, air freshener, strawberry essence, lemon essence, fruit juice, flavoured washing up liquid and so on.
* Attach paper or plastic flower shapes to a straw or piece of garden wire and secure the baking cases to the flowers.
* Place the flowers in a ball of playdough to display them at the children's level, so that the children can go and smell them at their leisure.
* Older children will enjoy making up names for the flowers.
A mountain of smells
* Make small cushions by sewing up remnants of material with different textures and stuffing them.
* Add various subtle aromas to the stuffing - for example, lavender, cinnamon, peppermint essence and so on.
* Invite the children to crawl over the cushions or play 'peek-a-boo' with the cushions.
* You could also ask the children to indicate which cushions they like the smell of and which they do not.
Soap bags
* Gather a few net bags - use those sold with washing powder, or make a few with netting and ribbon to pull the top together.
* Choose a few soap bars, with different scents. You can place these in the bags whole or cut them with a sharp knife to create a stronger aroma.
* Use a mug rack or some hooks attached to a wall to hang the bags from.
* Invite toddlers to gather around the bags and explore them, releasing the scents as they handle them.
* You could also allow them to massage liquid soap into their hands, or create a picture with a lovely smell!
Note of caution: Take care that children do not put soap in their mouths and watch for any allergic reaction.
Scented tissues
* You can buy scented tissues in most chemists, but if you wish you can use ordinary tissues and wrap them round some citrus peel or herbs. Or you could spray them with a mild perfume or deodorant. Leave the tissues overnight and then carefully remove all the scented material and place them back into the boxes or scatter them around the outside.
* If the tissue boxes are not very attractive you can decorate them with sticky-back plastic or wrapping paper.
* Sit with your baby and encourage him or her to smell the tissues by sniffing them yourself. Take a handful and throw them in the air, allowing them to cascade down over your head and face. Lie down and throw them up again.
* Let the baby watch you raise one tissue and drop it just in front of him or her. If you feel she would enjoy it, then drop a few over her head and allow the scents to envelop her.
Note of caution: Do not let the baby put the tissues in her mouth, as the scents will be strong.
Atmosphere of aromas
* Use candles, oil burners, incense, fresh flowers or other alternatives to create a fresh and positive aroma in the rooms where young children arrive, play and are cared for.
* Try to create a scent of the week or day, introducing the children to a wide range of scents they may not normally come across.
