The Smelling Garden

In a garden of hoops, each hoop holds a jar with a scent (lemon, cinnamon, lavender, orange, mint, cocoa), and children go from one to another smelling slowly through the nose, then look for the picture that matches each scent. It works on slow breathing in through the nose and paying attention to sensations.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shows how to smell a flower: bring the jar close, close your eyes, breathe in slowly through the nose, and out through the mouth (2 min).
2. In small groups, they walk like butterflies from hoop to hoop and calmly smell each jar (3 min).
3. They go around again and, after smelling, say what it reminds them of: "Grandma's kitchen," "school" (2 min).
4. The teacher puts the picture cards in the middle; each group smells a jar and flies to find the picture they think it is (3 min).
5. Sitting down, everyone smells their favorite scent one last time and breathes slowly with eyes closed (2 min).

Rules

• I smell slowly with my nose without sticking it in the jar.
• Jars stay closed and we don't touch inside.
• I wait for my friend to finish smelling.
• If I don't like a smell, I say so and move on.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: jars come to the child's table on a tray, and they choose the picture by pointing.
• Visual impairment: a great fit; the cards can be real objects (a lemon, a cinnamon stick).
• Autism or smell sensitivity: very mild scents, they can always say no to one, and they can smell from farther away.

Learning goals

• Practice breathing in slowly and deeply through the nose.
• Recognize everyday smells.
• Link a sensation with a memory or a picture.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Scent jars: 6
• Picture cards: 6
• Hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Ask about allergies first. The easiest setup is opaque jars with a lid poked with holes and a soaked cotton ball or the spice inside, sealed tight. Fewer, very different scents work best.

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