Planting flowers and vegetables is a great sensory play experience for your child! It encourages your child to work through the dirt by using their hands (or even their feet!), both wet and dry, to experience a variety of textures through a functional play activity. This can help these kids who are seeking out sensory play activities, as well as those who are more hesitant to get messy. By having your child participate in an activity that has an outcome they can see, this often motivates them to continue to participate in the task!
They can also work on problem solving and following multiple step directions of how to dig up the dirt, put it in the pot, add the seeds, cover up the seeds, and then water what they have planted. Have your child push or pull the planting items in a wagon or wheelbarrow to incorporate a "heavy work" activity into the task as well. This is great to keep your child's engine running "just right". After they are done with the planting, they can use a hose to clean off their hands and/or feet for an even greater sensory play experience! Have them water their plant daily and monitor the growth of their plant!