Outdoor Muddy Play Essentials - PART TWO
When I thought about all the most fun equipment we have used at NaturePlay sessions, I could not stop at 3! So here is the second round of 3 pieces of equipment that can be cheap, useful, fun and can be played with over and over and over again. No plastic “stuff” breaking on Christmas day and ending up in landfill for me.
A Basket
In my experience, it is easy to find a decent, child-sized basket at op-shops. Fill it with plants, gumnuts, water (that’s a good Science lesson!), sticks, leaves, feathers, toys…just about anything.
It can be useful if you are growing tomatoes or herbs or cucumbers. Take the basket out for harvest time and see whether your child is interested in filling or carrying the basket.
Pieces of Wood
Slices of wood can be hard to find, unless you know someone who has recently had a tree removed. A bag of firewood could contain some logs that may also be useful.
These can make a great obstacle course, can provide heavy work for those children who like to roll, carry or move heavy things. They can be used for jumping and balancing.
For those who like patterns or feel like working on some fine motor skill, the slices can be used for “posting” feathers and leaves into tiny holes.
They can also be a great platform for a tea party, a mosaic pattern or for painting.
A teapot
I’m thrilled to know how special this little orange tea pot has been to children over the years! There’s also something about making a tea or a coffee for a parent/carer that children seems to find endlessly amusing! A cute metal teapot can be a bit trickier to find at an op-shop, but they do exist.
Fill it with water, get a few “cups” and have a tea party. This is great work for little hands and bodies. Lifting, pouring and filling are all captivating movements that are such fun and build muscle strength. This play also builds perseverance skills! This can cause frustration at times, but your child’s sense of achievement when they manage to do what they want to do, is worth all the hard work.
When I look back at the children I have worked with, the most fun has been had with such simple things. Good luck on your own adventures in finding “toys” that last a long time, captivate your child/ren in play and provide fun family memories (and cute photos).
