Growing up rurally, I was well accustomed to entertaining myself with some sticks, the creek bed and anything I could steal from the kitchen without my mum noticing. To me, anything outside provided opportunity for creativity. Nothing was structured and there was no printed ‘how to play’. Everything was left up to my own imagination.
Now as an adult, living in the city, I still crave the chance to walk barefoot through a paddock, climb a few fence posts and splash my feet in water. I love playing in nature! Being able to slow down, make my own rules and experience my natural surroundings always leaving me feeling perfectly content.
If nature can spark this happiness within an adult, imagine how it can improve the overall health and happiness of a child. It’s been shown that the benefits to playing in nature are similar to that of good nutrition and sleep:
Simple sand and water features are the original free-form toy, encouraging creativity through lack of structure. A sandcastle with moat and river can later become a delicious mud-pie. The simple act of playing with sand or water can have therapeutic qualities, helping to reduce anxiety and alleviate stress. De-stressed kids are more open to new ideas and change.
Veggie gardens not only teach about gardening, healthy eating and science (remember learning about photosynthesis?), they also provide great sensory development opportunities. The bright red skin of a strawberry, the bumpy shape of a bean and the beautiful smell of a fresh tomato all have the possibility to excite a child’s senses.
Plants and animals are nature’s free contribution to your playground, giving kids a chance to play scientist. Not only does discovery in nature create endless fun, it also promotes the value of protecting nature through simple acts like putting rubbish in the bin.
A massive tree standing right where you dreamt a playground would go? Don’t cut it down – incorporate it instead. Trees can be included in the playground structure to craft a tree-house outdoor adventure. They’ll provide natural shade during play and encourage wildlife to come and play too.
Irregular paces, such as hollowed out trees, piles of logs and other natural ‘nooks and crannies’ are also existing elements to embrace. Climbing teaches negotiation of risk and builds confidence in children.
So if you’re wondering who can help create your naturally beautiful and exceptionally creative unique playgrounds, look no further! Bespoke Playgrounds have natural elements at their core, with our bespoke designs all incorporating a main structure of natural timber.
Contact Scott and the team today to discuss your natural, outdoor escape playground! Click here to view more of our projects.
Now as an adult, living in the city, I still crave the chance to walk barefoot through a paddock, climb a few fence posts and splash my feet in water. I love playing in nature! Being able to slow down, make my own rules and experience my natural surroundings always leaving me feeling perfectly content.
If nature can spark this happiness within an adult, imagine how it can improve the overall health and happiness of a child. It’s been shown that the benefits to playing in nature are similar to that of good nutrition and sleep:
- Improves cognitive function and interaction with adults
- Stress relieving
- Boosts immune systems
Simple sand and water features are the original free-form toy, encouraging creativity through lack of structure. A sandcastle with moat and river can later become a delicious mud-pie. The simple act of playing with sand or water can have therapeutic qualities, helping to reduce anxiety and alleviate stress. De-stressed kids are more open to new ideas and change.
Veggie gardens not only teach about gardening, healthy eating and science (remember learning about photosynthesis?), they also provide great sensory development opportunities. The bright red skin of a strawberry, the bumpy shape of a bean and the beautiful smell of a fresh tomato all have the possibility to excite a child’s senses.
Plants and animals are nature’s free contribution to your playground, giving kids a chance to play scientist. Not only does discovery in nature create endless fun, it also promotes the value of protecting nature through simple acts like putting rubbish in the bin.
A massive tree standing right where you dreamt a playground would go? Don’t cut it down – incorporate it instead. Trees can be included in the playground structure to craft a tree-house outdoor adventure. They’ll provide natural shade during play and encourage wildlife to come and play too.
Irregular paces, such as hollowed out trees, piles of logs and other natural ‘nooks and crannies’ are also existing elements to embrace. Climbing teaches negotiation of risk and builds confidence in children.
So if you’re wondering who can help create your naturally beautiful and exceptionally creative unique playgrounds, look no further! Bespoke Playgrounds have natural elements at their core, with our bespoke designs all incorporating a main structure of natural timber.
Contact Scott and the team today to discuss your natural, outdoor escape playground! Click here to view more of our projects.
