Our goal was to transform a traditional plastic and metal playground into a natural playscape. We added green space, gardens, platforms and block building space, a gathering storytime area, and a mud kitchen. The staff reports that there is more child-initiated play, more cooperative play, more sustained dramatic play, and problem solving among the children. The children demonstrate a more focussed interest in the natural materials. The natural playspace supports science, literacy, engineering and math learning.
Explore the before and after photographs below.
North corner:
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER – Dramatic Play
Northeast corner:
BEFORE
AFTER – Gathering Place
East corner:
BEFORE
AFTER – Mud Kitchen
West corner:
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
South corner:
BEFORE
AFTER – Platform
AFTER – Block Area
Southwest corner:
BEFORE
AFTER
More Garden Space:
Straw Bale Garden
Straw Bale Crop
Straw Bale Yield