Thinking OUTSIDE of the box Thursdays: What materials do children use outdoors?
I'm curious about the type of materials that you are all using during outdoor play...
Do you explore any natural loose parts? What kind of playground equipment sparks the children's interest? What tools or equipment do the children use for play?
I think that large wooden blocks are a great activity outdoors because the children have more space to move and build. Playing with locust pods is also a common activity in our outdoor play space.
I look forward to hearing your ideas!
I have seen the children become really creative with loose parts outdoors. Some of the materials include using pieces of wood, milk crates and tires. the children use them to make obstacle courses, for imaginative play, to create club houses and for risky play to jump off of high structures and to raise them up so they can see over the tall fence. The children often practice balancing and using various gross motor skills to move the pieces and climb or walk on the structures they create. They also have many stories to share as the create things for their imaginative play. Sometimes they make cars or air planes even houses with rooms. I enjoy hearing their stories.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious of hearing and seeing stories/pictures of children using loose parts, crates, and natural materials like logs and such. Our children use cars and push items, the kitchen, a mini trampoline, and the sandbox (in Spring/Summer) mostly. I'm coming to see how this might not be enough to truly inspire them to explore and learn outside.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great area to reflect on! I wonder if there are some easily accessible resources you could try to add to your space. One time we asked families to donate old broken electronics for an ongoing indoor exploration. Perhaps it would be possible to look to the community or families for some loose parts that people have around the house.
DeleteI will put feelers out to our parents/community to see what might be brought in! We did acquire some tires, but due to theft, have them chained against the fence. The children still use them (to store toys, sit in, walk along, jump on, etc.).
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