dcsimg

Awesome natural play space ideas for children

By: Matt Grocoff , Contributing Writer
In: Garden And Lawncare

Play homes made of sticks

A child's imagination is greater than anything that can be sold on the shelf of a toy store. But over the past two decades, the amount of time that children spend playing outdoors using that great imagination has dropped dramatically.

Here are some fun things you can create in your backyard that will encourage children to step away from the video games and get creative with nature.

1. Boulders

Instead of your standard plastic play structure, create an area with several large boulders (available from landscaping stores) spaced a few feet apart. Kids will spend hours hopping and climbing from one boulder to the next, which also means they'll be using their boundless imagination to create a fantasy world around the rocks.

2 Large logs

Logs can also be used as stepping games or as seating around a pretend campfire. Let kids roll the logs and set them around the yard. You'll be amazed at the wild ideas they'll come up with.

3. Dirt pits or mounds

Yes, really! Let your kids play in the dirt. Build an area surrounded by logs or rocks that is filled with dirt. Or build a dirt mound that kids can climb. Another bonus is that dirt has beneficial bacteria that makes kids and adults alike happier and healthier.

4. Log tables

Play table

Cut a dead tree lengthwise to create a fanciful yard table for kids to do all their nature crafts. They can cook their own pretend meals from objects they find in the yard. A rock becomes an egg, a piece of bark becomes bread, and a stick is a fork or knife. The table can even be used when it comes time for a real world lunch. It's always fun to eat outdoors.

5. Tree caves

Build your kids a cave made from tree branches or even carve one into existing bushes. Kids love finding enclosed spaces where they can feel safe and secluded.

To learn more about getting your kids outdoors, check out the Children and Nature blog http://blog.childrenandnature.org/

Play box

All photo credits via LetTheChildrenPlay.net and http://aspetucklandtrust.blogspot.com/

Share/Save/Bookmark