Outdoor Learning and Play

Get stuck into experiential play with these sand and water play ideas. Set up a water wall and sand area for children to explore and experiment. Below we share our best sand and water play ideas to inspire you: Water Play Ideas A water wall is perfect for experimenting with the forces and flow of water. Children love playing with...

Small world play can be a creative, inspiring way to support the learning and development of young children through play.  Through this type of play, rich opportunities can evolve which impact on development across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).  This makes small world play a valuable part of provision, not to mention a versatile way to build on children's...

Our best outdoor storage shed solutions all in one place! Some great solutions to keep your resources nice and tidy and to access them easily. Children love to have the independence to self-select their own resources and to tidy them all away. We have designed sheds which can be used as storage and at the same time can be used...

Enjoying an interest in minibeasts and learning through play, whether in a setting or at home, is a great way to embrace hands-on, practical learning in a playful way. What’s great is that to hunt for minibeasts, we need to be outside so not only are we enjoying this focus but getting fresh air at the same time. This means...

Constructing a den can be a magical learning experience as well as being a lot of fun.  It's one of those activities where the process is just as much fun as the end product!  Our role as educators is to facilitate the play by providing suitable resources and spaces for den building.  Children also need responsive, tuned in adults to...

In these COVID times, the power of outdoor play is becoming even more widely recognised.  Settings are spending more and more time outdoors, with some becoming fully outdoors based.  Not only does being outdoors reduce the risk of COVID transmitting, but it’s also an empowering space to play in it’s own right.  However, outdoor play is not merely a matter...

The mini deep tuff spot tray was designed because you told us that you wanted a smaller, deeper tray. This tray fits through doors easily so can be moved indoors and outdoors without much trouble. It is also deeper to hold more water or sand. The circular tray is ideal for all the usual tray play from messy tray play...

Is play time limited? The COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for children’s learning, play and wellbeing has led us to think about childhood and whether play is time limited. At what age do children stop playing? Or do we always play? Perhaps because we understand the benefits of play, we do all we can to facilitate it at home, in settings...

Creating a loose parts play library can be simple and fun with a few hints and tips. Loose parts for play are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, constructed and deconstructed in multiple ways. They are materials with no specific direction. Big or small, natural or man made. The recognition of the power loose parts hold in...

From mixing and pouring, to measuring and baking, inspire children to get creative with a mud kitchen. Mud Kitchens are expensive, but with a bit of imagination you can create your own using old wooden pallets, plastic milk crates or wooden fruit crates with a wooden plank for a top or an old wooden table. Children will love creating, mixing...