A peek inside a readers play space…
Our little one just turns 2. We have always wanted to give her more space to play freely that involves her five senses. It is hard to do indoor with little space. We live in a 900 square fit cottage. There is not enough space for an indoor play kitchen or permanent space for a hide out.
We started making an outdoor play area for her last year at the side of our cottage after some research online. We first built a sand area with some eucalyptus wood stumps that her grandpa collected for her 1st birthday. We decorated the sand area with thrifted objects and low watering plants and some edible herbs. This year we extend that space to include a hide-out, water and sound elements. We finally completed the play yard just in time for Summer and for her 2nd birthday. The play yard now consists of a bamboo teepee (Eiya calls it her casita) and an outdoor kitchen.
Our little one has been enjoying her “Casita and Cocinita” (little House and kitchen in Spanish). She has been cooking, making tea with chamomile from out garden and singing birthday songs for the little frog planter in her space. It is very satisfying to watch her interact with her space. Seeing her imagination unfolds and transferring what she experienced in real life into pretend play.
Thank you so much to Sheau for sharing Eiya’s wonderful outdoor play space with us.
July is ‘House or Home’ month at Childhood 101. Do you have a family or kids play space in your home that you love (indoors or outdoors)? Submit your play space here and you too could be featured on Childhood 101.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
So sweet, I love it!
What a creative environment! I am always inspired by what others come up with. This made me reflect on our outdoor play space. I haven’t thought to evaluate it based on the five senses. I think we need to add some things. Thank you for the post.
Considering the impact of all five sense on the space is so simple but such a valuable approach.
That’s an incredible play space. It’s no wonder that someone so little is creating so many wonderful things. What a great idea to put the edible herbs near the sandpit. I wouldn’t have thought to do that. I recently picked up some gum tree logs off the side of the road (asked the owner) and they were for kindy. It was a little sad to handing them over. We enjoyed using them while they were here.
This is beautiful in so many ways. 1. It’s cultural. 2. It’s natural. 3. It offers so many ways for open, creative-play. Wonderful!
Thank you so much for featuring our little space. Thank you for all the wonderful comments. We recently extended the kitchen, some wooden crates for more shelving and storage for Eiya’s expended cooking adventures.
What a sweet little space and great to see that you’ve incorporated the five senses. I love the frog planter – it is very cute!