Creating an engaging outdoor space can be uniquely challenging given the abundance of resources you have available to you on average. Every caregiver creates an outdoor space with a single goal— to provide engaging long-lasting play for the children that'll have them eager to come back.

This list of essentials was chosen with that single goal in mind

Essentials for active play

The outdoor play hinges around fun physical activities and toys that encourage the young ones to move their bodies and have fun. This shortlist of toys and resources encourage that:

• * Pogo sticks

• * Hopscotch mat

• * Skipping ropes

• * Hula hoops and trampolines

• * Plastic racquets

• * Frisbee

Essentials for messy, natural play

It's no secret that children love messy, natural play. Their curious mind can't help but grab onto and play with sand, mud, pine cone, pebbles, etc.

You can create a safe natural play section in your outdoor space by including:

• * Bubbles

• * Leaf piles

• * Seashells

• * A bucket of mud,

• * Pinecones

• * Seed pods

Essentials for Creative play

If you have young ones who are enamored by music or art, you can create a safe space for them by providing outdoor creative resources they can express themselves with like:

• * Chalkboards

• * Xylophones

• * Gongs

• * Some paint and easel

Essentials for a green and natural play

Plants and trees are essential for an open play space because they not only teach children to safeguard and respect nature. They can also be genuinely fascinating for their young minds. Exotic plants with strange leaves and unusual forms can spark their imagination and help them pick up a passion for caring for plants.

We recommend setting up with a few unusual but exciting plants and tons of watering cans.

Essentials for a quiet clubhouse or secret spot

Show me a kid that doesn't love clubhouses and secret fun spots. Factoring in a clubhouse or a secret play location into your outdoor play environment dramatically bumps up the appeal for the young ones. They'll be excited more than ever to play, and it can give them a nice break away from the other kids.

Here are a couple of ideas for what you should include in your secret play spot:

• * A cubbyhouse

• * Fort Large box

• * Some hammocks,

• * A small swing

• * An umbrella for shade

Organized outdoor play vs. Free play

The last outdoor essential is time. While the children must be left alone to play as they wish, it's also vital to give some structure to their play and enforce some loose structure. Encourage them to play with the active essentials or dedicate a few minutes to nurturing plants. And at times, let them play how they want.

Conclusion

At daycare Hurstville, we put all essentials to use to promote a safe, rewarding, and interactive environment for kids to play and thrive in.