PLANT CLUB: Plants for Play!

Definitions: Nature Play and Natural Play Areas:

Natural Play Areas are a defined space that encourages children to explore nature in a safe setting. Play elements should be made from natural materials such as wood, stone, or metal instead of plastic. Areas are best when they include places where children can choose what they want to do. Build a fort or play with building blocks, make mud pies, read a book or listen to story time under a tree, climb on a log, roll down a hill, pick a flower, watch a butterfly, the possibilities are great. It is easier to say what they are not. They are not sports fields and they are not monolithic play structures.

Nature Play and Unstructured Play are often the same. Both allow children to make choices, create their own stories and games, encourage them to take risks, and offer them opportunities to move from high and low-intensity activity play.

Description

Plants for Play: Selecting and caring for plants that enrich play

Kids need to play in nature. We can’t travel to big parks every day - Learn how to use natural elements in your own backyard to create a space to explore. Learn how plants can enhance the developmental value of play. What characteristics encourage interaction, close observation, running, jumping, and crawling, engage the senses, and support make-believe? In addition, learn about practical considerations for selecting the right plant for your site such as water use, soil and shade requirements, and maintenance needs.

Learning objectives

1. Identify characteristics that make a plant more engaging for play

2. Learn to match plants to your site

3. Identify resources to help with 1 and 2.