Play Outside
Getting out in the fresh air is a great way for children to
play. It gives children a chance to be close to nature and experience a whole
different world first hand. Children love to get messy in the garden and I am
yet to see a child who has mud on their face and leaves in their hair, with an
unhappy face! As well as being ‘at one’ with nature, being outside can teach
children a lot about the world they live in.
Growing vegetables and planting flowers in the garden with
children can teach them about where food comes from. Allowing a child to watch
something grow until the point where it can be eaten is a valuable way for them
to learn about where food comes from. As well as helping them appreciate the
healthier things in life it is also good to help them notice the value in these
things. Wasting food can be a problem for some parents, trying to make your
children finish a whole plate of food for some can be a daily struggle.
Allowing them to appreciate the effort that goes into food, will hopefully
teach them a whole new way of looking at the food they eat. It will also help
them realise that not everything comes out of a packet!
Another good reason to encourage outdoor play is the obvious
health benefits. Even if it is not the height of summer – a child adorned with
hat and coat will happily play outside for hours. The rosy cheeks and smiling
faces will be fulfilling enough without even thinking about the added bonus of
the exercise running around outside will give them.
Imagination Play in
the Garden
Imagination play has a strong place in the garden. Just
think of all the different scenarios that can be created on a climbing frame
for example. Do you remember playing on the park as a child? If you do, you
will surely remember that a plain wooden climbing frame could be a whole
variety of things. Imagine playing pirates and making your playmates
‘walk-the-plank’ or laying siege to a castle in the middle-ages. Climbing
frames are becoming a lot more affordable for the modern family and a good
sized wooden climbing frame could be part of your garden for a reasonable
price. All the Action climbing frames at www.climbingframes.com
come with a 10 year warranty on the wood so could be a great investment if
getting to the park can be quite difficult.
A home climbing frame can give your child the freedom and
opportunity to let their imagination run wild. Many of them can incorporate a
whole host of different play aspects. For example, if you have children who
love the adventurous imagination play, then climbing nets, rope ladders and
rock climbing walls will suit them down to the ground. If you wanted to add a
sporting element then a basketball net or swing could be really fun for many
children. Draw bridges, tunnels and accessories like telescopes and steering
wheels will transform any wooden climbing frame into a ship, a submarine or
anything else your child could possibly imagine.
Gardens can be brought to life with just a few bits of play
equipment. There is no need to litter your garden in plastic toys that may just
break after a short time. If a construction like a tree house or climbing frame
is too large for your garden something smaller such as a playhouse or play tent
could give your children that perfect little den in which they can let their
imagination run wild.
This is a sponsored post. Thanks to Garden Games for their contribution to a new exciting project I am undertaking, please check back soon for more information!
This is a sponsored post. Thanks to Garden Games for their contribution to a new exciting project I am undertaking, please check back soon for more information!
