8 Steps to Creating an Effective Natural Outdoor Play Environment – Alternative Play and Education

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Studies have shown that many children in today´s society do not have the opportunity to experience and appreciate nature as children of past generations. There is a lot to be gained from playing in cool water on a hot summer day, feeling sand trickle between your fingers, playing hide-and-seek in tall grasses or simply watching birds peck at seeds in a feeder. If you relished in the pleasure of any or all of these, you probably want your children to share similar experiences. Whether you are considering updating your playground with a few natural elements, or if you´re renovating the entire existing space, here are a few steps worth remembering:

1. Develop a Vision: Consider input from parents and teachers in your center. Evaluate existing equipment and determine how this can be incorporated into your new ´nature´ plan. Determine what natural items are missing from your current playground that you would like to see in the new design. Getting excited about nature is important, so now is the time to dream!

2. Goals and Objectives: To make your vision happen, add specific goals and objectives. Ask yourself questions like, "What am I trying to accomplish? What age groups are going to utilize the space? How do I visualize the children on the playground? Should the area include an outdoor classroom? What aspects from nature are ´a must have´?" This is the time to solicit the support of an experienced playground design consultant who can help you mold your vision into a doable design.

3. Safety Guidelines: Children´s safety is a key to your dream becoming a reality. Be aware of local, state and federal regulations and guidelines. A local play-ground manufacturer´s representative can offer advice and determine how nature can be used both effectively and safely in your new environment. They could possibly provide Certified Playground Safety Inspection services.

4. Think Outside the Sandbox: When we think of a natural play space, we may not consider use of traditional commercial equipment. However, this is a very important part of the design. A climbing element offers gross motor skill opportunities, while lining tall bushes and trees around the equipment affords natural shade. Using a manufactured playhouse allows for dramatic play, while window flower boxes include the natural element. Having a vegetable garden on your playground offers children the ability to grow their own food and learn the importance of nutrition while having fun.

5. Consider All Aspects of the Child: A natural playground can provide many design alternatives to include the different needs of each child. While a climbing structure may be one goal for your facility, remember to include a variety of necessary play alternatives. For example, children may prefer to spend time in a music garden that you´ve created. Or they may choose to play with outdoor commercial quality loose play elements, such as blocks or rings on a grassy gathering space. A sandbox and water table allow children of all abilities to play together with natural materials. A few manufacturers offer ADA equipment specially designed and approved for special needs children.

6. Don´t Forget the Necessities: There are some ´extras´ that you may want to include. An art cabinet on wheels easily allows teachers to conduct an art lesson outdoors using leaves, acorns and other collected items. Benches and gazebos can provide a quiet reading space for youngsters and adults to share time together. A playground designer can help you place a storage bench for stowing away sand toys, or a ´parking garage´ for trikes.

7. Handling the Maintenance: Depending on the elements you choose to include in your natural play space, you will need to evaluate the level of maintenance. Equipment made from wood can be beautiful, but you will need to protect children from splinters. Trees offer shade, but leaves need to be collected. Artificial turf may solve a drainage concern while providing a natural element in the play space. A pathway offers sensory opportunities, but plantings need to be maintained. Again, consider blending manufactured equipment with natural materials and concepts. If ´green´ is important to your project, then speak to a manufacturer that uses recycled materials such Trex and polytone plastic in the building of their equipment.

8. Funding and Phases: There are many grants available that may help you with the creation of a natural play environment for your children. While the internet is a valuable research tool, there are grant researchers that can be hired for a nominal fee. Local businesses and foundations can be a strong funding resource – they can´t say ´no´ if you don´t ask! Donations, and reduced priced materials may be available from area landscapers and contractors, and this would allow you to spend available funds on equipment needs. Most important, consider completing your project in stages. Buildings often involve phases of construction, and designing a natural outdoor play environment is no different!

These eight steps will help you move from an idea to an ideal natural play area – one that is enticing to youngsters and appealing to adults.

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