A landscape master plan for the Newcraigs Hospital campus, Inverness.
We spend a lot of time in nature. We love hiking, exploring, playing in the water, picnics and more. But there are times when we look for our nature connection closer to home, right in our own backyard. It could be gardening, tending to the chickens, picking wild raspberries, climbing a tree, reading stories in the hammock. As a family we are inspired by Mother Nature and do our best to spend as much time enjoying her as we can. In the spring of 2011, Justin and I sat down to start planning a natural outdoor play space for Reece. We wanted a space which would create a spark for imaginative play, something which would grow with him and something his little friends would enjoy as well. We wanted it to be a place where Reece could play and enjoy nature, all right in our backyard. The more my husband and I talked about it, the more excited we got (are we suppose to be this excited over a play space...). Last year we settled on and completed the following in Reece’s play space: · A tepee · A sandbox · A balance beam · A set of swings · A garden · A rock area It was perfect. Reece and his little friends had a great time last summer playing, creating and having fun. This year, we decided to add a few more elements to his play space. We created a little secret garden, which Reece loves, and a banging wall. The banging wall has been great fun for all us! I also caught Justin and Reece up to something one afternoon and took a peek out back. They had carved out another little secret garden for Reece. So here’s a peek at Reece’s play space: The tepee The sandbox and banging wall Reece having some fun on the banging wall On the balance beam "Look mom, I am jumping off the rocks!" Flying high on the swing The new secret garden Reece's little garden edged in all the rocks he has collected on our travels. As our goal with most of our projects, we created this space using as much reclaimed materials as possible. The tepee is made from tree trunks hydro had been plowing down in the forest around our house last spring. The sandbox is made from square logs we picked up from an old barn. The balance bean is also made from the same square logs. The set of swings is made from hydro poles which were removed last spring when hydro was doing some work on our road. The rock area includes rocks we have gathered from the many forests around our home. The banging wall is made up of trees from the forest floor and the pots and pans were gathered from my in-laws and a flea market trip. The only materials we purchased were the canvas for the tepee, Reece’s infant swing, the rope for the swings, a few pots and pans and the plants for the garden. The sand for the sandbox was kindly donated by the gravel company which owns the land surrounding our property. A view of the entire play space Reece loves this space and so do we. I am sure over the next few years it will change, grow and evolve as Reece gets older. It will be interesting to see those changes and also to watch as his play changes. And tucked away, just under the trees is a special place where Reece and I come together each afternoon to share a story or two and just be. ***We added to new areas to our play space during the summer of 2014. A play structure and a mud kitchen. Be sure to check them out!*** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Linking up with Naturally Crafted Mama for {into nature} Linking up with Coombe Mill for Country Kids
The emergency exit to outdoor learning...
Woven willow playhouses—also known as twig playhouses, twigwams, and wicker playhousesa—are ideal indoors and out. They're the ultimate natural play space.
HMFH Architects, Inc. completed the Coolidge Corner School in Brookline, Massachusetts with thought given to the space it holds in the community. Located between a […]
It is just starting to get into the really good season for Palm Springs so I am ecstatic to take full advantage of all the outdoor space at the A-frame and I am equally thrilled to be able to share the full exterior tour today! We worked on the landscaping of the a-frame bit by […]
Woven willow playhouses—also known as twig playhouses, twigwams, and wicker playhousesa—are ideal indoors and out. They're the ultimate natural play space.
From a 1950s-style diner to a double-decker library bus, we look at some quirky and unusual school evironments to help inspire your entry to the School We'd Like competition
Baloo is 5 years 3 months We have been having so much fun outdoors this week that we haven’t had much time for indoor school work – not that I’m complaining! Baloo has been riding this scooter a lot more lately and I am amazed at how confident he is getting with it! He learned
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Masters students from the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning worked with the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation to...
This post has moved to a new location http://creativestarlearning.co.uk/art-music-outdoors/outdoor-music-wall/
I drove to Wrexham, Wales on the morning of July 14 to meet Suzanna Law and her friend Andy. The plan was for us to visit three adventure playgrounds: The Land, The Venture, and The Valley. It tu…
När mina barn såg de här 10 lekstugorna fick de genast varsin favorit. En ville ha Grand Mansion, den andre ville ha lekstugan av flätad pil. Vilken är din ...
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Nick and I love to entertain, especially in the summer. We’re pretty casual about it though… no twinkle lights and fancy mixed drinks with beautiful tablescapes. Just us and some wide open space and good conversation. Playing corn hole, ladder golf, or throwing a frisbee are always good outdoor entertainment…
I've written before about building rope bridges among the trees and how fantastic they are for children's motor development, encouraging s...
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Immerse yourself in 74 acres of peaceful views at Earthplace, an outdoor nature center in Connecticut.
Every year when my family travels to Vermont, we eat at one of my favorite places ever: American Flatbread in Waitsfield. There are many things I love about American Flatbread, but this post will just focus on one little thing that has inspired me. The flatbread place is actually at a farm, and outside the restaurant are campfires. One campfire has a circular wall around it where people can sit while they are waiting for a table. Just beyond that wall is this: A simple podium, with a weather-proofed copy of Dr. Suess' The Lorax. Now, in Vermont, environmentalism reigns supreme, so the choice of including this book here, on this farm, is completely understandable. But it's also another inspiration for me: A garden that includes reading. I am currently working on planning a Beautification Day project for Big Girl's school. I'm in a time crunch, and trying to not to spend money on the project, so I have an idea of what I can accomplish in my head. It's not grand, or large, but an improvement. And that said -- a girl can still dream... And my long term dream for the school is to have what is called a "Reading Garden." A reading garden is really a place where a teacher can take a class outside, with places for students to sit, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warm sunshine and fresh air, to read or learn a lesson. I've been busy pinning ideas of other schools' reading gardens. Here is one of my favorites: Source: greenribbonschools.org via Kellie on Pinterest I love the benches, the pergola, the patio (no mowing and trimming!) and the flowers around it. This one is located outside a school's library, which is perfect location. Here is a simple idea of a reading garden on another school property: Source: ecsd.k12.ca.us via Kellie on Pinterest This one may not have the pretty red benches, but it's got room for a whole class to sit for a lesson or a meeting. Here's one with stone seats: Source: google.com via Kellie on Pinterest The current beautification plans at Big Girl's school are to clean up an existing, but neglected garden and expand it it, as well as pick up some litter. I'm thinking the oldest grade at the school will do some kind of "leave behind" project, like stepping stones; the younger ones will help with planting seeds and perennials which will bloom in the fall. I'm basically working with no budget, so I need to get everything going with donations. Hopefully this will turn into an annual project, and we can landscape other areas and eventually get a reading garden established. Do you have a reading garden at your child's school, or local library?
With all my heart, I LOVE THIS PORCH. It’s been life changing to have an outdoor space. Our kiddos love it, we love it, even our dogs love it! It’s far and away the space we love most in our new home!!! Today, I want to share a little tour with you now that we…
