How can wooden pallets be added to your setting to create a stimulating environment?
Wooden pallets are a cheap and easy resource to pick up. They can usually be sourced from builders yards or a recycling centre. There are many uses for old wooden pallets, helping to create a stimulating learning environment using natural materials. Pallets can offer the children an open ended resource that requires imagination and exploration. It is a good idea to sand down any pallets you use to protect children from injury.
Here are 10 ways to recycle and reuse wooden pallets
Ramps
Wooden pallets are a great for creating ramps for the children to explore. Simply connect 3 or 4 pallets side by side and sand down either end to create a gradual ramp. The children will love riding bikes up and down the ramps, experimenting with a different levels.
Mud kitchens
Wooden pallets are useful in creating a mud kitchen. They provide the structure of a worktop and create space for children to experiment with different materials and resources. Add some hooks to a wooden pallet to store pots, pans and utensils.
Seating areas
Seating areas in the outside environment can sometimes be limited to chairs or benches, however pallets create a lovely seating area big enough for more than one child. Pallets can be stacked up to create high seating areas for the children to enjoy and be able to observe the whole garden.
Bug hotels
Bug hotels are becoming very popular in outdoor environments. They can be easily made using wooden pallets filled with foliage, sticks and leaves. The children will be able to observe lots of mini beasts that use the bug hotel as their habitat by looking through the slats and hole in the pallets.
Book boxes
Wooden pallets provide fun and easily accessible book storage inside and out. Pallets can be cut down and attached to a wall to create a book shelf or used on the floor, storing the books upright in the slots. Spray paints can be used to brighten up the wooden pallets.
Teepee
Wooden slats from the pallets can be used to create a teepee for the children to access. Simply separate the slats and attach securely to create a teepee structure. The children can help to decorate the teepee using spray paints, ribbons or fabric bunting.
Wood work bench
The use of real tools is increasing in the early years, with more settings allowing children to experience using tools such as hammers and nails. Wooden pallets can create a great wood work bench, giving children a safe space to practise using tools such hammering nails into a block of wood. Again, hooks can be attached to the pallets to store tools.
Water station
Wooden pallets are a great way to create a water station if you have limited wall space in your outdoor environment. Simply attach tubes and empty bottles to a pallet, enabling the children to pour water and watch it move through the pipes and bottles. By attaching the water station to a wooden pallet, it can be easily moved to different areas of garden.
Vegetable patch
Wooden pallets create a great area for the children to grow vegetables. Simply close the edges and bottom of the pallets with some extra wooden slats and fill with compost. The children can then plant seeds or vegetables inbetween the slats and have easy access to look after them as the grow. It is a good idea to drill some holes into the bottom or sides of pallets to enable excess water to escape.
Pallet house
The children will love experiencing a small house made of pallets. Standing pallets on their side and stacking them up to above the height of the children will give them a great hiding place. Two pallets on the top can provide a roof, giving the children an enclosed space to explore and observe from. It is important to ensure the pallets are secured together properly to avoid injury.