Top 10 essentials for your outdoor space

With the emphasis and research on outdoor play growing in strength every day, practitioners are increasingly questioning how they can improve their outdoors area. There are 2 main approaches early years practitioners are taking, one is based around a loose parts approach filling the outdoors with natural materials similar to those you would find if you were to take part in a forest schools and the second involves making a classroom which you might find indoors, outdoors. It is down to each individual setting which approach they choose, however both approaches should contain some of these top 10 ideas. These ideas can be done whether you have a vast amount of space of the smallest of outdoors spaces, it may mean you have to be more creative about you make the most use of the space you have available.

What should be in an early years outdoors space?

1. Mud kitchen – Mud kitchens are very popular and come in all shapes and sizes. Some are made by talented practitioners using old crates and pallets others are brought and some simply contain a mud patch, bowls and spoons. However you choose to create yours, a mud kitchen is a must. It sparks imagination, mathematical skills, physical skills, communication and social skills as children talk through their ideas, sensory awareness and most importantly its great fun.
2. Sensory area – Great for younger children these can be small areas filled with windmills, wind chimes, herbs, sensory stepping stones, grass, ribbons etc. These can be small areas of the outdoors space and many are doing using trees, fences and old tyres as planters. These are lovely spaces for children to explore and discover.
3. Mini beasts hotel – These are brilliant for the wildlife in the local area and for the children’s investigative skills. Children love exploring the mini beasts hotel  to discover what is hiding and help children develop an understanding of the world around them.
4. Vegetable patch – A brilliant way to teach children about healthy eating, where their food comes from and life cycles. This also gives children a sense of responsibility and increases their self-esteem knowing they have helped to grow some vegetables. As the children have been involved in the growing process often they are very keen to try new foods which before they may have refused to do.
5. Den – Although you may not want this out at all times, it is useful to have the resources needed to create your own den. IT allows children to critically and creatively think as well as actively learn. It can offer a place for some quiet time if children are feeling overwhelmed or be a nice area to share stories.
6.  Water – This does not need to be huge water tray or a free flowing tap but having water accessible has so many benefits for the children, especially outdoors. It also means it doesn’t need to be cleared up after like when water play takes place inside. Children can use it in the mud kitchen, to paint with, to make marks, to wash resources that they find outside, to transport, to fil and empty etc. The options are limitless.
7. Resource shed – Whether you have a loose parts approach or prefer an outdoor classroom you will want somewhere to store all of your resources such as watering cans, pots and pans, magnifying glasses etc.… Label the resources shed well and encourage the children to be active in taking care of their outdoor space. This again gives children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
8. Climbing materials – Whether this be a manmade climbing frame, created by the children from plank and crate, or fallen tree trunks and branches. These help children to learn to manage risk and to challenge their physical boundaries, gaining in confidence and skill as they continue to take part in climbing activities.
9. Adult engagement – Too often in the outdoors practitioners tend to supervise rather than engage, therefore adult engagement has made its way onto the list. This does not mean adult lead, and sometimes a child lead activity with sensitive adult interaction can be the most effective way to support a child’s learning in the outdoors.
10. Freedom – Children need to have the freedom to explore the outdoors fully, taking risks, gaining confidence, learning their own limitations, expressing themselves, shouting and screaming, running around and exploring the freedom that the outdoors has to offer.