Sandcastle building

Summer Programme: sandpit fun

... the summer is in full swing and although we have not posted news for a few weeks this does not mean we have not been doing anything...on the contrary we have been super busy. 

The rain finally decided to stop and we have been enjoying all the good weather, playing outside, digging holes, wading in the paddling pool and generally messy about. 

MUD KITCHEN

Let’s get messy and creative!

A prefect location to install our new mud kitchen was found under the platform of our zip-line swing.

 

It didn't take a lot to do and a few parents helped by donating items.Once in place children naturally gravited to the area which was great becuase it was perviously a dead space.

 

We made some low level benches from tree stumps and old pallets where used to make a small square table. Pots and pans have been left out alongside kitchen utilises. Children then found other items, sand, leaves and sticks which allowed them to cook up a right muddy mess!

 This is definitely an area that can be further developed, wooden trunks, boxes, pretend oven and sink area….watch this space!...

Easter week

Hi there! 

...although we have not posted in a while it has not meant we have not been doing anything, far from it!

Our Easter programme was fun packed and lots of children visited the playground. Making short movies, props, painting, building dens, playing with the new nets, cooking outside and blindfold games are but a few of the activities happening each day. Below is a small nap shot college of what we got up to...

See you later alligator!

HAND ON ACTIVITIES

November has been a very exciting month for us. The children have undertaken a number of new creative project and have got their hands truly stuck in - digging, mixing, rubbing and shaking! 


Here's a quick run down of what we have been up to...

Sand Castles with a twist! - Moon Sand

... what is moon sand you ask? Well, basically it's wet sand that can be kept, re- moulded and re-shaped time and time again. After some research we discovered a cheap alternative to the shop bought supplies and here is how you can make your own moon sand.

for an added sparkle we added red glitter to our mixture too!

 RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE MOON SAND

• 6 cups of play sand

• 3 cups of cornstarch

• 1 1/2 cups of cold water    

Mix the water and cornstarch together until a smooth paste. Gradually mix in the sand, one cup at a time. You'll need to really work it in with your fingers. Add additional food colouring to change the shade (we used red) and your ready to play!  When you're finished pop it in an airtight container ready for the next time you want to play with it. (if it's dried out slightly add a few tablespoons of water. Just sprinkle it over and work it in.)

 

TREASURE HUNTERS a go-go!

A new addition to our playground kit is this fantastic metal detector.  Small groups of children took turns to search and dig around the playground looking for buried coins and relics. 

"come on guys -dig deep!"

UNDER AND OVER, OUTDOOR WEAVING

An interesting creative idea came about with the use of a couple of cut down branches, tree stump and materials box. Children were encouraged to express their creative ideas and explore through this weaving experiences outside our main play hut. Passing children stopped to ask was it an early chritmas tree as it was so colourful!

 

PLAY, SENSORY MEDIUM USING COLOURED RICE

Did you know that rice can also be used as a playful thing too? The texture is something that is lovely to sift though you fingers, shake and sprinkle. It's alot of fun and adding colour to it adds an extra element. It's really simple to do and a lot of fun.

The best rice to use is long gram white rice. Pour a cup full of rice into a small sandwich bag and add a table spoon of water. Then add a few drops of food colouring. Seal the bag and shake until all the small grams of rice are covered. Afterwards open the bag and spread the rice onto kitchen roll tissue and leave to dry over night. We made 3 different colours but of course you can make lots of different colours and shades depending on the amount of food colouring you add.