Preschool EYFS outdoors

We don't always think of our outdoor spaces like rooms, but we should! Garden fences are like our virtual "walls" in a garden. As you would hang photos and art on your interior walls, don't be afraid to try these 15 creative garden fence ideas & spruce ups!

We can all have our own Jurassic Park now.

Small World Play!

Ideas for Garden Dens for kids

I thought I would include a little about my business her for all interested, as I have started to link this blog to my advertising. All pictures of children on this blog are of my own sons or of children in my care who's parents have given permission for them to be included. I respect the children's privacy and will refer to them by a letter and not their name. I have been looking after children since completing my NNEB (level 3) Qualification in 1995. Since that time I have been a private…

This February half term I was lucky enough to be invited to go out to Brunei and work with the team at Hornbill School. The school caters for both Nepali...

in the summer I offer a fairy (or gnome) garden making class at my preschool. for more information on how to make these gardens see posts here <a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/08/fairy-camp.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/08/fairy-camp.html</a> here <a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/08/fairy-camp-part-two.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/08/fairy-camp-part-two.html</a> and here <a…

This weekend I have been researching ideas for creating more natural play spaces in the garden. I wanted something natural and beautiful that the children could play in. I found a couple of images of small world play in the garden and this inspired me to create such a space in our setting. I popped […]

Lyn's Family Day Care added a new photo.

Every year over the 4th of July my parents put on a big family reunion. My crazy fun loving family is big into themes so we’ve started to chose a theme each year. Past years have been Western…

Back in May I traded posts with Alistair Bryce-Clegg from the UK. We are up to it again. (You do realize us fellows have to stick togethe...

The potential & possibilities of mini worlds for children of all ages

Yesterday afternoon I set up an outside laboratory for the children to make potions. Using finds from last week's kitchen spring clean, I was pleased to put our out-of-date store-cupboard goods to use. We used: 1. Out-of-date spices, cornflour, bicarbonate of soda, mustard, ketchup and some poster paint. 2. Diluted vinegar, water and vegetable oil. 3. Empty spice jars, plastic medicine spoons and chopsticks. 4. Plastic funnels and a pipette from a liquid vitamin bottle. Bud and Daisy…

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that often the most simple activities are the best. This week at Art Play Group we made Nature Soup, a concoction of lemons fresh from our lemon tree, rose petals, rocks, leaves and water with assorted shades of food coloring. Let’s just say it was delicious! I […]

Playful Minds Childcare added 15 new photos to the album: Activities.

We headed out to garden to make Fairy Soup, which was a fabulous fine motor and sensory activity, and a great way to keep cool on a warm, humid morning

Vintage pots and petals in the water tray

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that often the most simple activities are the best. This week at Art Play Group we made Nature Soup, a concoction of lemons fresh from our lemon tree, rose petals, rocks, leaves and water with assorted shades of food coloring. Let’s just say it was delicious! I […]

Early this morning, before it got too hot outside to play, the girls and I put on some play clothes and set up a little “potion lab” in the backyard for some messy pretend play FUN!! They seriously loved this!!! We reused the same clear plastic bottles from our driveway painting and filled them with …

Water play is one of the best ways to invite young children to explore, discover, and learn new skills To keep water play interesting and constructive, we have gathered ten terrific ways to get the most out of water play... Water Play Tubs of all Sizes and Shapes A water

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I saw this on Design Sponge over the weekend and was so wowed by it — both as a public art project and as a bit of DIY inspiration. It’s the brainchild of architect Tali Buchler, who describes herself on her blog like this: “I don’t design houses so much anymore. I use my design […]

Penbank School Study Tour, May 14

Penbank School Study Tour, May 14

These amazing artscapes are the perfect inspiration for your next party. Sometimes it is what you don't do that sets you apart from all the rest. So forget about traditional party decorations and take inspo from this collection of photos.

In many places, land is costly or scarce. Many homes and apartments include only a tiny porch, balcony, or patio. Others have a very small yard backing up to the neighbor's fence or the back side of another structure or a smaller part of a larger garden, such as a side alley. But even a single, well-placed container can add personality and color to a small space. Make the most of it. Steps 1 Size up your space. Measure it physically. How much space do you really have? What is the climate and…

Bug hotels are all the rage, its not hard to see why. Building a bug

Download this free picture about Rust Bike Garden from Pixabay's vast library of public domain images and videos.

We show children where to look but not what to see…This simple phrase has become part of our philosophy, which feeds into our approach and is who we are today as a setting. Our approach was originally inspired by the Reggio Approach, but we have developed and fine-tuned it over the years and we fully expect to continue enhancing and adapting, because no matter how good you think you are, you can always be better. At the end of the day we are providing care and education for children in their…

We love creating art outdoors! There is something about being out in the fresh air that really gets those creative juices flowing. We have done Slide Painting and Squirt Bottle Painting. Today we are sharing a fun art and science activity we did outdoors - creating with Bubbling Glitter Paint. Because paint is cool, glitter paint is even better and bubbling glitter paint is awesome! Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself! You will need: Baking soda Powdered tempera paint Vinegar Glitter…

Nature has so many great sensory experiences and Fall is the perfect time of year to explore them. The leaves change colors and drop from the trees along with pinecones and other fun objects. Take advantage of the season while it’s still here! Yesterday we explored nature with Mud Dough, today we are continuing to explore nature …

Have fun creating big fall art with this chunkin' pumpkin painting activity!

Ella's last day of school was exactly a week ago today. Ella's first and last day of Kindergarten She had a great year, and has gro...

The hubby and I have been on a serious DIY kick around here lately and today I'm excited to share with you guys our latest home project. True to form, it's yet another way to promote open-ended creativity in the kids. (This time, outdoors - double score!) Head over to eHow's Mom channel to get the full DIY on how to make your own outdoor easel. Then stock up on squirt bottles, sponges, squegees, shaving cream, and pretty much anything else you can think of to let the kids have at it! P.S…

A blog about preschool, play, early childhood education, learning outdoors, play outdoors, children and nature, play activities, kindergarten

The best toys for outdoor play are free, recycled or really, really cheap, in fact, many of them would not even be considered to be toys...more un-toys!

Fantastic toddler crafts :: kids painting turns into garden art

Firework-inspired activities, suitable for an Early Years setting - from Rachel (",)

I love mud kitchens this one is simple but still has plenty of room for friends to play with it.