Dec 2, 2018 | Early Years Outdoors, Play Resources, Technologies
Several years ago I bought a set of bamboo guttering comprising of 6 short and 6 long lengths. I’ve used it so many times, with so many classes and groups and in so many ways. Here’s some of the reasons why it is such a useful resource… 1. It is light and...
Jun 12, 2017 | Personal & Holidays, Technologies
Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Tom Hall, 14yr-old Games Designer, and joining him and his family for a game of Bug Off. Tom has spent over two years developing the game and refining the rules and design. It is currently designed for 2-4 players, but...
Jan 15, 2017 | Technologies
In 2016 I spent a lot of time on the road. I’ve had the privilege of working in many different areas of Australia before visiting several international schools in Hong Kong. I was briefly back home before joining the Education Iceland study trip and conference....
Jan 8, 2017 | Play Resources, Science Outdoors, Technologies
A guest blog post from Andrea Stevenson. I was truly inspired by a recent Creative STAR post about giving new life to a Christmas tree which would otherwise have been thought of as rubbish. The first thing we decided to do was cut off all of the branches leaving short...
Aug 7, 2016 | Science Outdoors, Technologies
“A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed. It feels an impulsion. This is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see...
Sep 27, 2015 | Gardening, Nature Play & Learning, Technologies
Every autumn or spring, I like to try something new or different to make with foraged or grown fruit and berries. I’ve tried making rosehip syrup which was lovely. This year I managed to be sufficiently organised to try my hand at making a fruit leather. You can...
May 30, 2015 | Early Years Outdoors, Gardening, Literacy Outdoors, Technologies
Recently I blogged about making seed packets from unwanted books. This is a brilliant concept in that it’s an informal approach to children continuing to interact with text in a way that is short, sweet and fun. When I posted this blog, Mark Paterson, the...
Feb 16, 2015 | Art & Music Outdoors, Social Subjects Outdoors, Technologies
It is impossible to ignore The Kelpies. These huge sculptures immediately attract your attention when driving past Falkirk on the M9 motorway. Finally Scotland has a piece of roadside public art with a “wow” factor. They are unmissable, unforgettable and...
Feb 8, 2015 | Community Involvement, Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Early Years Outdoors, Technologies
When I visited Highway Farm in October, the Hobbit House immediately grabbed my attention. It is a beautiful, bespoke structure. Naturally I had to find out the story behind its existence. At Highway Farm Activity Centre – where there is an out of school club...
Dec 6, 2014 | Early Years Outdoors, Health & Wellbeing, Technologies
‘”Hot soup was a jolly good idea, it’s so very cold this morning but then it’s very early, the sun is only just coming up – look!” They finished their breakfast watching the blue water turn to dancing gold, even the rocks gleamed in...
Sep 10, 2014 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Technologies
Recently I came across a series of simple shacks being built for an event. They were created from locally cut saplings in the village of Nida in Lithuania. I really liked the simplicity of the construction and felt it could be a useful project for older children who...
Aug 31, 2014 | Art & Music Outdoors, Science Outdoors, Social Subjects Outdoors, Technologies
Most weather vanes are basic affairs. They are an arrow which points in the direction of the wind and with the compass directions at the bottom. The designs are usually fairly traditional stuff. All-in-all, my excitement levels about weather vanes has never been...
Aug 7, 2014 | Art & Music Outdoors, Early Years Outdoors, Technologies
Several years ago I blogged about peg loom weaving. This may not seem obviously outdoorsy but it is. The looms are simple to use and any long strands can be woven through the pegs including plastic bags, long grasses, plant stems and gathered wool. The looms are very...
May 7, 2014 | Art & Music Outdoors, Early Years Outdoors, Play Resources, Technologies
Do you have a growing collection of charity bags which get popped through your door each week? If you do, and you don’t have any particular plans for them, perhaps it’s time to put them to good use as outdoor dance items. Several years ago I was...
Apr 16, 2014 | Art & Music Outdoors, Science Outdoors, Technologies
Have you ever got that feeling that you aren’t making the most of a resource? Ever since I bought my mini iPad I knew I hadn’t done enough experimenting with Photo Booth. I had given classes opportunity to freely play with Photo Booth and its effects. The...
Mar 29, 2014 | Art & Music Outdoors, Early Years Outdoors, Technologies
Many years ago I was training at Malvern Way Infant and Nursery School in Rickmansworth. At the time, they had been developing their grounds for the past 8 years under the leadership of a head teacher, Janet English, who retired in 2014. This included giving children...
Jan 25, 2014 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Early Years Outdoors, Technologies
Recently I blogged about my experience of creating suitable shelters when on beach visits with a nursery. I realised as I was gathering photos together that I had examples of other temporary shelters which practitioners use with children, many of which are suitable...
Sep 18, 2013 | Community Involvement, Play Resources, Technologies
What’s your idea of a den? I worked largely in tarmac playgrounds and school grounds which often had few trees suitable for den building. The dens I saw children build tended to be reliant on boxes, lattice tunnels and attached to fences or a line of rope tied...
Aug 3, 2013 | Science Outdoors, Technologies
Many traditional toys provide the ideal introduction to the principles of physics. Concepts that are hard to explain can be illustrated through experimentation. This blog post considers the benefits of playing with a variety of flying disks. Playing with frisbees is a...
May 31, 2013 | Health & Wellbeing, Nature Play & Learning, Science Outdoors, Technologies
Many years ago I had a wonderful few days holiday over on the West Coast of Scotland. My family and I stayed at the Pier House Hotel in Port Appin which wins lots of awards for being friendly, welcoming and having an amazing seafood restaurant. On the last night, to...
