The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children
We believe that muddy knees and climbing trees is a quintessential part of childhood and science and little ones tends to agree!
Spending time outside can support children's physical development, emotional wellbeing, social skills, creativity and connection with the world around them.
There are only so many parks and forests to keep them occupied before they’re looking for something a little more exciting and you’re looking for the option of a roof and hot beverage while they explore.
The Playbarn is about having a safe space to socialise and play, where children have the freedom to explore and parents don't have to be hypervigilant for every little moment. During each session, Millie or Anna will run an optional activity rooted in creativity and core development, but ultimately, the little ones are free to follow their own curiosity.
Sometimes the best learning happens when nobody realises they're learning at all.
Somewhere to Use All That Energy
Don't run. Don't jump on that. Watch the furniture. Please stop climbing on the table.
Sound familiar?
Well, they're words you can take a break from at the Playbarn.
Running, jumping, climbing, balancing and chasing all help children develop their physical skills, strength, coordination and confidence in their own bodies. Our outdoor environment is built to naturally encourage all the things you probably spend most of your time avoiding at home.
Everyone benefits from a child having somewhere to use up some of that absolutely endless energy.
Adventure Is Everywhere
A stick is a magic wand, a fishing rod, a sword, a microphone or part of an obstacle course.
A flower is an ingredient for a potion or perfume, a product in their imaginary business, or an extremely important piece of treasure.
Outdoor spaces are full of things children can investigate, collect, question and transform through their imagination. Nature gives them constantly changing sights, sounds, textures and discoveries to explore.
Sometimes children just need the space and freedom to go where their curiosity takes them.
Building Confidence
Trying to balance on a wobbly log.
Playing the role of pirate or princess.
Working out how to get across a muddy patch without falling in.
Sometimes falling in anyway, and getting muddier than seems plausible.
The Playbarn is designed so that parents get a break from tests, challenges and decision-making, while the children are throwing themselves headfirst into them.
Those everyday moments of problem-solving and independence help build confidence, the kind they'll carry with them as they grow. Everyday moments of problem solving and independence give them the confidence it takes to one day be an adult who’s day is 90% decision making.
The Playbarn also teaches parents that they don’t need to solve every problem for their little one.
Sometimes you can just sit back and let them surprise you.
Growing Friendships
We've seen friendships start with an invitation to make pancakes in the mud kitchen or discovering a shared favourite colour while making art.
Our space gives children the opportunity to play alongside one another, collaborate, negotiate and solve problems together. They're practising social and emotional skills while making the friendships that will shape their childhood.
There will be disagreements, negotiations, strong opinions, laughter, tears and everything in between.
Not so different from adult friendships, really.
Explore, Experiment, Repeat
We're all about child-led play.
The little ones have control over how they spend their time, and adults take a bit of a back seat.
Children learn a lot when they're given opportunities to make choices, follow their interests and experiment with their own ideas.
And the outdoors is perfect for this.
Nobody needs to provide instructions for making mud soup.
Outdoor environments give children the freedom to explore, experiment and use their imagination in ways that support curiosity, independence, problem-solving and creative thinking.
Come for a Visit
The benefits of outdoor play for children is immediately evident to anyone you spends a morning or afternoon at the Playbarn.
Our Stay & Play sessions give children aged 1-7 the space to run, climb, create, explore, make friends and follow their imaginations.
It costs £10 for a 2 hour session any time between 10am - 3pm on weekdays in Summer and 10am-12pm from the beginning of October.
Comments