CREATING PLAYSPACES FOR EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Children have a natural inclination to play and discover, pushing themselves to test their boundaries and learn through doing. It is therefore so important to strike a balance in your playground environment that allows children to extend themselves while remaining safe and injury free.

Timber Creations was started by experts in education who understand child development and safety, and the importance of discovery-based play. The design team consider each play piece, section, as well as the playground as a whole, to ensure children have the freedom to make decisions about their own play, assess their own ability, and use the equipment in the way that makes them feel safe but engaged.

The Importance of Timber in Play

Using the natural shapes of the timber creates interesting and open-ended play opportunities by providing uneven surfaces, knots and bumps for children to traverse. The natural timber also encourages imagination, and almost every piece can be used in multiple ways to give children ownership over their play, for authentic learning and self-discovery.

Natural Play Encourages Imagination

Timber Creations assess the space and utilise natural features of the environment to make sure there are completely abstract natural spaces for children to create their own games and experiences, as well as play pieces that encourage certain actions, such as ladders and shop fronts.

Even these semi-prescriptive pieces are transformed by the children playing; a shop front could be a café, an information desk or a puppet theatre! They can go up or down the ramp or ladder different, unexpected ways every time! Not to mention the imaginative play that rocks, logs and stumps inspire!

Large thick ropes and natural hardwood timbers help in encouraging children to experiment and test their boundaries, without fear of using the equipment ‘wrong’. If every playground is custom designed and carefully considered, children have room to grow and develop, rather than learning how to use a slide the correct way. While children love using traditional playground equipment, these are only part of the puzzle of learning through play, and repetitive structures leave no room for personal growth and development.

Timber Creations create playgrounds that children have never seen before, stirring a sense of wonder and excitement! For playspaces that inspire imagination, growth and discovery, contact the Timber Creations design team for a consultation via the links below.