Rediscovering Time Under The Open Sky

5 Outdoor Sensory Play Ideas for Slowing Down with Children

If there were a theory of the fantastic as there is for logic, then we would be able to discover the art of invention. (Novalis)

In 1973, the Italian writer and children’s book author Gianni Rodari set this quotation in the introduction to his magnum opus, The Grammar of Fantasy. However, imagination requires no theory, merely time.
Time is the main element children need to discover their personal art of invention. They are driven by their innate intuition, imagination and creativity as they handle, explore and experiment with objects and materials. The joy of learning is also stimulated by imagination and not only through logic.

With a young child’s physical health and well-being in mind, I tried to imagine outdoor spaces where children can slow down, enjoy time, develop their soft skills, and experience psychomotor learning. These prepared environments nurture the child’s self-guided exploration of sensory perception, motion, creativity and imagination, in nature & daylight.

Each prepared environment can be set up and equipped by the parents or teachers themselves, or together with the children…