Inspiring Outdoor Play Spaces

This article by the Museum's Early Childhood Programs Coordinator, Mary Scott Hackman, was originally posted on Kidoinfo.

“In childhood play, it is a safe assumption that kids need more than a two-dimensional screen to gain competency.  Children need free, hands-on play that is kid-organized, to maximize their potential.  Nothing lights up a child’s brain like play.” – Stuart Brown, M.D., founder of the National Institute for Play

Years ago, I attended a workshop given by an architect of children’s spaces.  One remark that struck me that day and lingers still was, “Next to food, the element that is essential to the health and well-being of our children is light.”  I remember thinking, “Well, we should close down all childcare centers housed in basements!”  And now I think it’s just another reason to advocate for getting our children out of doors and into the natural light of day.

Rhonda Clements, Manhattanville College faculty member and advocate for children’s outdoor play, did a study where she interviewed children ages 5 - 12.  She cited this response from one youngster when asked whether he preferred indoor or outdoor play: “ I don’t like playing outdoors because there aren’t any outlets to plug a computer into.”

When I was a child, when the season allowed, we played outside all the time. One of my favorite play memories is when, after a rainstorm, the kids in the neighborhood gathered where two yards joined.  One yard was at the top of a hill, the other at the bottom.  We started at the top, got a running start, and careened down a stream of mud into the next yard, winding up in a huge puddle.  It took a bit of courage the first time, then nobody hesitated – we just all lined up again and again.  In fact, it was almost as much fun watching as it was taking your turn!

Things are admittedly different today.  Kids have more competing for their attention.  But given a bit of encouragement and a few props, a fun, free, magical experience in the outdoors awaits them.  So what do they need?  A wooden spoon or stick to tap out a rhythm on pieces of wood or stone.  A cardboard box with a hole cut in the side for a door.  Or better yet, discovering an opening in the base of a globe of vines or a forsythia bush for a secret get-away space.

My current guru on outdoor play is Rusty Keeler, founder and designer of Planet Earth Playscapes, who suggests that, “well-arranged plants for children can become playhouses, hideouts, castles…”  One idea you might try is to scatter sunflowers in the shape of a square.  Think about it, a living fortress of looming sunflowers.  Intriguing for the children, a veritable feast for the birds and a grand, natural play space all for a few pennies.

When considering an outdoor play space for your kids and your neighbors’ kids, think about these things: freedom, opportunities for risk-taking, natural materials, a water source, ropes, things to dig with.  Oh, and no adults!

Yes, that’s right.  No adults.  Kids need unstructured, unsupervised hours of time outdoors where there are no rules (except for the ones they create…and recreate!).  No one telling them what’s what, so they have to negotiate with one another and figure it out.

Let’s think of outdoor play spaces where kids create – they create the things they play with, they create the rules they play by.

Where in the Wild?

Museum visitors can explore our great outdoors as they wriggle and stretch through The Climber, tunnel through Underland, and try fun-filled outdoor challenges in The Children’s Garden all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays in May and June.

One of the playful challenges is a texture hunt, created by AmeriCorps Museum Educator Jackie Frole – check it out below. Spot any objects you recognize?

Stay tuned to learn about other outdoor explorations. Happy hunting!

PlayWatch: Water Wizards

This post was contributed by AmeriCorps Museum Educator Rachel Schwartz.

As I was driving into work on Easter Sunday, the roads were empty, sidewalks vacant. Providence residents were not to be seen. When the Children’s Museum opened, subsequently few families came in to play with us. Regardless of the lack of visitors, it gave a certain family a chance to really get to know Water Ways.

The water pressure was especially high in Water Ways so the fountains were shooting further than normal. A father and his 6-year-old son started out by making fountains using pipe pieces. As time went on, their fountains became more and more intricate. Eventually, they came up with a jet design. They discovered that if they covered up one of the fountain holes, there would be enough water pressure to shoot the water from the big tank to the toddler tank.

Then the determined duo decided to move the jet so that it would shoot from the big middle tank to the long side tank. The family and I walked under the stream of water many times. It was a blast!

Thank you to the family that shared this experience with me. Now this is one of my favorite tricks in Waters Ways. You never know what can happen on a slow Sunday!

Let kids be kids!

This post was contributed by Kendra Leigh Miller, Museum volunteer.

Let them run, play and make some noise! It’s all part of being a child and learning as they grow, said Dr. William Hollinshead.

Hollinshead is also a pediatrician, Vice President of the R.I. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and former Medical Director/Chief of Family Health policy and programs for the R.I. Department of Health.

The doctor was the guest speaker at the Museum’s annual meeting held April 11. His topic, so relevant with today’s children, was “Playing with Our Future.” It focused on the importance of children engaging in unstructured, free-thinking play. He and the Museum make a perfect pair, given this is one of the main, most important messages the Museum advocates.

“Grandma always told the kids to go out and play and it turns out, she was right,” Hollinshead said. “Unstructured play is the way children figure out how the world works. It’s not just about human children, but it’s the way all young mammals learn language, math, politics AND they do it without much intervention from parents.”

He said it’s okay to be a little less vigorous in the way adults help children, allow them not be so organized with their play and let them do what comes naturally. Children can be so over scheduled these days with soccer practice, dance lessons, music lessons, school tests and other activities along with the modern marketing of video games (he called it a phenomenon) that simple, thoughtful play gets lost in the mix.

Hollinshead said studies have shown a great deal about how the brain is molded in the very early months by the natural process of learning and experiences children have, good or bad, can certainly have an effect.

“Give them true toys,” he said. “With blocks, sticks and fabric a child can bring their imagination to life and pretend these things are lots of other things, whatever is in the mind of a child.”

Hollinshead mentioned research done by psychologist Peter Gray at Boston College, who also promotes children’s free play. According to Gray’s work, a child will walk for hours if he can. He’ll fall down a lot but he’s learning how to be two-legged. It’s a process where he’s learning about his environment.

A child may pick up an object, turn it over in his hands a few times and probably bang it on the floor or ground to see what happens. Again, he’s testing the objects in his environment.

A group of 5 year olds can and will agree on what a castle will look like if they want to build one. They’ll learn how to listen to each other, designate who will do what, and work together to accomplish the shared goal. Little do they realize these are traits they’re learning for adult life.

Among Hollinshead’s basic points: play needs to be fun and largely free of adult intervention – unless, of course, children are harming each other. Adults should ensure children have a variety of spaces for imaginative play without intrusion.

“If grown-ups meddle or interrupt the free flow of fantasy, it breaks the spell and takes the fun out of it,” Hollinshead said.

Good, productive play is often chaotic and noisy and that’s alright, too. Hollinshead recommended we should “all work for a world in which kids play more,” and keep in mind that learning isn’t just about what children gain from being in school. Some of life’s most important lessons come from play.

Celebrating active play - inside and out!

From the Museum's recent annual meeting, take a look at some of last year's highlights, in words and photos:

Click here to download our 2010 Annual Report and get the full story on last year's accomplishments.

PlayWatch: Creative Construction!

This post was contributed by AmeriCorps Museum Educator Cassandra Kane, who documented a great play moment that happened at the Museum today.

An avid tree-house builder, 9-year-old Matthew loves a good building challenge. While he and his friends played in Shape Space this afternoon, he ambitiously decided to erect a structure using every wooden block.

With an architect’s eye for detail, the third grader first balanced two long, rectangular blocks on top of three others. He built his four-point foundation by repeating this step three times with the rest of the long, rectangular pieces.

Then, Matthew said, he “just kept stacking.”

After connecting the base with flat, rectangular pieces, he continued to slowly and meticulously pile on blocks of all shapes and sizes, creating jumbled tiers of carefully balanced triangles, arcs, squares, and prisms. He smartly placed heavier blocks near the bottom, and one lone cylinder atop the edifice like a skyscraper’s needle.

One hour later – after overcoming challenges like a younger child wanting to sit on the base during the construction phase! – Matthew proudly stood next to his sturdy structure and eagerly asked for more blocks. I think we’ve witnessed the early work of a future famous architect!

THANK YOU to Our Volunteers!

Last week was National Volunteer Week, and the Museum celebrated with a special volunteer recognition board and festive dress-up days, planned by AmeriCorps Museum Educator Julie Burkhard.

Below, some volunteer facts and quotes compiled by Julie:

Did you know...?

• Museum volunteers gave 11,698 hours of service in 2010 alone
• The Museum has volunteers ranging from 1 - 69 years young
• The Museum currently has over 30 regular volunteers, not including college work-study students
• The Museum would not be able to open its doors without volunteers

Why we volunteer...

“I love working with kids.”
–Claudia, Play Guide

“I like being creative, I like helping out, and I like having FUN!”
–Allyson, Graphic Design Intern

“Because I love children. Their positivity truly influences me! They are magical!”
–Rachel, AmeriCorps Museum Educator

“As an AmeriCorps volunteer, I am able to do satisfying work, have fun, and be inspired every day by the children, by the professional staff, and by my fellow AmeriCorps volunteers.”
–Bonnie, AmeriCorps Museum Educator

“Because I love to make kids smile.”
-Amy, Education Intern

“We volunteer for a few reasons. We wanted to give our daughter a better connection to other children in the community, since she is getting older. We want her to understand volunteerism and what it means to give back to others. And we wanted to play at the Museum more! This gives us time as a family to focus on each other, as well as those around us."
–Amy, Family Volunteer

Why the Museum appreciates its volunteers...

“I love the fact that volunteers are here at the Museum because they choose to be. And (a big AND) we could not take care of our visitors without them!”
–Mary, Early Childhood Programs Coordinator

"Our volunteers are the BEST! I love their playful spirit and that we hear from visitors again and again how memorable our Play Guides and desk staff are!
–Carly, Education Programs Coordinator



"Volunteering is not easy. You must have a big heart and willing to serve people without expecting anything in return. That's why we love volunteers, because they are a special kind of people."
–Diana, Experience Coordinator



"Museum volunteers share their passion for play. They make exhibits and programs even more fun!"
–Cathy, Director of Education

“They remind me of how amazing it is to give your time to something you really enjoy, and this place couldn’t run without them!
–Lyndsey, AmeriCorps Museum Educator

“They help us ensure a quality experience for everyone who enters our building.”
–Joanna, Communications & Membership Assistant

“I enjoy chatting with the volunteers and saying hello when they are coming in to start their day with us. Thanks for the smiles!”
–Shannon, Visitation Specialist with Families Together

“They are ALWAYS willing to help!”
–Barbara, Office Manager