Nature loose part playground
Playground to make nature more accessible
Interestingly, many girls participated in this intervention, as it aligned with their play preferences, offering a different approach to adventurous play. It was heartening to observe how the dispersed setup and complementary functions of the different platforms inspired children—many of whom didn't know each other—to collaborate. They would shout things like, "We need more sticks!" as they played together.
The construction was largely made from materials sourced from Buurman Antwerp and Rotor DC, companies dedicated to giving a new purpose to reclaimed materials.
Loose part play is often limited to designated areas or specific timeframes. We aimed to explore how loose part play could be made accessible in public spaces without supervision. Additionally, loose part play is frequently perceived by communities as "chaotic" or "messy" and sometimes too valuable to maintain due to the risk of materials disappearing. To address these, we wanted to stimulate the use of natural loose parts (stones, sticks, sand, pinecones, etc.), as their natural origins ensure they are always replenished, and their degradation is non-polluting. With this playground, we wanted to challenge children to search for play materials in nature and transform them creatively.
The greatest success factor for us was seeing children engage with greenery in new ways and transform their style of play. The play elements we created encouraged smaller, slower-paced activities, transforming, mixing, and experiencing natural materials. This resulted in a different kind of play compared to the existing activities already available at petting zoo Neerhof.
Working with children during participatory moments proved to be incredibly valuable. We observed that children were often hesitant at first, unsure if they were allowed to explore and investigate certain spaces, resulting in very cautious play. However, the deeper they ventured, the more they discovered smaller-scale play and displayed greater curiosity.
It became clear to us that by introducing small elements, we could make playing with greenery more accessible. Our intervention often acted as a kind of "permission," not only encouraging children to engage with the space but also prompting parents to feel comfortable allowing their children to play freely.
VALUE OF PARTICIPATION
The opportunity for children to actively contribute to building the play area was undoubtedly an added value. It fostered a sense of ownership and provided learning experiences—not only for the children themselves but also for us as facilitators.
Team
Cami Laureyssens, Jeanne Ribbens, Aude Van Brandt en Ali Almir Mostafa
Project subsidie
De Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie (VGC) Playcation
Partner
Het Neerhof
Location
Brussel, Belgium
Date
2024