Nature Play + Loose Parts: Invitations to Create

If you’re looking for Reggio-inspired ideas and activities this fall, look no further than a nearby park, forest, creek or riverbank for this season’s most inspiring Invitations to Create. There is so much inspiration to be found in nature, and so many learning connections to be made. As a big proponent of using loose parts (open-ended objects that can be re-purposed and re-imagined), we find so much inspiration in natural objects to bring home and use in new ways.

Unplugging and connecting with nature is so important for children of all ages. In fact, being outdoors supports development in so many areas: intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical (Kellert, 2005).

Texture Scavenger Hunt

Let’s go on a scavenger hunt to see how many textures we can find in nature.

 

(Click here for downloadable printables) for your muffin tin for texture words).

 

 

Mandalas

 

Once you've collected nature items from your nature walk or scavenger hunt, you're ready to create beautiful compositions!

 

 

Invitation:

 

Look at all of these beautiful objects you found on your texture scavenger hunt. Can we create a “mandala” with them? A mandala is a temporary picture (it disappears when we’re finished), with radial symmetry. That means the design starts in the centre, and radiates outwards. See what kinds of designs you can make.

 

 

Driftwood

 

Driftwood is such a beautiful organic summer material, and can be found in abundance on river banks and beaches.

 

Invitation:

 

Create a wall hanging. Use coloured yarn to represent each of your gifts or strengths. (Examples: brave, strong, creative, inventive...)

 

 

Extensions: attach portraits or illustrations of family members.

 

Beach Pebble Illustrations

Beach pebbles, smoothed by ripples and waves are a beautiful addition to your loose parts collection. Be sure to collect a variety: large, small, dark, medium and light. Store them in muffin tins for easy access.

 

 

Invitation:

 

Can you tell a story with pictures using only stones?

Next, write a sentence about it.

 

 

Kandinsky-Inspired Painted Tree Slices

 

When a tree is removed, chances are the trunk and branches are cut down for easier removal. Why not save those slices as loose parts for this beautiful Kandinsky-Inspired project? These make for beautiful classroom decor, and add bright colour and texture to your learning environment.

 

 

Invitation:

 

Let's use concentric circles to paint these tree slices. Where else can you find concentric circles (archery, ripples in a pond, rings in an onion...)

 

 

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on Facebook!

 

And as a bonus, here is my list of "must-have" loose parts to collect now, before the snow flies! Just click it to download it.