The document discusses the importance of outdoor play for children's development during their early years. It describes the author's childhood memories of summertime activities like catching insects, gazing at stars, and exploring nature freely without technology. Outdoor play allows children to use their imagination, try new things independently without supervision, and gain confidence through mastery of their environment. The document advocates for ensuring children have access to simple open-ended toys and materials that inspire imagination and creative play outdoors.

1. J
umping stepping-stones, catching
insects, gazing at stars and digging
holes; chasing bees (and getting stung!),
blowing bubbles, picking fruit, playing
catch and racing on space hoppers…
All of this pretty much summarises
my childhood years during the
summertime. A technology-free
time. A mix of smells, noises,
textures, colours and tastes that you
wouldn’t find during indoor play.
I look at those preschool and early
infant school years as the perfect time
for children to embark on adventures,
exploration – and
having the freedom
of believing anything
is possible.
A world of free-
play, no end goal or
structure – going where
the nature-fuelled
imagination takes you.
The majority of tools
required for outdoor
play are in ready supply
by the natural world
– whether this is in a
private garden, beach, hilltop or public park.
Adults can bolster this ready-built environment
for children with a variety of simple materials.
Play-tools that can inspire children to run wild
with their imagination include bubbles, explorer
kits, microscopes and magnifying glasses, nets,
spades, buckets, balls and many others.
Parents often ease off outside, allowing
children to play with more energy and
enthusiasm – after ensuring the little explorers’
playground is safe, of course. Generally, there’s
less direction placed during this time – children
Stacey casts her mind back to
when tiptoeing to the bottom of
the garden and sneaking up on
a beautiful butterfly felt like the
biggest adventure in the world...
run about, yell louder and are given more
opportunity to play on their own terms.
It is important to encourage outdoor
play, as it offers a great opportunity for
children to gain competency and a sense
of mastery while exercising. Personal pride
develops when they learn and understand
something new, with no adult supervision or
assistance. This improved self-confidence
and positivity can translate well into social
confidence, allowing them to master the art
of discovery, being curious and independent.
As part of the preschool industry, it’s our
job to ensure we understand what tools – toys
or otherwise – have
the potential to
trigger a child’s
imagination. We
need to make these
readily available for
children to integrate
into their outdoor
play-patterns as
they see fit. There’s
no rulebook – it
is the child’s
responsibility to
imagine a game and
establish the rules.
The same play tools are often used in
a different context or order, building a
child’s inventiveness and encouraging
them to look at objects from another
perspective and apply them in a different
context. One day a stick could be a
raft floating down a stream, the next, a
magic wand bringing all the trees to life!
Through an adult’s lens, watching children
immersed in their play-world and role-play,
could be perceived as a completely different
language. It is the time where they come out
of their shell and test ideas to their limits.
Making sure little ones have access to a crazy
bottle of bubbles or little explorers science
kit is practically a summer essential – and
where they go from there is up to them! Who
knows? It is really important we remember
play is a necessity, not a luxury. For us all.”
SUMMERTIME
EXPLORERS
A DESIGN FOR LIFE
Hamley’s brand design
manager and toy designer,
Stacey Dix has a special
interest in preschool
product and play and is
perfectly placed to share
her insights and thoughts
about play theory and
creative play patterns.
“
PROGRESSIVE PRESCHOOL 19
Above: Summer explorer
kits are popular and
timeless. Left: Running
around in the fresh air is
important – regardless of
the British weather!