Playscape Brainstorming and Planning Workshops

If you are looking for a way to jumpstart your own playscape project or inspire groups of people at a conference or gathering we can help. Our workshops are geared to your needs whether they are a quick 1 hour introduction to the world of natural playscapes or a roll-up-your-sleeves full day playscape workshop.

1-2 hour

With striking images, stories, and discussions, this quick but comprehensive workshop is a great way to introduce the idea of natural playscapes to your group.  Topics covered are: children and the nature, the benefits of outdoor play, what is a natural playscape, a look at adding plants, art, and sound to the outdoor environment, and an introduction to the community-built process.

Who it is best for

These workshops are perfect for conferences, seminars, luncheon talks, teacher-training days, parent nights and more. Some groups invite us to speak at events for the general public. Other groups bring us in to introduce the concept of natural playscapes to their staff and parents to kick off a playscape project of their own.

½ day

The ½ day workshop goes more in depth about what natural playscapes are all about and begins to look at how to dream, draw, and plan a project of your own.

Who it is best for

For large groups the ½ day workshop works well for conferences, seminars, and child and nature special events. It is also great for groups beginning a natural playscape project of their own and want help beginning the brainstorming process.

Full Day

This full day workshop is great for conferences, trainings, or as a special event. We begin by introducing the concept of natural playscapes with our colorful slideshow and then facilitate the brainstorming and designing process. At the end of the day attendees with be well on their way towards creating their own natural play area. We walk folks through the dreaming and drawing process that we use on all our projects. Participants leave the workshop with their own hand-drawn Master Plan, lists of local people and material resources they brainstormed, and the beginnings of a plan to start building their dream playscape.

Who it is best for

This full day seminar is great for large groups of childcare providers, design professionals, college students, and elementary school teachers. We have led  these full day trainings for Head Start regions, NAEYC state conferences, and city arboretums.

Full Day – Intensive Group Workshop

The full day workshop is the ultimate roll-up-your sleeves session to begin a natural playscape project. We facilitate a design and planning day for your project with you and your playscape committee. We set up a fun, encouraging atmosphere to help you brainstorm your needs and dreams, look at your community resources of people and materials, and work with you to develop a Master Plan of your outdoor space. Once that is in place we work with your group to help organize the planning and building process according to your specific timeline and needs. At the end of the day you will have a Master Plan drawing of your new space, plus a long list of action steps for your group to take as you organize and plan your project.

Who it is best for:

Perfect for groups who want to plan and build a natural playscape on their own, but want some guidance at the beginning of the project to kick it off. You probably already have an energetic playscape committee in place and are ready to go, but just need help organizing your ideas and planning the project.