::: children + water + sand = fun
During the recent holidays we experienced the most magnificent Autumn weather – crisp nights and warm, sunny days with blue, blue skies. We just couldn’t bear to be indoors, so along with everyone else and their children we headed out as much as possible. One of our favourite parks is Wombat Bend Park in Templestowe in Melbourne’s north and we decided to go there and enjoy our last day of free holiday play.
Amongst many other wonderful activities here is the extensive sandpit area. One of the beauties of it is the access to water – taps at various points that direct the water …
along a gutter …
and eventually into the sandpit …
where the children dig a huge drain …
to steer it where they want it to go.
Our children immediately took off their shoes and boots …
because it is such fun getting your feet into it …
and your hands …
and why not your bottom?
Feet and hands can be washed and dried, clothes can be changed. We felt very sad to hear a number of parents telling their children not to get wet as they were about to go home, or head off shopping or other unimportant thing. What can we say about that?
At least our kids had a great time!!
Wow, way cool! I think I might take my girls there next time we travel out that way (even though they’re not little anymore I still think they’d love it). Have you seen the new playground at Yarra Glen? It also has a great sand/water play space, together with some impressive swings and other fun play stuff. It’s so much fun that you will even see adults playing there too, rather than hanging around on the peripherals.
:: We have seen it Giselle, but haven’t had a chance to play there yet. It certainly needed upgrading – it was looking pretty pathetic for a long time! We’ll have to head out that way again. Maybe grab a coffee and do some window shopping at the same time.
What a lovely experience for the children and how sad that some adults could not see the value of letting children explore the materials the way you did! Your photographs so clearly show the learning – no words are needed! Thanks.
::: You’re so right Niki, it’s all there!!
i think it’s great you did that for your kids! it was obviously a good time for you and them to do that. i don’ think its it’s ok for you to judge other people and what they deem important. they probably have quality time with their children as well. there’s nothing wrong with teaching children to make responsible choices. sometimes it is a good time to be carefree but sometimes it is important to do the right thing.
Lead by example, that all you can say. I do agree with Andrea to a degree, that there ar numerous parenting styles out there & some may be culture driven. Having said that, I never for a moment thought that those people were being judged. Rather an opinion was being offered. Sadly in these times it is more the norm for children to be denied tactile, sensory, natural experiences. That is changing slowly thanks to the likes of the ‘Irresistible’ ones, but it will be a slow process. There will always be those who choose to do it their own way & that’s fine as long as children’s development, growth and learning are not hindered. Wish I has been there with you. I would’ve been up to my armpits.
::: Hahaha! We know you would have Bear … We KNOW!
[...] simply dig up a drain in a sand pit and enjoy the glorious [...]