28/10/2026
A few months ago I spotted this metal frame out the back of the GrowAbility Nursery and I just couldn’t stop thinking about its (play) potential! So, I enquired with the nursery if perhaps they might like to repurpose it out in the parklands, and much to my delight, they very generously agreed!
This morning the preschoolers and I picked up some Hardenbergia tubes from the nursery and planted them around the base of the frame, with the hope that they will eventually grow to cover the whole thing and become the most beautiful natural shelter!
But…it’s very hard to wait that long, so we spent the rest of the morning working together to make “Blanket Castle” 🏰🤩
Did you know that cubby building is a really important part of childhood?
⛺️ Children rarely control their immediate indoor environments so a cubby gives them a micro-world they can organize, design, and rule themselves.
🎪 Building or playing in a cubby with friends requires negotiation, sharing, communication, and conflict resolution, so it is a wonderful opportunity for developing social skills and practising cooperation.
🌳 Figuring out how to prop up branches, drape sheets, or balance boxes teaches basic physics, spatial awareness, and trial-and-error design.
🛖 As well as fostering creativity and imagination, emotional regulation, and developing a foundational "sense of place".
All of this learning and development through real-life, hands-on, child-led play! All we need to do is provide the right environment, the kids will do the rest! 🤗💖