Anyone Have Either Of These Outside?

[WImom]

I'd like to add some non plastic items to my daycare outdoor space:

stepping stones in our play area, outdoor kitchen, and a painting surface attached to the fence for painting that I could just spray off with a hose.

Anyone have any of these that they could share how they have it set up or a photo?

Not sure if I should do the stepping stones different sizes or make a pattern or just a straight line to jump from one to the other.

The painting surface I was thinking plexiglass hung on the fence and then just hose off? I figured I could use all different products: Paint, shaving cream, pudding, etc that they could paint on.

The kitchen I was thinking of using my plastic little tikes kitchen we already have outside and getting a small picnic table and one of the sand tables for them to make 'cakes, cookies, etc with the sand. I'd have to use some kind of low border to keep this all contained. I don't want sand all over especially on the concrete.

[snbauser]

We have a plastic step 2 kitchen on the patio along with the sand tables. I don't have the plexiglass on the fence but have thought about it and seen some cool ones in Kaplan's most recent catalog along with the stepping logs. I just recently got rid of my climbing structure for various reasons and am planning on replacing it with wooden balance beam type stuff along with stepping logs/stones.

[melskids]

I plan on adding stepping stones and a music wall, amongst a million other things. Pinterest is keeping me busy this season But there are some pics on my FB of last years outdoor areas...

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.350599002472.154582.348397697472&type=3

[Lianne]

I'd like to add some non plastic items to my daycare outdoor space:

stepping stones in our play area, outdoor kitchen, and a painting surface attached to the fence for painting that I could just spray off with a hose.

Anyone have any of these that they could share how they have it set up or a photo?

Not sure if I should do the stepping stones different sizes or make a pattern or just a straight line to jump from one to the other.

The painting surface I was thinking plexiglass hung on the fence and then just hose off? I figured I could use all different products: Paint, shaving cream, pudding, etc that they could paint on.

The kitchen I was thinking of using my plastic little tikes kitchen we already have outside and getting a small picnic table and one of the sand tables for them to make 'cakes, cookies, etc with the sand. I'd have to use some kind of low border to keep this all contained. I don't want sand all over especially on the concrete.

I used a scrap of linoleum, hung on the fence, for painting. The kids paint directly on the linoleum and I just hose it off.

[annafaye1985]

Lianne

Love the idea for the outside easel does it have to be any certain type....

[Heidi]

Thanks for the ideas! Keep them comming please!

WI mom-the same things were on my list as yours. I was also thinking of a water-wall....wouldn't that be fun?

The only thing I am not sure about is how much water to provide them with. I can't have the hose running all day long, so I'd have to limit the refills somehow. You know what happens with toddlers and water....dump!

[Blackcat31]

Thanks for the ideas! Keep them comming please!

WI mom-the same things were on my list as yours. I was also thinking of a water-wall....wouldn't that be fun?

The only thing I am not sure about is how much water to provide them with. I can't have the hose running all day long, so I'd have to limit the refills somehow. You know what happens with toddlers and water....dump!

Awesome opportunity to learn about natural consequences.....when the water is gone so it the fun.

[Soccermom]

I'd like to add some non plastic items to my daycare outdoor space:

stepping stones in our play area, outdoor kitchen, and a painting surface attached to the fence for painting that I could just spray off with a hose.

Anyone have any of these that they could share how they have it set up or a photo?

Not sure if I should do the stepping stones different sizes or make a pattern or just a straight line to jump from one to the other.

The painting surface I was thinking plexiglass hung on the fence and then just hose off? I figured I could use all different products: Paint, shaving cream, pudding, etc that they could paint on.

The kitchen I was thinking of using my plastic little tikes kitchen we already have outside and getting a small picnic table and one of the sand tables for them to make 'cakes, cookies, etc with the sand. I'd have to use some kind of low border to keep this all contained. I don't want sand all over especially on the concrete.

I love the idea of creating an art space outdoors!! I don't have any paved surfaces so there is no area for the kids to chalk outdoors. I just let them chalk on my shed and foundation I am now thinking what about that chalkboard paint stuff? You could use a big piece of plywood and paint it with the chalkboard paint and hang it on the fence! Thanks for the great idea!

[Heidi]

I'd like to add some non plastic items to my daycare outdoor space:

stepping stones in our play area, outdoor kitchen, and a painting surface attached to the fence for painting that I could just spray off with a hose.

Anyone have any of these that they could share how they have it set up or a photo?

Not sure if I should do the stepping stones different sizes or make a pattern or just a straight line to jump from one to the other.

The painting surface I was thinking plexiglass hung on the fence and then just hose off? I figured I could use all different products: Paint, shaving cream, pudding, etc that they could paint on.

The kitchen I was thinking of using my plastic little tikes kitchen we already have outside and getting a small picnic table and one of the sand tables for them to make 'cakes, cookies, etc with the sand. I'd have to use some kind of low border to keep this all contained. I don't want sand all over especially on the concrete.

Hey WI Mom-are you going through FCCER's? If so...don't forget, shaving cream is a "keep out of reach of children"...don't use it during an observation.

Yep...a classic age old tradition, and you aren't supposed to do it...

It's funny...because most hand soap says the same thing, but I am pretty sure they want you to let the children wash their hands!

[itlw8]

I have many plans for this year thanks to pinterest. I want a mud kitchen, a music wall one of those water walls

I do have a large concrete wall the kids love to chalk on it. dh prefers we do the drive as it washes off faster in the rain.

I made a rain garden in a low wet place and a bridge over it. The kids love it and no more mud.

we have a tree that needs to come down I want to save several big logs to sit on for a camp area and maybe one to hammer nails into.

[Heidi]

Do you all have an end-of-day outdoor clean-up, or just leave it out for the next day?

My kiddos usually get picked up from outside, and I like the parents to see them having fun. So, either they don't get to see it, or I end up cleaning it up. Right now, I just do it myself every few days.

Also, if you have all these loose parts out there-mud kitchen, sand box, water run, water table, riding toys, and climbers, do you have any "centers" or defined areas? Mine like to use the sand toys in the water table, the water toys in the sand box, the sand toys to scoop up wood chips, etc. I don't have a problem with that, but it does leave the yard quite a sight...same as inside, they are still at the play-and-drop stage....

[countrymom]

well, I have my mud kitchen all lined up, I will make a water fall with hoses and bottles. Also, my raised garden will be fun. I like the idea of painting on linoleum, I use to tape a large paper to my outside wall and let them paint, but it would get on the siding too.

[melskids]

Do you all have an end-of-day outdoor clean-up, or just leave it out for the next day?

My kiddos usually get picked up from outside, and I like the parents to see them having fun. So, either they don't get to see it, or I end up cleaning it up. Right now, I just do it myself every few days.

Also, if you have all these loose parts out there-mud kitchen, sand box, water run, water table, riding toys, and climbers, do you have any "centers" or defined areas? Mine like to use the sand toys in the water table, the water toys in the sand box, the sand toys to scoop up wood chips, etc. I don't have a problem with that, but it does leave the yard quite a sight...same as inside, they are still at the play-and-drop stage....

My yard always looks like a tornado blew through! I don't bother cleaning up during the week, other then stuff that needs to come back in each night(like dress up clothes, prop boxes) then on Fridays I pay my boys toclean and reorganize the yard for the next week.

[Countrygal]

Hey WI Mom-are you going through FCCER's? If so...don't forget, shaving cream is a "keep out of reach of children"...don't use it during an observation.

Yep...a classic age old tradition, and you aren't supposed to do it...

It's funny...because most hand soap says the same thing, but I am pretty sure they want you to let the children wash their hands!

Actually, I was told to keep all soaps, shampoos, creme rinse, all health and beauty aides out of reach of children. Now how do I do that AND keep a pump bottle of soap for them to wash their hands as required? Sometimes the "rules" seem really not thought out. I just use them all under "appropriate" supervision. Now there's a really concrete term. One you can really get a grasp of.

Sorry, my day to be a b----

[WImom]

Hey WI Mom-are you going through FCCER's? If so...don't forget, shaving cream is a "keep out of reach of children"...don't use it during an observation.

Yep...a classic age old tradition, and you aren't supposed to do it...

It's funny...because most hand soap says the same thing, but I am pretty sure they want you to let the children wash their hands!

No I'm not going through FCCER. I don't take state paid so I decided not to sign up for youngstar either until it seems I'm forced to which at some point I'm sure I will be. Didn't know that about the shaving cream, I actually haven't used it in a few years so good to know. I guess coolwhip would be the same consistancy and smell better too but I think there would be more eating than painting in my group.