Tips for Outdoor Loose Parts?

[LittleScholars]

I'm finally collecting natural loose parts (thin logs, etc.). My husband thinks I'm insane. He thinks they are all going to rot and quickly be a mess.

Tips for creating and maintaining a nice collection of outdoor materials? Has anyone had an issue with these things attracting more ticks?

I should mention that I live in the most suburban area ever. I am not exaggerating when I say I don't have a single rock left to find in my yard. I have to actively seek out these materials and bring them in.

[Mom2Two]

Oh, I thought this was going to be a thread about the washers and screws that manage to come off swing sets and scooters in the back yard. I actually have a problem with that.

Can you grow a tree? They just shed loose natural parts like crazy.

[kendallina]

We live in a pretty 'naturey' area anyways, but I did add in several logs and stumps several years ago and the children LOVE them! They build campfires with them, set them up as an obstacle course, make see saws from them and even just like carrying them around. They're heavy (ish) and it's really good for them on so many levels to participate in this kind of play!

Didn't answer your question... we don't have much organization to them. When we clean up they have a space near our fence where we put them.

You can also get a kids wheelbarrow and they'll love wheeling them around.

[Cat Herder]

I am over here looking like this because I live bordering a national forest on a fully forested large property with springs, creeks, trails and a river and I will get cited if I leave any sticks, rocks or "lawn debris" on the ground on the playground. My DCK's cannot leave the fenced/maintained area without a permission form and extra adults as chaperones.

I literally must spend 15 minutes each morning, before kids arrival, raking up any dropped pine cones, twigs, acorns, pine needles or astray river stone that occasionally creeps it's way to the surface.

And there are other providers who are encouraged to cart the stuff in. Crazy making. ::

[Mom2Two]

I will get cited if I leave any sticks, rocks or "lawn debris" on the ground on the playground. My DCK's cannot leave the fenced/maintained area without a permission form and extra adults as chaperones.

I literally must spend 15 minutes each morning, before kids arrival, raking up any dropped pine cones, twigs, acorns, pine needles or astray river stone that occasionally creeps it's way to the surface.

For outdoors, we are required to "actively watch" the kids. How in heck do you rid the whole, great outdoors of all choking hazards?

[AmyKidsCo]

I am over here looking like this because I live bordering a national forest on a fully forested large property with springs, creeks, trails and a river and I will get cited if I leave any sticks, rocks or "lawn debris" on the ground on the playground. My DCK's cannot leave the fenced/maintained area without a permission form and extra adults as chaperones.

I literally must spend 15 minutes each morning, before kids arrival, raking up any dropped pine cones, twigs, acorns, pine needles or astray river stone that occasionally creeps it's way to the surface.

And there are other providers who are encouraged to cart the stuff in. Crazy making. ::

That's nuts.

And the reason for that is... ???

[Cat Herder]

That's nuts.

And the reason for that is... ???

My lawmakers live in the city.

[Cat Herder]

For outdoors, we are required to "actively watch" the kids. How in heck do you rid the whole, great outdoors of all choking hazards?

Raking.

Lot's of raking.

And a fence within a fence.

Oh, and lots of raking. ::

Don't forget trip/fall hazards.

And raking.

I am basically the lady from the old American Gothic painting. The one with the rake.

[Mom2Two]

I am sure that we can all rest easier, knowing that your yard is rid of those...those...deadly pinecones. ::

[Cat Herder]

I am sure that we can all rest easier, knowing that your yard is rid of those...those...deadly pinecones. ::

Yep.

And QRIS had me move them into the playroom, instead.

You know, in the nature and science center. For tactile learning.

The nature center for indoors.

Sometimes if I don't laugh at the crazy over-regulation, I just might cry.

[Cat Herder]

Oh, and now they'd like for us to have play kitchens and classrooms outside.

It would be so cool if I could just leave outside outside and inside inside.

[AmyKidsCo]

Oh, and now they'd like for us to have play kitchens and classrooms outside.

It would be so cool if I could just leave outside outside and inside inside.

Having learning centers outside is a big thing here too. It looks great in photos but whenever I've tried it the kiddos have participated for a couple of minutes, then they run off to PLAY.

[CalCare]

I have driftwood from the beach, a big palm frond base, and various things in plastic "milk crate" like bins and they fit under the overhang of the roof, just well enough to keep then from becoming a soaking disaster zone when it rains. I have other shelving for sand toys and trucks but those do all get wet in the constant rain we've been having. I think it's ok if these things get a bit wet. I'd rather that, than keeping them enclosed somewhere where the black widows will move in. I mean, here where I am, black widows really do move into any well hidden closed up space. So, that's no bueno for childcare!

[Ariana]

Oh Catherder the irony!! ::

I think that the best thing you can do is keep this stuff outside to prolong its life. I know that sounds crazy but we brought 4 huge stumps inside our garage one winter because we moved and they got full of bugs. They were outside the winter before and did fine. I currently have logs and kept them outside this winter. They are great for the kids when they go hunting for worms. Worms love to live under stumps and logs! As for ticks I don’t worry too much about it. I also live in suburban wasteland and have never actually seen a tick and I do kid checks every day in the summer for them. My dog also. We have a blue spruce tree which produces oodles of cones and a maple and serviceberry that produces flowers and leaves. I also grow a wildflower and lavendar garden which I cut the blooms for the kids. Any kind of plant that requires clipping to produce more blooms is ideal. I have a mud kitchen with real pots, pans and ladles and spoons etc and keep the water table filled with fresh water daily for them to mix and play in. We get very dirty! I also have a pallet that I put on the ground for them to pretend with. It can be a boat, a stage, balance beam etc. There are some natural loose parts you can get on Amazon or Michaels as well, just do a search to get ideas. Pinterest can be good as well.

I am not licensed thankfully so the more bugs and nature the better!

[Josiegirl]

Yep.

And QRIS had me move them into the playroom, instead.

You know, in the nature and science center. For tactile learning.

The nature center for indoors.

Sometimes if I don't laugh at the crazy over-regulation, I just might cry.

Hahaha insanity.
I love the idea of bringing nature inside but doesn't one benefit from nature outside while also getting fresh air, room to move, etc., etc. Absolutely ridiculous.