Dens

The warmer days and longer evenings invite much more outdoor play, and even overnight camping in the holidays!
Most of us (hopefully!) will have a treasured memory of camping when we were children, and often this memory will outlast many other more expensive holidays perhaps. The excitement of sleeping outside – even if it’s just in the back yard! -all the different noises, smells and different activities that can occur, is a magical time for young children and adults!

Another popular year round activity, especially outdoors in warmer months, is making dens. Every child has experienced making a den – whether it was made out of branches and bushes in a forest, a few cardboard boxes, grass clippings on a lawn , or indoors with two chairs and a blanket. These private spaces are important  because they provide perceived privacy and independence for children, who are constantly under adult supervision.

The adult’s role is to provide the materials for chidlren to build these special places and to give them the time and space to play in them.The adult needs to learn when to observe from a distance and when to become involved ie when children invite the adult to join in, or when you feel they need support to get play started.

Outdoor Dens:

Plant shrubs, hedges, small trees or tall grasses to create natural den spaces. A willow is a very versatile  and reasonably priced plant that can be sculptured into many different shapes. A bamboo circle is a very sensorial space suitable for all ages. The bamboo majes soothing fascinating sounds and is a place where children can feel hidden from view but can see through to the outside.

Examples of these outdoor dens can be seen in the Early Childhood Ireland Garden of Possibilities dvd and booklet which is only €6 for members!

Dens can also be created outside by using blankets over a rope between two trees, an old tent, cardboard boxes, branches and ferns against a tree trunk, and old tarpaulins. Bales of straw or hay could also be used, depending on availability -just be very careful when designing the structure, to ensure it’s safe and assess the potential hazards.

Big blocks, crates and planks, or clothes horses and blankets allows both boys and girls to engage in ‘home building’ as well as home keeping.

Indoor dens

Busy environments with lots going on can be overwhelming for small children. Some children will want to completely keep out the chaos around,  while others might want a cosy snug that still allows them to view whats going on. With children’s different needs in mind provide an array of different materials in order to make indoor dens:

• Provide a range of different fabrics and materials to make indoor dens, both opaque and see through ones, so that those children who want to still watch whats going on can do so.

• If space allows, small pop-up tents also work as cosy spaces indoors as well as out and are easy enough to move around.

• Blankets and cushions are also essential and different soft textures help create cosy spaces

Books

• The Three Little Pigs
• The House that Jack built – by Liz Underhill
• Camping Out – by Heather Amery and Stephen Cartright
• Little Yellow Digger – by Nicola Baxter

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