Designing an imaginary playground!

My favourite places in the neighbourhood are the parks and playgrounds. Are they yours too? 

Today we are going to learn about playgrounds and make an imaginary playground!!!!

We read this book in September, but it shows a lot of the equipment and structures that are in playgrounds.  It is called Please Play Safe: Penguins Guide to Playground Safety by Margery Cuyler.

 
What different structures are in playgrounds? Can you think of any that were not in the book? What is your favourite thing to do in a playground? Think about the different playgrounds that you go to -- Earl Beatty has 3 playgrounds (2 at the front and then 1 at the back), and you might also go to East Lynn Park or to Monarch Park - or other playgrounds. 

 

Let's build an imaginary playground!
 

   (Thank you to Art With Jenny for the images!

What you need:

•  paper for the base -  construction paper (9x12 ish) will be great! But if you only have white paper, that will be fine.  I used card stock because my construction paper is all at school!
• strips of coloured paper.  If you don't have coloured paper, colour some paper and then cut it into strips. These should be about 1/4 to 1" wide (about 1-3cm) and a variety of lengths. (Parents, please cut the strips for this activity!)
• glue (or tape)
• scissors -- or just tear the paper! 

If you could build your own playground what would it look like?
First, lets think about what you would like in your playground. My favourite thing is the big circular thing that spins around and around! I also like swings and slides. Be creative! You might want tunnels! or large play structures or paths, or sandpits! You can plan your playground in your head, or draw a picture.

I'm going to build my slide first. I had to bend the paper to make the steps. Parents - please show your child how to make this accordion / zig zag fold!  To glue it to the"ground" you need to bend some little "tabs", or glue some extra tabs on (see the circle tab, below. Then you have to put a bit of glue on the tab (TINY dots not lots) and hold it to the "ground". Press and hold while you count to 10. If you are using glue stick, rub some glue on both surfaces and it will stick MUCH better. 

 

I'm still working on mine, but it is time for you to make yours!