Imaginative

“When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero”

Fred Rogers

A child’s imagination is a very beautiful thing. A playspace is a powerful catalyst which has the potential to ignite children’s imaginations. From pirate ships and hidden treasure, under the sea adventures and historical shipwrecks to outback wonders and rainforest lookouts, the possibilities are endless. It is in the attention to detail where designers can inspire and engage the thriving imaginations of children. Details such as sand play elements, shop counters, hideaways and quiet nooks, use of graphics and thought-provoking elements strategically incorporated within main play units are just some of the ways to encourage a new dimension of play.

“I have fallen in love with the imagination. And if you fall in love with the imagination, you understand it is a free spirit. It will go anywhere, it can do anything”

Alice Walker

Play is a fundamental component of learning. Through play children can exchange money in the form of leaves and gumnuts for a delicious mud pie, coordinate a sailing adventure on the high seas or plan an action-packed mission through the rainforest. What an amazing way to develop mathematical understanding, engage in oral language and problem-solving skills!

Why Imaginative?

A child’s imagination is a very beautiful thing. Child Psychologist Sally Goddard Blythe states “Put simply, imagination is the ability to create visual images in the mind’s eye, which allows us to explore all sorts of images and ideas without being constrained by the limits of the physical world. This is how children begin to develop problem-solving skills, coming up with new possibilities, new ways of seeing and being, which develop important faculties in critical thinking that will help the child throughout life.”

What elements create an Imaginative Playspace?

The possibilities are endless when designing a playspace that ignites children’s imaginations. The more connections children can create throughout their imaginative play the richer their play experience will be. Imaginative design calls for us to create something different, something children may not have seen before; which therefore calls children to investigate further and dive into their limitless imaginations. Imaginative playspace design demands a big list of ingredients that can be combined in creative ways to cook up a storm of imaginative masterpieces. A balance between quiet nooks and hidey holes, dynamic play elements, traditional elements such as slides and swings and visually engaging elements such as Graphic panels; all essential ingredients for an imaginative adventure. Variety in undulation and use of different textures, incorporation of natural elements and organisation of a playspace to create atmosphere are also conducive to rich imaginative play experiences.

Imaginative with Active Discovery

Active Discovery are passionate and highly skilled in imaginative design. Inspirational projects that engage and capture children’s imaginations include Amberton Beach Playspace, Cemetery Beach Playspace, Sykes Foreshore Playspace, Fitzroy Crossing Playspace and Queens Gardens Playspace. We also use custom graphics to engage children and encourage them to develop connections with a playspace. For example the custom Graphic Jeep & Boat that was created from artwork by local indigenous children and their elders. This piece allows children to connect with culturally significant activities such as fishing for Barramundi in the local Fitzroy River. Imaginative play, rich with oral language, negotiation, conversations, planning and questioning evolves on a daily basis at the Fitzroy Crossing Playspace. It is not uncommon to hear the kids warning each other of the BIG local Croc that lingers close by (check out the images of this playspace, you will see what they are talking about!) The Active Discovery team LOVE imaginative playspace design, we can help get your creative juices flowing!!