Modernising the humble backyard cubbyHOME

CUBBY LOVE

The recent restrictions have led to a revival of the humble backyard cubby. But what goes into creating a modern, eco-friendly nature play space?

Thanks to COVID-19, the backyard play space has had a huge resurgence. In the last few months, many families have introduced cubbies, nature play spaces and climbing equipment to their outdoor living, providing kids with an essential space to explore, imagine and play at home.

“We’ve found that we had an increase in cubbies and domestic backyards, since COVID-19 hit,” says George Davidson from GDL Nature Play Spaces. “Whether it's a tree house on acreage, or a small cubby in the city, families are now more focused on creating a play space at home.”

But what is it about the humble backyard cubby that kids love so much?

“A cubby is their own little place, somewhere different from their bedroom,” says George. “They can hide in there, make it into what they really want to, they can let their imagination run wild.”

With no electronics and the fact that kids can make a mess without a worry, parents love them too. However, forget the 1990’s plastic play house. The cubby of 2020 is sustainable, aesthetically designed and comes with plenty of blended nature play options.

“Our cubbies and play areas are all nature based,” explains George. “We use rustic timbers, natural shapes, and materials that are in harmony with the area.”

“Coming from a landscaping background we integrate the play area as an entire space, with corners to explore and sensory paths that connect various nooks, so everything flows. We use trees for shade, natural elements for climbing, so the cubby or play space blends seamlessly into the backyard.”

“Rather than off the shelf designs, we build to the area, to ensure we create a backyard play space that is aesthetically appealing, that adds value to the property, and will grow and change with the children as they get bigger, so the family gets value for money from the build.”

“Sometimes it’s not a cubby, it might

Combine gross motor skills with

just be adding in a few balance items, some sensory areas, or setting up a veggie garden. It’s the blend of landscaping, nature play and exploration that I think makes a truly imaginative play Credit: Flipside Circus successful outdoor play space.”

PLAY ON A BIGGER SCALE GDL play spaces are popping up all over Southeast Queensland, with many daycares and primary schools utilising the blend of landscaping and nature play to create the perfect outdoor space for kids at school.

“We recently put in a nature play space at Sunshine Beach State School,” explains George. “The school had an unused area next to their permaculture garden and their bush kindy, so they wanted something with a natural setting to link in with the existing bush kindy setup.”

The redeveloped space included a creek bed to teach kids about conservation, a nature play space and balance feature. As well as being a wonderful space for the bush kindy, the school also utilises it for education purposes, with the Preps and early primary classes using it as part of their outdoor education.

“The space is used for imaginative play, story time, gross motor skills, playgroup, and a meeting place for parents to sit and connect,” explains Maree Thomson from Sunshine Beach State School. “We specifically wanted a nature play space to connect the children with nature, and flow into our permaculture garden. It’s a wonderful

Rustic timbers and natural elements work in harmony with the area

space for their wellbeing, creativity and imagination, plus including the indigenous perspective with the yarning circle.”

“The kids love the water riverbed, stepping logs, weaving in and out of the tree trunks and playing in the tepee. With so many areas that lead to imaginative play, it’s wonderful to watch them enjoy it!” says Maree.

“We love that the kids can get wet and use the riverbed to float boats and problem solve when building dams. The yarning circle is also a lovely place to read stories.”

“It wasn’t a big project, but just by coming into a space, changing levels and adding certain features, we can make a huge difference,” says George. “Simple things such as how grasses are positioned can create flow in a natural space, so we feel it's important to focus heavily on the plants, choosing plants that will really make the space work and that will grow and morph the space over time.”

“As our spaces are becoming more popular across the whole of Southeast Queensland, we are also now expanding our services for both commercial and domestic builds where we design the playspace and construct any features – such as balance structures, teepees, cubbies – then deliver everything flat-packed, saving the customer the cost of us coming out to install. As a one-stop shop we can do everything as one project.” To find out more about GDL nature play spaces, visit gdlnatureplayspaces.com.au

For all your play space needs

• Custom cubbies • Nature inspired • play spaces • Landscaping • Domestic and commercial • Affordable • Nature playground product range • Concept to construction

Our nature inspired play spaces and landscaping: • incorporate natural materials and elements such as water, sound, movement and balance • encourage unstructured, adventurous open ended play, exploration and experimentation in a natural outdoor setting • develop physical awareness along with fine and gross motor skills • build confidence • enhance the imagination and inspire self-designed play, creativity, learning and socialising

Request a consultation