Day 281: their secret hideout

We have yet to finish the garden (compost/top soil should be delivered very soon!) or completely set up the mud kitchen (just not quite warm enough for muddy kiddos) BUT I did do some trimming and cleaning up of the girls new secret hideout. Well, really right now it is mainly for Sam, Avery seems very hesitant about going back there but Sam is very excited to have a new spot to play.

 
I trimmed back a little tunnel between two bushes so that she could have a fun little entrance.

 
I did a TON of trimming of the low branches from these trees but once I got in there I quickly realized that most of it was dead anyway. So no harm to the tree, for those of you that were concerned!

Here Sam is hanging out "collecting" in her new spot. I was quickly told it was not a spot for mommies.

I was hoping to get some good tree stump type logs for the girls to use as seats but didn't want to buy them and couldn't find any around our backyard so I used what I could find. An old railroad tie and a few big rocks. Sam has discovered she can roll the rocks around by pushing them with her feet. Once they get settled in I am thinking this will be a great for her to catch all kinds of critters.

We have been out enjoying this new space quite a bit the last few days and I am hoping to be out there more while the mosquitoes are still not around. I am worried that in a few more weeks they will be running us out of this area! But we will see.

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The Nitty Gritty!

If you need some good ideas for more natural outdoor play spaces there is a great link-up (giant list of ideas!) over at Child Central Station. She has some amazing ideas and a lot of other sites have linked up as well. Head over there and check it out. Outdoor Classroom Inspiration

Comments

[Nature Trails and Nature Tales]

great little hideaway. My girls love their hideout they play, read and create art there. Oh and talk to fairies :)

[Frances]

This looks great. At Nana's house there is a weeping birch with a huge hidden space under it...too bad it's so far away! I'm planning a secret spot for the boy under the edge of the deck, though, with stepping stones so he can hide out behind the clematis. Grownups will only fit bent over but it'll be just right for him. Making do in a small space...