Drain Pipes

Often the value of enabling children to play with natural materials is forgotten in a world where we have such a variety of, often expensive, toys. This afternoon our garden play session reminded me of the value of natural objects in encouraging the children to question what they can do with these things. 

Banging the pipe to make noise

Jumping over the pipe

Balancing a ball on top

Attempting to stand the pipe up

Flowing water down the pipe

Children aged from one to six years of age chose to play with the pipes at some point during this afternoon and, as demonstrated above, they all came up with a different purpose for the pipe and demonstrated that natural curiosity that comes from having open ended resources.