I would love to share with you our patio outside set up for play on a budget. Free open-ended play is one of the most essential aspects of the child’s growth and development. They take control of their discoveries, they learn to transform into reality their thoughts and their dreams through their environment. Everything I do for my child at home is driven by the principles of the Montessori philosophy. I also get an incredible amount of inspiration from Reggio’s pedagogy. I created this outside open-ended play set up with a few goals in mind:
– encourage my child to spend more time outside
– create space that reflects her interests
– nature-driven and centered
– allows messy play
– encourages open-ended play
– easy to set up
The majority of our outside play setup materials are second-hand find. Here is what we’ve got:
activity table: play-dough, craft, drawing, puzzles, etc.
reading corner with a reading nook
blanket for play with LEGO / soft toys/dress-ups
nature play area
sensory/sand/water play area with a wooden garden bed transferred into a sandpit area.
easel for painting and drawing.
It is also very important to encourage the child to do gross motor activities.
Resources for hands on learning
About Anastasia | Anastasia is an early childhood teacher with over twenty years of experience spanning Montessori classrooms and homeschooling environments. Holding a Master’s in Information Science, she uniquely bridges the worlds of education and information design—bringing clarity, organization, and research-backed structure to every resource she creates. As the founder of Montessori Nature, Anastasia develops evidence-based, nature-inspired educational printables that support holistic child development. Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering curiosity, independence, and a love for learning through thoughtfully designed materials. Explore more of her resources on her blog and Teachers Pay Teachers store.
