I confessed that I don’t get down and play with my kids all that often, but I do constantly facilitate and watch them play. One of the things I enjoy to do is help set up play scenes for the children. I was first inspired by this concept by Kate from Picklebums and I highly recommend this post from her: Imaginative Play at Home.
Fostering imaginative play is important to me as it’s evolving play: it starts with the building phase, then the play phase, and the play evolves with the environment. Plus, as a bonus, this sort of play lasts for days! This imaginative play scene is island inspired and below is how I put it together.
How to Make
A Desert Island play theme is a fun idea for the summer months. It was easy and inexpensive to set up. It can be used outside on the grass, under a patio/veranda or even inside (if you’re game) on a large towel.
Materials:
Large shallow rectangle box (I used an underbed storage box from Bunnings)
Round laundry bowl (you an also use a standard kitchen bowl — I purchased this from Bunnings)
20Kgs double washed sand (I purchased a bag from Bunnings)
Blue food colouring (optional)
Note: You only need a small amount so it’s very diluted and doesn’t seem to stain the kids hands or clothes
Washer or tea towel (I bought a $1 tea towel from Best & Less and cut out a rectangle)
Decoration items/toys
- Pebbles
- Shells
- Duplo palm tree (make your own palm tree by threading a large leaf on to a stick)
- Mermaids
- Pirates
- Rocks
- Boats
- Treasure box
- Barbies
Most of the materials we found around the house, however, because I want a large box dedicated for imaginative play scenes, I purchased a few of these items. The sand, the under bed box and laundry bowl came to a total of $30.
Step 1: The Island
Fill the round laundry bowl with sand and smooth to create the Island.
Step 2: The Sea
Place the Island into the underbed storage box and fill the box with water to the level of the laundry bowl. Add a little blue food colouring if desired.
Step 3: Create the Island
I cut up a cheap tea towel for a beach towel and used pebbles for a path. We used a Duplo palm tree to create the island look; or a large leaf on a stick does the trick.
Step 4: Add Toys
Here are some ideas: Barbie, mermaids, fish, sharks, boats.
Step 5: Play
This sort of water play is perfect for the summer months!
Step 6: Create
The best part of this sort of play is it evolves and grows as the kids use their imagination. Last time I checked, this is what their play looked like. I helped create the basics and the kids did the rest, including the leaf trees.
21 Comments
Christie
January 9, 2012 at 11:52 amI like this idea Kelly, I’m pretty sure I may be able to re-create it without purchasing anything new (which appeals to me greatly). Your photo is perfect, I’m so impressed.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 10, 2012 at 7:40 pmThanks Christie. Yes, most things are easy to find which is fantastic! I can’t wait to make another scene!
The Imperfect Housewife
January 9, 2012 at 12:27 pmWhat a fantastic idea!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 10, 2012 at 7:40 pmKids have been playing with it for days!
Nicole Grant
January 9, 2012 at 12:43 pmI love this type of play too. The other day I filled up a tub, complete with blue water, and the girls took their dollies for a swim. I have been trying to think of other types of water play, as it’s been so hot here lately. This is a great idea! Thanks Kell.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 10, 2012 at 7:41 pmNawww, that’s gorgeous Nic. It’s been SOOO hot.
Kellie @ Three Li'l Princesses
January 10, 2012 at 8:30 amI’m having a little giggle at myself, Kelly. I clicked over after seeing the title in my blogroll, which I thought read “mum imaginative play scene: desert island”. Not sure what I was expecting!! LOL!
I do love this though. I think Ella would have a ball. I swear her imagination is as high as it’s ever been at the moment. The stories she’s able to conjure up amaze me! 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 10, 2012 at 7:42 pmBAHA! Well now, I do think it would be a very good thing to make a life-sized version for myself!
Lorraine
January 10, 2012 at 9:12 amLove that so much thought and effort goes in to your Canon submission. Great photo and have just voted for you. Good luck!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 10, 2012 at 7:42 pmThank you so much Lorraine!
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JDaniel4's Mom
July 19, 2012 at 10:37 pmThis is such a fun way to explore water and pretend! Love it!
I would love for you to link this up to my Outside Play: Water link up!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
July 20, 2012 at 8:13 amSure. Will pop over now.
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June 23, 2015 at 11:35 pmWhat a brilliant idea thanks for sharing this! My water loving daughter would love to do this!