The First School fundraiser for the Nature Play Space was a big success and workers from Natural State Treehouses have been busy creating this new area for children to explore, learn and play outdoors.

The play space is made up of different play zones and many items needed to complete them. If you are able to donate any of the below listed items, please bring them to the church. If you have any questions, contact Cathy Hairston (chairston@fupcfay.org)

Sound Garden Play Zone:  a space for sound exploration for children to explore pitch, tempo, dynamics, and rhythm using upcycled materials such as pots, pans, bells, chimes, wash boards or bumpy metal, cymbals, gongs, xylophone, hollow gourds or container, wooden spoons or drumsticks.  Large, galvanized tubs for drums.  Use your imagination on what would make an interesting sound.  The sound garden will have a side for toddlers and a side for big kids.

Mud Kitchen Play Zone: spaces designed for pretend cooking, mixing concoctions, experiments, and transformation.  Again, upcycled (used or new) items like galvanized tubs, wooden, bamboo, or metal bowls, plates, & cups.  Pots, pans, cookie sheets, muffin tins, colanders, strainers, bread, cake, pie pans, buckets, utensils for whisking, stirring.  Old eggbeaters or mortar and pestle.  Wooden crates, sturdy low wooden tables.  Our goal is to steer away from primary colored plastic items and use more natural elements.

Small World Play Zone:  imaginative play experiences in miniature like fairy gardens, wooden dollhouses.  low containers like large plastic or clay saucers, oil pan, serving tray, wooden barrel, boot tray.   Shells, sea glass, acorns, cinnamon sticks, driftwood, wooden sewing spools, tiles, interesting wood or rocks.  Moss, reindeer moss, seed pods, birch wood, rosemary plant, etc.

Construction Play Zone:  a space for digging – Tonka trucks, bags of pebbles, etc also for building real and imaginary structures with planks of wood (sanded smooth), ramps, milk crates, corrugated, tires, tree trunks, sturdy wooden crates, mini sawhorses, wooden shelves, wine racks.  For ramps and tunnels – black corrugated drainage pipes, PVC pipes 4-6 inches diameter 6, 9, 12 inches long, wooden ramps, whiffle balls, wool dryer balls for the littles.

Cozy Space Play Zone:  wooden platforms, outdoor couch, weatherproof cushions, pillows, outdoor rugs.

For a look at a detailed diagram of the space, click here. The First School Commission thanks you for your support!