Bringing the Magic of Winter into Play Spaces
Winter is just around the corner, and it brings with it a sense of calm, coziness, and wonder. As an Early Childhood Consultant and someone who’s deeply passionate about creating nurturing and low-tox play spaces, I love this time of year. It offers a beautiful opportunity to refresh our play environments and reflect the seasonal changes happening in nature.
1. Winter Small World Play – With an Aussie Twist
Creating small world play scenes is one of my favourite ways to bring the season into play. Here in Australia, our winters look a little different—misty mornings, gum trees, earthy tones, and gentle bushland vibes. Incorporate elements like felted play mats in natural hues, wooden Australian animals, gumnuts, and sticks collected on a nature walk. These open-ended setups invite children into storytelling, sensory exploration, and imaginative adventures—all while feeling connected to the land they live on.
2. The Winter Season Table – A Calm Corner of Nature
A winter season table can be a beautiful way to honour the changes in our natural world. It might include bark, pinecones, winter foliage, crystals, or even a candle to represent the warmth we crave during the cooler months. Children are naturally drawn to these spaces, often pausing to look, touch, and wonder. It's a quiet corner that brings rhythm and meaning to the season—a space that encourages mindfulness, observation, and connection.
3. Thoughtful Resources to Inspire Play
If you’re looking to create a beautiful winter atmosphere in your play spaces, I’ve carefully selected a range of seasonal resources that are now available on the website. Each piece is low-tox, sustainable, and designed to support open-ended play. From wooden animals to felt landscapes and hand-crafted décor, these items make it easy to bring the spirit of winter into your home or early childhood setting.
Let’s create spaces that nurture, inspire, and invite children into magical play this winter.