Expert advice from Ashleigh Mugridge, Teacher / EY Specialist, Forest School Teacher, Mum of 3, and Author of 'Play Wildly MORE' Substack.
In partnership with The Den Kit Co
Spring is here, and with it comes longer days, warmer weather, and that irresistible pull to get outside and explore. Whether it's the Easter holidays, half term adventures, or simply making the most of your garden after a long winter, now is the perfect time to create magical outdoor play spaces for your little ones.
We sat down with Ashleigh Mugridge, Early Years Specialist, Forest School Leader, and mum of three, to get her expert advice on transforming ordinary outdoor spaces into extraordinary adventures.
(If you missed our recent blog on spring garden safety, check out Spring into Safer Play: Supporting Confident Outdoor Adventures This Season for more tips on preparing your outdoor space.)
What Does "Adventure" Really Mean for Little Ones?
Adventure in the early years is about learning to explore the world around you and building important life skills such as curiosity, imagination, and confidence.
The first step? Get down to their level. What can they see and touch? What captures their attention?
Do they notice little ants running along the cracked paving? How does the wet grass feel when they pull at it? Or what happens when they throw those pinecones?
This will vary by age and stage, but it provides a starting point for offering exciting play experiences, both in your own outdoor space and while you're out and about.
Key takeaway: See the outside world as an extension of indoor play, filled with opportunities to create awe and wonder!
Why Outdoor Play Matters
We've all felt the power of being outside, and it's the same for our children. Spending time in fresh air and natural environments does wonders for emotional wellbeing, gives us vitamin D (something most of us lack in the UK!), and, for children especially, helps boost immune systems.
But deeper than this, it provides an antidote to our busy, fast-paced lives. In a world that encourages us to rush, scroll and need constant stimulation, spending time outdoors reminds us to slow down and notice small things.
The Physical Benefits
Young children need space and freedom to move, and outdoor play allows everything to happen on a bigger scale. Activities performed on a small scale indoors can expand, allowing children to develop and challenge different muscles and skills.
Gross motor development happens when children move their bodies on a large scale. Think:
-
Monkey bars for building shoulder muscles
-
Sweeping the patio to develop upper arm strength
-
Drawing with chalk in huge circles to strengthen arm movements
All of this outdoor movement supports essential physical development.
Making Outdoor Time Feel Like an Adventure
The simplest way? Lower your expectations and start small.
Children don't need big outings or fancy equipment. They benefit most from quality time with you, so just getting outside together is a great first step!
Give your child the lead, stop and notice the things that catch their interest, and go at their pace. Children often pick up on the smallest details or are interested in things we wouldn't even notice!
Ashleigh's tip: Pack a snack and a hot drink and get out of that door! Adventure is simply about slowing down and exploring together.
Balancing Freedom and Risk
Teaching Risk Awareness
By using positive phrases rather than always "stop" or "no", you can help children develop their own awareness of what's safe and what their bodies can manage.
Try phrases like:
-
"We hold hands to cross roads."
-
"How does that feel for you? Is it wobbly or slippery?"
-
"Do you notice that...?"
This helps you refrain from always jumping in with "be careful". Instead, you're giving them tools to start making risk assessments themselves, and even really young children can begin building this self-awareness.
Starting from where you are comfortable is key. For your child to be confident exploring, they need to see that you're confident in them, they can pick up on our wariness!
When it comes to outdoor safety, having the right gear makes all the difference. Slipfree non-slip shoes give little feet the grip they need on slippery surfaces like wet grass, muddy paths, and garden decking, so you can feel more confident letting them explore. And for adults chasing after adventurous explorers, having a proper grip means you can keep up without the worry!
Ashleigh's tip: Feel more prepared by putting together a handy little kit with wet wipes and a simple first aid kit (fun plasters and antiseptic cream) so you feel ready for all eventualities.
"My Garden is Boring" - Think Again!
Sometimes, just relocating play can be instantly more exciting. Start by moving activities you usually do inside to an outside location, often this means a lot less mess for you to manage!
-
Quick breakfast outside in the spring sunshine, no highchair clean-up!
-
Pasta in a tray with pans and utensils for filling and transferring
Join in With Everyday Tasks
If you find it tricky to get down and play, incorporate 'play' into everyday activities you're already doing:
-
Hanging up the washing (using pegs, sorting)
-
Cleaning windows with spray bottles and cloths
-
Watering plants or sweeping outside
Children are natural-born helpers. Joining in with your 'mundane' jobs strengthens their motivation, self-esteem, and purpose, while creating moments of connection.
Spring Adventure Ideas
Spring is perfect for outdoor play, warmer, lighter, with more time to explore!
At Home? Try These:
Water Play - A simple bowl of water with brushes and utensils. Pop some Slipfree shoes on little feet before they start splashing, wet paving can get slippery fast!
Creative Expression
-
Cardboard canvas with water or paint
-
Paint in puddles with chalks (wet chalk creates vibrant colours!)
Active Play - Hopscotch, building ramps for vehicles, and reading outside in your new den
Out and About? Try These:
-
Balancing on logs, climbing at the park - Activities like these are brilliant for building confidence, but they do come with slips and wobbles! Slipfree shoes are designed to give little feet extra grip on smooth or wet surfaces, so they can focus on the fun.
-
Create a simple explorer's bag - magnifying glass, bug pot, notepad, pens, Slipfree for safer barefoot feel play
Scavenger hunt - draw things you'll encounter on your walk (seagull, pebble, leaf, cone) -
Pack a picnic and choose a new spot to share it - whether it's under a tree or inside a Den Kit Co hideaway you've set up in the garden!
Kite flying -
Painting pebbles at the beach
These activities boost observation skills, sensory development, social skills, and gross and fine motor development!
Turning Garden Elements Into Adventure Zones
With a few simple, cheap resources, your garden becomes an exciting play space:
Cardboard boxes - Dens, cosy reading spaces, pirate ships, pretend shops
Mud kitchens - Use old pans and crockery with planks across bricks or an old crate to create a 'worktop'. This is where Slipfree shoes really come into their own, muddy water + paving stones = slippery chaos without the right footwear!
Natural resources - Collect pinecones for shop items, leaves and petals for potions, sticks for magic wands, or small world play
Fabric & bedsheets - Keep old ones for outdoor dens without worrying about mess. Bring out soft toys for picnics or alongside favourite books
Den-building tip: If you want to skip the DIY and go straight to the magic, The Den Kit Co kits are quick and easy to put up, allowing you to create sturdy hideaways in minutes, that work indoors or out. They're brilliant for Easter holidays when you need activities that keep little ones engaged for hours, perfect for reading nooks, imagination stations, or secret snack spots!
Safety Essentials for Garden Play
Quick Garden Check
Before your child explores freely, quickly check for:
-
Animal poo
-
Litter or sharp objects
Embrace Sensory Exploration (Within Reason!)
Babies and toddlers put things in their mouths; it's how they develop! Don't worry too much if they eat a little soil or gnaw a stick (it's actually good for their gut microbiome). Just check soil for big clods and small stones.
Getting the Right Gear
Try charity shops and Vinted for second-hand outdoor clothing that stands the test of time!
Footwear Matters
Barefoot play is brilliant for developing feet, but UK weather usually means footwear is needed.
Barefoot-type shoes or Slipfree non-slip shoes are perfect for outdoor play, especially on slippery surfaces like decking, wet stones, muddy paths, and garden grass after rain.
Whether balancing on logs, splashing in puddles, exploring the mud kitchen, or running in and out of their Den Kit Co hideaway, Slipfree shoes offer grip and protection without restricting natural movement, so they can adventure with confidence.
Parents love them too! Check out our adult range for keeping up with your little explorers, because chasing toddlers on wet grass requires proper grip!
Final Words of Encouragement
You don't need a Pinterest-perfect garden or a week-long itinerary.
What you need is:
-
A willingness to get outside
-
Permission to let things be messy
-
Trust that your child will lead the way
The magic of outdoor play isn't in the equipment, it's in the curiosity, the connection, and the freedom to explore.
So this spring, give yourself (and your little ones) permission to slow down, get muddy, build a den, and see the world through their eyes.
About Our Expert
This blog was created in collaboration with Ashleigh Mugridge, Teacher / Early Years Specialist, Forest School Teacher, Mum of 3, and Author of 'Play Wildly MORE'.
Now on Mat leave with her youngest, Ashleigh writes a monthly nature blog, ‘A Year in Play' (published monthly on substack) that reminds us to lean into the seasons with our little ones. She also regularly shares ideas, prompts, and activities on her Instagram page.
Join the Adventure!
Feeling inspired to get outside? We're teaming up with The Den Kit Co and Plum Play for a special Spring Adventures Giveaway on Instagram! Head along and follow all 3 brands for a chance to win the ultimate outdoor play bundle, worth over £500!
Ready to gear up for spring play?
🌱 Shop Kids Slipfree Shoes for muddy puddles, slippery surfaces, and confident exploring
🌱 Shop Adult Slipfree Shoes because parents need grip too!
🌱 Explore The Den Kit Co for magical, easy-to-assemble den-building essentials
Here's to spring adventures, muddy knees, and making memories outdoors! 🌱
Rainy day sent you inside? Check out our printable Easter Activity Sheets here.
