“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” - Adding Murals to our Inside Spaces

I really wanted to create a unique and special environment for my students to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of each play center. To feel fully inspired and creative to learn, explore and discover. One of the ways I set to accomplish this was to paint a mural in the different play areas. A total of three murals now reside in the indoor play areas, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the atmosphere it has helped create.

The first of the three murals was inspired by one of my favorite children’s books, “The Buried Moon”. The book is about the moon deciding one night that she had to see the world for herself, and climbed out of the sky to discover it. I decided to paint one of my favorite scenes from the book of abstract mountains, nestled behind a field of mushrooms and tall grass. I added a woman walking through the scene, to act as the moon character from the book. It’s a perfect addition the the bathroom waiting area, for kids to sit and wait for their turn to go potty. 

The second mural, a sleepy jungle scene, sits on the back wall of the quiet room. A tiger, a monkey, and a sloth overlook the mindfulness and library area, creating a solo thing scene for a peaceful atmosphere where students can relax and navigate their many emotions. 

The third and final mural sits in the background of the dramatic play area, a city scene as a backdrop for the farmers market, dress up, kitchen, and tool/workstation areas, where students can feel immersed in the hustle and bustle of a real city. 

I couldn’t be happier with how these murals ended up compliment each center, while tying the entire daycare together as one. As you step into each space, experiencing each unique atmosphere. 

DIY A-Frame Playhouse

There’s a quote up on my wall that says, “This will be as hard as it is beautiful.” I like it because it’s a wonderful reminder that some of the things that we work the hardest for in life, are also, often, the most beautiful. It’s also a great way to describe this project. 

As excited as I was to create this dramatic play area outside for the kiddos, I wasn’t exactly sure where to start. I’ve always loved building things, but have never embarked on such a large project. I was lucky enough to have some help from my partner, and a family friend who has been a contractor his whole life, building houses from the ground up, who was generous to walk me through it. 

I love including families in the projects I do here at the daycare, and am so excited to share this process and journey with you.  

I had my heart set on a playhouse that was also large enough for me to comfortably be in and interact with my students. So I decided to make the structure 8 feet tall, so I would be able to easily stand and move around.  

I started by building an 8x8 foot platform. There’s a lot of different ways to do this, but, wanting to insure extra safety, I went for the over kill option, with 8 footings made of 6x6 inch beams, cemented into the ground, to hold up the platform, built as one would build a deck. 

After screwing in the boards, I started work constructing the frame. I cut and bolted 4 beams in place on each side of the platform, to form the a-frame wall structures, with a ridge beam in the middle. I then cut cross beams that were placed on the top, beneath the ridge, for additional support.

Adding cross braces between each beam also helped make the structure a bit more sturdy. Once we had the frame in place, it was time to build the walls. 

I really wanted to maximize the space by making one of the outside walls a climbing area, so I decided to go with plywood as the material for the roof/walls, to create a basic climbing space. I painted each board with a deep black exterior paint. I love the way dark colors look with the seasons. Complimenting each other with a particularly gorgeous contrast in the fall and winter, with the autumn leaves, and the falling snow.

Once we had the walls up, we started work on the back wall. 

I decided to construct it with 2x4’s, adding a window with a couple of support beams on each side. There are some really awesome window options online, safe for playhouses, that are shatterproof, but I decided to leave the window open to the outside. 

Lastly I painted the rest of the outside of the structure black, hung battery powered lights from the ceiling (they are magical at sundown), and added the climbing wall holds, with t nuts and bolts, for a strong hold. (To be honest I am probably having more fun climbing than the kiddos.)

It is so important to me to be able to provide my students with the same outside centers as I am able to provide inside. As most of our class time is spent outdoors, it is imperative that my students are provided with equal learning and exploration opportunities in both settings. Being able to create a large dramatic play area that can also double as a second quiet space and mindfulness area outside, is so wonderful. I cannot wait to add the easel, pillows, outdoor rug, and toys to the space for the kiddos to enjoy! Now the outdoor play kitchen and dining area has a house to go with it!