How and why to create an outdoor potions & creations space
- The Know & Play Space
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Pouring. Mixing. Transporting. Experimenting. Imagining. Problem-solving.
One space enables all of this, and so much more.
What can look like 'just making potions' is often supporting some of the deepest foundations of early childhood development.
This is one of the current outdoor spaces in our garden - a Potions & Creations Space, designed to invite exploration, creativity and open-ended play.
And the best part?
It doesn’t need to be perfect.
It's going to get messy. It's going to get used.
It just needs to be inviting.
Why are potions and creation spaces so beneficial?
Open-ended sensory and imaginative play supports development across multiple areas at once.
Through experiences like pouring, measuring, mixing and experimenting, children naturally build:
fine motor control
hand–eye coordination
sensory processing
language and communication
early mathematical thinking
scientific enquiry
problem-solving
imaginative play
executive functioning
confidence and independence
Our Potions & Creations Space: What’s Included & Why
I think that as well as giving you the links, so that you can create a space inspired by ours in your garden or setting, it's important for me to also outline why I've chosen these resources and how they're going to be supporting development. All of these resources have been intentionally chosen, and the variety means that a whole range of developmental learning is possible within this area.
Large Cauldron + Cable Reel
A raised gathering point - big enough for multiple children to combine and collaborate in. The small reel makes it low enough for toddlers, but the cauldron makes it exciting enough for preschoolers, rather than just a bowl. The large cauldron being slightly raised also means that it's encouraging big gross motor movement, particularly focusing on developing shoulder strength - essential for writing in the future!
Supports:
imaginative play
cooperation
gross motor movement
language development
Links:
Cable Reel (free from Facebook Marketplace)
Open Resource Shelf
This shelf is intentionally open and visible. Children can independently choose, combine and adapt resources. These resources can be changed and rotated, to allow for different enhancements which inspire different play.
Open Shelving Supports:
autonomy
planning
flexible thinking
decision making
Links (& how they support development):
Pipettes - Strengthen hand muscles and control through squeezing and transferring
Pestle & Mortars - Allows for grinding, experimentation and sensory exploration
Chalk - Supports mark making and creative expression, but also is great for griding to make chalk paste/paint + adding to make coloured potions
Mini Graters - Enables the chalk to be grated for potions/paint
Tea Set + Play Food - Encourages storytelling, sequencing and social play
Towels + Cloths - Promotes the full play cycle, care for resources and practical life skills
Pipes & Sieves - Encourage investigation, movement and cause-and-effect thinking
Mud Kitchen
This provides a wide surface to work on, plus the element of imaginative play through having the 'hob' and 'door'.
Links:
Mud Kitchen* (previous partnership)
Hanging Wire Baskets (free from Facebook Marketplace)
Utensils (a range of kitchen utensils - all from car boot sales!)
Water Trays & Stands
You'll notice the variety of stands here. This is intentional. It means that play can happen in trays of different depths, and at different heights. With space all around all of them, multiple children can play at once - encouraging collaboration, language and relationship development. Having the low large tub means that large gross motor movements can be done within this - eg. stirring using a large spoon, which is great for full body strenth and coordination development.
The funnel stand was a DIY I made, and can be used in conjunction with the pipes on the Open Shelving. This encourages transportation of water - engaging play schemas and the skills needed for scientific enquiry.
Supports:
early maths concepts eg. volume and capacity
gross motor skills
exploration & investigation
problem-solving
Links:
Wooden Pallet (free from Facebook Marketplace)
Plastic Tub (free from Facebook Marketplace)
Funnel Stand (DIY-ed by me)
Water Resources Trolley
These trolleys have been an absolute game changer in the garden. We have them for every play area. This one is specifically resourced for this space.
Links (& how they support development):
Measuring Cylinders & Measuring Beakers - Support comparison, experimentation and mathematical language & thinking
Metal Containers (all from car boot sales) - Durable, long lasting, are a variety of sizes for decision making and strategic choice making, offer a variety of ways to pour & transfer
Just to say...
You don’t need every resource shown here. Most of this space has been built over time using everyday objects, second-hand finds and simple adaptations.
Much of the development that an area like this could support, can definitely be replicated with a simple tub & variety of utensils/containers.
Want to go further?
If you enjoy understanding not just what to set up, but why it supports development, there are a few ways we can 'walk' together through the forest that is childhood:
The Guidance Library - Explore more articles and practical ideas.
Membership - Go deeper with support, resources and experiences across every season of childhood.
Personalised Support & Consultancy - For tailored guidance, environments and development questions unique to your family or setting.
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