When we first visited Cefn Onn Park last year, The Boy's first question was about the playground. At the time he still had in his head that every 'park' was of the suburban template consisting of various flora, a set of swings, see-saw, slide, climbing frame… you get the picture. It's taken him a while to realise the point I explained to him then; that there's play equipment wherever you go, you just have to work out how to use it.
Needing a breath of fresh air and some family time on the weekend, we returned to Cefn Onn to see the bluebells and rhododendron bushes which are flourishing at this time of year. While we were wondering up the pathways and squelching through the mud, we discovered an area of the park where trees had either fallen naturally or been felled. I find it very hard to believe that they weren't laid out in the particular way that they were, because The Boy declared it was an assault course which he needed to try out.
Tentative at first (due to a scooter incident five minutes beforehand), he asked me to help him cross a huge, gaping chasm of a gap, but when he realised he would have to do it himself then I was really impressed with the way he worked it out.
Bolstered by his accomplishing this, there was no stopping him and he was soon charging around the assault course and jumping from tree trunks!
The final task was scaling a tree trunk to declare himself the 'King of the Castle', have a guess as to who was the 'dirty rascal'?
I love seeing his confidence grow along with his physical capability, and I love seeing him being a child who takes pleasure in the world around him.
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Linking up to Country Kids and Let Kids Be Kids
Beautiful photos as always (I voted for you!). Nature's playground really is the best sort, isn't it? M
I agree, it's wonderful watching their confidence grow. This looks like such a lovely outing – and beautiful photos as always x
Just love the action shots of him jumping off the logs 🙂 And the last few, you can see exactly what's he's saying! I love this kind of play, we haven't been to the woods for too long, must sort that out… It really is wonderful to watch them gain confidence and try things for themselves x #CountryKids
Natural "playgrounds" are the best. You are so right that they need to figure out how to play with them, but it doesn't take long. You really have caught his expressions perfectly. Lots of fun. #CountryKids
I love the way you tell the story to match your photos, I can almost feel myself there with you on your walk and see you encouraging him and challenging him onward. I think he's going through a growth spirt too, he seems to be getting taller by the day even on the photos! Hope the recent illness soon passes so he can be back out enjoying things that make him smile again.
For me that's the best sort of playground where kids can have fun while connecting with nature. Gorgeous shots.
Beautiful shots.
Trees make such great playgrounds as you say. N is just discovering he can clamber over them, although he's not confident yet in walking along them yet
Beautifully illustrated – natural playgrounds are the best
Lovely photos, and I do love how natural playgrounds like this can entertain and fascinate for so long.
It's beautiful watching them grow and imagine and create adventure. He is having such awesome fun there….love it! #countrykids
Beautiful pictures – you can't beat nature #letkidsbekids
That looks like a fantastic natural assault course, perfect for kids to experiment with and have fun. Love the photos.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids