Enabling Environments: Dens - What a build-up!
Samantha Richmond
Friday, August 3, 2012
Whole families had fun working together at Oakwood House Nursery's first den-making festival in Huddersfield.
Last month we held our first den-making festival as a way to involve families, educate them about the delights of den-building and raise some money for our chosen charity, the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice.
Children, parents, relatives and staff all joined in building some magnificent structures, using natural materials from the nursery's own woodland. Dens could be small enough for fairies or big enough for giants. We also organised face-painting and provided homemade cakes, ice cream and refreshments.
To help families make the most of the day, we provided an information sheet outlining the learning that comes from den-building, a starter pack designed by the staff and den-building guides. Expert staff assistance was also available for a small donation towards our chosen charity. At the end of the afternoon, all the children received a special certificate to congratulate them on building their fabulous dens.
The day was a real success on many levels. Whole families had such fun working together, while the children were sometimes able to advise their family members on how to build the den, such as weaving ferns into the structure. We spend as much time as we can outdoors and it was 
great to demonstrate to parents the confidence and skills that their children had learnt during their time with us. Parents could see the learning benefits of den-building and were able to take away ideas for exploring dens with their children. We raised £330 on the day for charity and this is definitely an event we will do each year.
Samantha Richmond is senior manager of Oakwood House Nursery and Forest School, Edgerton, Huddersfield, part of the Portland Nurseries group.
DEN-BUILDING RESOURCES
If you lack the natural resources for den-building in your outdoor area, there are many commercially available resources to choose from.
Reflections on Learning has added den-making equipment to its range, including its Den Frame (£24.95), which can be covered with natural materials or Green Camouflage Material (4m x 1.5m, £24.99), which is water resistant, fire retardant and breathable. Intrepid little explorers can also take cover under Camouflage Netting (2.7m x 1.5m, £16.99) or don a Camouflage Cape (£14.99).
If you're looking for a ready-made place that's perfect for resting, reading or role play, then check out Reflections' Rainbow Stripe Wigwam (£69.99). And if the children in your nursery are interested in camping out, they will love the Pretend & Play Camp Set (£19.99) with its battery-powered stove and lantern. The set also includes a water bottle, cup, pan, shovel, first aid kit, working compass, watch and utensil set.
Hope Education has also added to its den-making range, which includes a Large Den Kit, priced £79.95. The set comprises 20ft x 4ft bamboo pieces, a roll of natural twine, 20 giant spring pegs, 20 ground pegs, four rubber mallets, a transparent PVC sheet (1.8m x 1.8m), and three tarpaulin sheets in blue, dark green and orange (each measuring 3 m x 2.5m).
The company's Willow Weaving Tunnels (£149.95) also make perfect weaving frames and play dens. Woven on to a steel frame for extra stability, the three modular sections are hard-wearing and slide within each other for easy storage. Other kits available include the Den-Building Kit, priced £60.00, from Mindstretchers, and the Den-making Set (£38.95) and Dazzling Dens (£69.95), both from TTS, which also offers equipment such as Willow teepees (£149.95) and a Bird Hide (£61.95).
