Children's Nature Play Areas
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Nature Explore Classroom

Shaw Nature Reserve's Nature Explore Classroom opened in 2008. This engaging outdoor creative area is the product of a collaborative effort with the National Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. Developed as a response to the growing disconnect between children and nature, Nature Explore Classrooms feature outdoor “rooms” where young children can manipulate natural materials in creative and unstructured play. Our rooms include:

  • nature art area
  • build it area
  • climbing and crawling area
  • music and movement area
  • balance area
  • messy materials area
Sense of Wonder Woodland

The Shaw Nature Reserve opened its Sense of Wonder Woodland in April 2015. The children-friendly features in the Sense Of Wonder Woodland were constructed from natural and/or repurposed materials. Areas include:

  • fire towers
  • treemendous tree
  • elf house
  • swing
  • critter house
  • critter apartment
  • story time area

Note: adventuresome children often get wet—and perhaps a little muddy—so you might want to bring some extra clothes!

This engaging outdoor creative area is made possible through a gift from the Ott family in memory of Mary Ott.