Nursery World - Home sweet home

Children's play manager Fionna Hannah wants to bring play back to basics with the pleasures of den building using readily-available materials, says Eve Boggenpoel. Last summer, Glasgow Green saw children of all ages joining together flattened cardboard boxes, pieces of carpet and old blankets. The occasion was Maydaze, a celebration for the people of Glasgow bringing together community recreation, museums and community arts. The den building was such a hit that at the end of the session, children could be seen carrying home enormous chunks of the structure that would no doubt form the basis of new dens in countless back gardens across the city.

Last summer, Glasgow Green saw children of all ages joining together flattened cardboard boxes, pieces of carpet and old blankets. The occasion was Maydaze, a celebration for the people of Glasgow bringing together community recreation, museums and community arts. The den building was such a hit that at the end of the session, children could be seen carrying home enormous chunks of the structure that would no doubt form the basis of new dens in countless back gardens across the city.

The organiser of the session was Fionna Hannah, children's play manager at Glasgow City Council. She is keen to bring play back to basics and to get children more involved with hands-on activities. The inspiration for the project on Glasgow Green came partly from Fionna's own childhood. Thinking back to school holidays, when much of her time was spent playing outside, Fiona wanted the project to remind children that having fun doesn't always need lots of money or special equipment.

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