What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?

Adding a natural building play area to an outdoor learning environment is an easy and inexpensive way to diversify free play.

Any assortment of safe natural materials = instant imaginative build-your-own play area.

All you need are the materials, the kids do the rest! Possibilities include: bamboo poles, bark wedges, straw bales, small stones, log stumps, tree cookies, trimmed branches, pine cones, large leaves, ropes or cord, burlap, cardboard boxes, and anything else you can think of. It’s good to have this area near some structures to build against, like a wall, fence, a grove of trees, etc. All materials should be frequently inspected to ensure no sharp edges or pointed ends. Disintegrating objects should be removed.