We chat to outdoor play expert Claire from Creative Play, who shares how imaginative play can support early years development and strengthen your nursery’s success

A canvas for adventure, storytelling, and discovery – incorporating imaginative play into outdoor play settings not only enhances children’s experiences but also aligns perfectly with the EYFS areas of Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

Creative Play has spent more than three decades working with nurseries across the UK to create outdoor play spaces that unlock children’s creativity and support their holistic development. We understand how the right environment can elevate play beyond the everyday, turning it into a magical, enriching experience.

Why outdoor imaginative play matters

Imaginative play is much more than fun – it’s central to how children learn. By stepping into roles, inventing stories, and exploring scenarios, children build key skills in language, social interaction, and problem-solving. Outdoor play settings provide an independence not felt in a classroom – along with fresh air, movement, and a tactile sense of the world.

“Getting out of the classroom offers endless opportunities for children to imagine and create worlds,” says Claire, play advisor at Creative Play. “When you pair that with themed equipment like a ship or a train, it’s amazing how quickly children’s ideas take flight.”

Bringing the curriculum to life

The EYFS framework highlights the importance of role play and exploration in helping children make sense of the world. Outdoor imaginative play supports their growing understanding of different communities, cultures, and environments.

For example, a child clambering aboard a pirate ship isn’t just playing – they’re developing language through dialogue with friends, problem-solving as they navigate “rough seas,” and building an early sense of geography and the natural world. These rich experiences all contribute to the EYFS goals.

Designing outdoor spaces for imaginative play

Want to integrate imaginative play into your outdoor play environment? Here are some key considerations:

Choose themed equipment which sparks stories

Play equipment like ships, trains, tractors, and fire trucks instantly spark curiosity and encourage a narrative. They’re not just static structures – they’re stages for endless adventures. “They offer clear cues for children to step into roles and invent scenarios,’ explains Claire. ‘It gives children a starting point for play that can grow in any direction.”

Create zones for role play

Consider breaking your outdoor play area into different zones, each with its own theme or purpose. A train station zone, for instance, could feature a wooden train alongside seating that doubles as waiting benches. A tractor and planters in a farm-themed area can encourage children to explore ideas about food and agriculture. These sections don’t have to be large – even tiny spaces can inspire big ideas.

Encourage movement and exploration

Imaginative play often involves movement – children walking along the ‘deck’ of a ship, crawling through the wheels of a tractor, or racing from a fire truck to ‘rescue’ friends from a pretend emergency. Designing your outdoor play space to include gentle slopes, bridges, and platforms around these themed items can extend the adventure while supporting gross motor development.

Questions to ask yourself about incorporating more imaginative play outside:

• Does your current outdoor space invite children to create stories?
  Look for opportunities to add themed equipment that connects to children’s interests and sparks role playing.
• Are all children included?
  Make sure your imaginative play areas are accessible and inclusive so that every child can join in the fun.
• How can we build on children’s ideas?
  Consider if your site supports children’s stories and provides the materials required to extend their narratives.

A lasting impact on development

Providing room for outdoor imaginative play is about nurturing confident, creative children who feel empowered to explore. By investing in outdoor play that blends imagination, physical movement, and real-world themes, you’re offering them a rich environment to develop language, social skills, and a sense of belonging.

“When we design these areas, we’re not just thinking about how they’ll look,” says Claire. “We’re thinking about the experiences they’ll unlock for every child. Opportunities for children to learn, grow and thrive.”

Ready to bring imagination outdoors?

Creative Play offers a complete outdoor play solution – from consultation and design, to manufacture, installation, and ongoing support. Our end-to-end service ensures consistent quality, safety, and reliability – a key reason why so many nursery managers trust us to deliver bespoke environments that meet their unique needs.

If you’d like to incorporate more imaginative play into your outdoor space – or see what other ways there are to add value to your area from a play equipment range of 600+ items, visit the Creative Play website for inspiration, or start a conversation with us today.