A garden path with large, flat, round stones placed on soil, surrounded by small green grass tufts. Wooden stakes support a plant or structure, and a black metal fence is in the background.

Bangalow Community Children’s Centre

Bangalow, New South Wales

2025

This nature-based playground was thoughtfully designed for children aged 0 to 2 years, offering a calm, sensory-rich environment that supports early learning, movement, and connection to the natural world.

Free from plastic play equipment and overstimulating colours, the space features natural materials, gentle textures, and soft, earthy tones creating a low-stress environment ideal for early childhood development. Every element encourages outdoor sensory play, curiosity, and connection, from shaded areas and native planting to real textures and soothing natural sounds.

Key Features

  • Small spaces filled with natural, open-ended materials perfect for little hands and feet to squish, dig, splash and explore.

  • Low garden beds allow children to get involved with planting, watering and harvesting herbs and veggies.

  • Cosy spaces made from logs, branches or woven tunnels offer quiet spots for rest, storytelling or imaginative play under the trees.

  • Grassed pathways, stepping logs and gentle moundsencourage movement, balance and confidence.

  • Bamboo chimes, whispering grasses and rustling leaves create soft, soothing sounds that children can listen to, explore, and play with.

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