| 
It was the kindergarten pioneer Friedrich Froebel who noted
(in 1893) “play [as] the highest phase of child development”. Going on to
elaborate that “play at this time is not trivial, it is highly serious and of
deep significance… The plays of childhood are the germinal leaves of all later
life.”
It is a notion that is often ignored (or forgotten) as lives
get busier and “free-time” is spent sitting in front of some “techy” device. It
is promising therefore that there are those who are beginning to rise against
allowing this new “norm” - with movements popping up such as forest or “outdoor”
schools, adventure parks and playgrounds, and in the creation of back-yard “cubbies”
such as these picturesque examples by Melbourne-based ‘Castle and Cubby’.
Kellie and Jonathan Stores began their ‘Castle & Cubby’ business
when pregnant with their second child and were inspired to create sustainable
(so no bright plastics!) products for their little people with BIG imaginations.
Above, a farmers market inspired cubby.
Made from (mostly) recycled apple crates, their products aim
to inspire kids’ imaginations by providing a space for them to mimic the world
they live in. Having two young ones means they are constantly inspired as they
watch the real-life games enacted by their kids - they are always creating, designing
and testing new ideas in the backyard.
As Kellie says: “We are passionate about creating spaces not
just for children but for families to connect and be reminded of what good old
fashioned outdoor fun is.” Activities that inspire sharing, role-playing,
interacting, creating stories and dreams. The cubbies, whilst each being uniquely hand-crafted have
taken the form of farmer’s market producers to grocery shopkeepers and baristas,
beach ice-cream carts and more.
