Adding a huge, colorful map brings color to the playspace and teaches geography to kids. Children will be amazed by this enormous map, and will be drawn to thinking about it and playing around it. Painting is also a fun volunteer project! A finished painting project always provides a sense of accomplishment and very little expertise is needed to contribute successfully to the project.
Gather the listed supplies and tools.
Locate the section of asphalt/concrete where you would like to paint the map.
Make sure the surface is clean. Sweep and wash if needed. Use concrete primer to prepare the space.
Begin to unroll the stencil.
Anchor the stencil with tape to keep the wind from blowing it around. Note: the stencil paper is very thin and the wind will easily rip it if it is not taped securely.
Unroll stencil section 2 below and next to section 1→2 on the side indicated by the →2. Be sure the stamped edges of the sections are aligned and the adjacent edges are close together.
Unroll the rest of the sections in order so that the final layout looks like the illustration.
Use chalk or bright paint to mark the holes, creating the outline of the states/countries.
Remove the stencil, connect the dots, and paint the countries. You may want to add non-skid additive to the paint. Pastel paint colors tend to show the best on concrete/asphalt.
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Shade is a very important topic for many communities when it comes to their children. The structure not only provides a bit of relief from the sun but also adds to the aesthetic quality of the overall playspace. The more inviting a gathering area is, the more likely community members will begin to treat it like the “town square” it should be.
Ga-ga is a fast-paced, dodgeball-style game played in a fenced-in court (often hexagonal or octagonal) with a single ball and two or more players. Like dodgeball, the object of the game is to knock out your opponents by hitting them with the ball. Unlike dodgeball, however, the ball can only be hit with open hands and is in almost constant motion. Players strike, jump, and run to avoid being hit and are eliminated only when struck on or below the knee.
An outdoor classroom is a great way of encouraging schools and other organizations to take advantage of their outdoor playspace and turn the entire area into a learning environment.