New woodland playground opens in Elten

Yesterday, as students in the Early Childhood Education program at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, we had the opportunity to help organize the opening of the new forest playground in Elten.

During the summer semester, we designed the module “Educational Processes in Nature” together with landscape architect Jenny Humrich from Naturleben. She designed the forest playground, thereby creating a special place for learning. We didn’t just reflect on nature-based educational processes in theory; we also experienced the space firsthand and considered what educators need to be able to use this location as an educational setting. To this end, the students developed a practice-oriented guide for daycare centers and elementary schools.

For today’s opening ceremony, our students developed various educational activities and facilitated the creative hands-on stations. Whether designing mandalas from natural materials, crafting forest masks, building marble runs, telling forest stories, or working together at the deadwood construction site—everywhere, children were discovering, experimenting, and creating. It was impressive to see the curiosity and enthusiasm with which the children embraced the activities and brought the new playground to life from the very first moment.

For me, this project demonstrates once again the potential of hands-on, project-based, and competency-focused higher education. With their dedication, creativity, and willingness to engage in open-ended processes, the students played a decisive role in shaping this day and showed what is possible when theory and practice come together.

Many thanks to Jenny Humrich for the inspiring collaboration. It was wonderful that she involved us in the final phase of the project, thereby creating such a valuable space for learning and experience as a true real-world laboratory.

I am particularly pleased with the commitment of Robin Gosens and his “Träumen lohnt sich” Foundation, which made the creation of this forest playground possible. Children need places where they can climb, marvel, discover, retreat, create, and experience nature with all their senses. Especially in an age when screens are becoming increasingly prevalent, such nature-based spaces are invaluable.

A big thank you goes to Robin Gosens for showing how social engagement can create tangible, valuable spaces for children and highlight the importance of early childhood education. After all, the forest playground can be used not only by families but also by daycare centers and elementary schools! 🌿💚