*This post is brought to you in collaboration with My Cubby.
One of the most wonderful things about being a parent, is the opportunity to relive the magic of childhood daily, through the actions of your own children; especially when they are absorbed in happy play.
Have you ever stopped yourself quietly, so as not to be noticed, and taken in a precious moment as it unfolded selflessly and unaware in front of you, like a rare and treasured daydream?:
Your kids, oblivious of your gaze, are playing beautifully together. In this pure scene, your breath is held as you quietly observe them in a moment of such purity and perfection, that you find yourself transported, just briefly, back to the long-forgotten feel of your own childhood?
So often when my kids are caught up in the wonder and joy of outside play, as I observe them, I catch myself recalling these special little glimpses of remembered moments from so long ago: The warm, sweet smell of water evaporating off the hot ground on a Summer's day, the vivid greenery and scent of the garden, the peals of laughter shattered by the abrupt shouts that emanate from excited little people at play and the inimitable sense of total immersion in the now; the game itself is, at that moment in time joyfully and wholly, all that matters.
As I reflect on these stolen scenes, my youngest kids, (quite naturally unaware of my camera), head down the meandering brick path in our yard, to the cubby house that sits mid-way by our fence-line.
Our cubby is old and original, constructed of remnants of our home's building materials by one of its earlier owners. It's quite in need of repair, with its dusty shabby floor and skeletal interior, but these minor faults do not deter our kids from owning this space enthusiastically and joyfully, every time they enter here.
To them, their cubby is their home: Their headquarters. It is a place of so many wonderful new play beginnings and contented game endings and a world of everything magical in between.
On weekends and after school, my children regularly head outside, often on some kind of mission together. Sometimes, the boys are spies and armed with backpacks and gadgets such as compasses and walkie-talkies, they bound out together in a single file, spouting excitedly about their planned objectives in the garden.
Other times, hide and seek is their game of choice and I observe my kids run off in several different directions, one or more of them always seeking solace within the small house where the dim light is expected to protect their carefully chosen hiding space, just that thrilling bit longer.
...Or sometimes it's just all about toy cars and other simple pleasures. Driving small vehicles in the great outdoors brings young kids so much fascination and pleasure, as they watch those tiny wheels roll over the real terrain.
There's no doubt about it; a cubby house is central for providing an endless source of fuel for growing imaginations.
Did you enjoy a cubby house when you were growing up? Do you remember the games you played in it?
The sense of pleasure gleaned from a child's very own space out in the garden and away from the everyday can become a treasured memory that remains with them throughout their lifetime. Are you too, sharing this precious experience with your own children?
The team at My Cubby are passionate about getting children back outside, playing, laughing, learning and being healthy. With increasing access to easily available technology, this generation of children spend so much time inside, playing / watching screens and being sedentary.
My Cubby are determined to change that and find a way for kids to be safely outside exploring, imagining, smiling and playing.
There are so many reasons for children to be active and play outside, for their mental and physical health and wellbeing, their social skills, co-ordination, imagination, learning and development.
We all know childhood goes by too fast. Kids should be encouraged to squeeze in as much fun, adventure and play as they can. As we know, it's not just play, it's a huge part of their all round education and happiness. This is why we work hard to create the best cubby houses in Australia, so your kids can have an amazing play area that they can access as often as possible!
How do your children play in their own outdoor space?
Recent posts on Six Little Hearts you may have missed:
Linking up for IBOT
I loved my cubby as a kid - so special...of course eventually full of spiders but so was the pool, so that's Sydney really....
ReplyDeleteLOL! I remember spiders in the pool!
DeleteWe had a beautiful red cubby with glass windows and curtains and off-cut linoleum from our kitchen floor when I was growing up. I use to love playing in it - special places...
My kids have always loved cubbies. Even at 15 and 11 they have been known to throw a blanket over the dining table and crawl inside!
ReplyDeleteWe just sold our actual cubby.
Sob.
But we are replacing it with a hot tub
Whoop!
So yeah, my kids are growing up :)
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
So cute that they still make cubbies! My boys built some just last night in their bunk beds and then slept like that for the night! Sad about selling your cubby but at least you have something special to fill the space. Enjoy it!
DeleteI LOVE My Cubby, it was always a dream to get one, sadly we couldn't afford one. We have a fort that the boys love, they don't use it as much but maybe as they grow, and the weather gets cooler!
ReplyDeleteA fort sounds sensational - especially for the boys. We'd like to upgrade our cubby too...
DeleteI love the Jody ... Watching my kids play ( well only one still really plays make believe ) makes me smile deep within .. He fights imaginary people... He talks to his Lego... I can see his mind ticking along... Just beautiful
ReplyDeleteOh stop, you're making me clucky - so precious!!
DeleteKids are delicious aren't they, when they play...
Such gorgeous photos! I love being allowed into the magic of childhood again with my own kids. It makes me understand why mums nag so much about getting grandkids - you get to do it all again! #TeamIBOT
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca!
DeleteYes, I hope having six kids will net me loads of grandkids one day so that I can do it all over (without all the work!).
I love watching my girls play together, and now that Miss 5 is at school their playtime together is so precious. They have a small indoor tent that they love to play in, making up endless scenarios. More than this they love to be outside, chasing butterflies, climbing, digging in the dirt, performing on the stage (the deck!) and chasing each other around in circles. I can only imagine their complete joy at having a special play space outside just for them.
ReplyDeleteOh you've made me want to come on over and play too - can I?!
DeleteSuch special moments your kids have together. My boys love certainly love their fort.
ReplyDeleteYes Renee, they do! A fort sounds fabulous - my boys would go crazy for one. :D
DeleteAll I ever wanted when I was a kid was a cubby. I never had one so I made sure I bought mine one. It's still around twenty years later. They adored it and it was the setting for a lot of home movies my eldest son made when he was about twelve with all his brothers and sisters starring. I feel nostalgic when I think about it :)
ReplyDeleteDon't you love how adulthood is a second chance at childhood. So glad your own kids had a chance to enjoy the cubby you never had.
DeleteKids need very little to keep them entertained. This will be the part of childhood that they remember as adults.
ReplyDelete#twinklytuesday
Yes, so true. The cubby house really keeps the memories alive over all other things doesn't it?!
DeleteMine love to take blankets and make dens under bushes or trees. I now have a whole pile by the back down which I don't mind being dragged through the mud!
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous!
DeleteOh my gosh! Will you look at that cubby house. It's amazing! I never had a cubby house as a kid, but I so desperately wanted one. We had to be satisfied with climbing trees. I would love to get the kids one. These look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAren't they gorgeous?!
DeleteTree climbing is another excellent childhood pleasure!
Oh my I loved this post!! It's taken me right back to my childhood and makes me smile that I promote outside play and our cubby house. The boys love it and they are always wanting to go and start an adventure when out.
ReplyDelete#twinklytuesday
I am so glad - I hoped this would be the case! I felt the same when I was sneaking the images and writing it! Thanks for stopping by. :D
DeleteHow adorable are your children! Glad to see them getting along and enjoying the beautiful weather.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up over at Toronto Teacher Mom!
They're a bit cute aren't they?! :D
DeleteYour kids are darling, so curious too. Im checking out the no ake lemon bars too!!!
ReplyDeleteCuties huh!
DeleteDo make the lemon slice - it's divine. :D
This is such a gorgeous post and I adore the photos! We didn't have a cubby and we don't have one now - we do have a little area at the end of the garden that could definitely be used like your little ones do. It's very cold winter right here now in the UK but I can't wait to get Zach back out in the garden exploring again. We've only had a proper garden for the last year so haven't had too many exciting adventures out there! Thanks so much for linking up with #twinklytuesday xx
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've plenty of time to get something together for Springtime play. Please keep the cold weather over there too - I really don't want it back yet!
DeleteThey are really cute! POSH
ReplyDeleteThank you - I think so too. :D
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing at Oh My Heartsie Girl WW
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny. :D
DeleteAw thats adorable. Its going to be a lovely childhood memory for them #brilliantblogposts
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely without a doubt. :)
DeleteOh I always wanted a cubby, or a treehouse. I used to dream of having my own little private space -I still do actually :)
ReplyDeleteYou get yourself that cubby Nicole! Maybe just a sheet under the dining table?
DeleteI had a friend in primary school who had a magnificent two storey cubby and I am still envious to this day.
What a beautiful, beautiful post and the pictures are darling.
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely. xx
DeleteI grew up with a cubby house, it was base to many adventures as I grew up. Unfortunately our children don't have one in our backyard & I often feel they are missing out on a crucial childhood past time. So instead there is no limit or ban on the number of blankets & sheets they take from the cupboard (or the washing pile!) to create their own fortresses.
ReplyDeleteYour unlimited blanket supply sounds fantastic and very brave of you. I think that will be a lovely memory for your children too.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous post! Cubbies are the best. I had one when I was a kid and I loved it - it was actually the dog's kennel so we played in it together ;) I also love just watching my daughter immersed in the magic that is early childhood. I could literally watch her play games with imaginary friends and sing songs for hours.
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet! Yes, how lovely is it to watch children play - magic.
DeleteWe had a tree house that would stop my heart these days! My parents were clearly made of much sterner stuff than me!!! x
ReplyDeleteOh us too! My teenage brother built a very high and elaborate one up our huge gum tree. I am surprised it stayed up for years. (He became a builder by the way.) There's no way I'd let my kids play in their own creation. Heart-stopping fear!
DeleteI had a cardboard box... well I have a few cardboard boxes over the years all from fridges or washing machines and man I turned them into palaces lol xx
ReplyDeleteOh yes Sonia - card board boxes will always have an affinity with kids. Mine love them so much I even blogged about it.
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