Author: Dr Lee Fallin

  • If you go down to the PGP Site today, you’re sure to find a furniture surprise – (and a lot of bears!)

    If you go down to the PGP Site today, you’re sure to find a furniture surprise – (and a lot of bears!)

    We are excited to share that local company Claughtons has provided a generous donation to Playful Green Hull. As part of the development of their new Trudy Outdoor Range, Claughtons have supplied us with a sample from their new range of outdoor furniture. We are thrilled to be the first site to get hands on this beautiful new range – and you can see why! We just know this will be a hit addition to our Botanical Gardens site.

    Story time in the woods

    Two children sitting on wooden chairs in a park, surrounded by trees and daffodils, one child reading a book while holding a teddy bear.
    Children enjoying storytime in a natural setting, seated on charming outdoor furniture designed for storytelling.

    What is this?

    The Once upon a time chair

    With a stunning storyteller throne and some additional chairs for the little ones, these seats are a perfect addition to any outdoor space. The throne will be the perfect seat for our storyteller and is sure to feature at many of our future events.

    What we love about this

    The throne absolutely captures the imagination – the PGP Team is already fighting over who gets to use this first, though Kerrie looks confident she will make it first. (That said, we all might lose out to our resident storyteller Alan Raw, who deserves the honour!).

    The learning connection

    Storytelling in the early years builds essential literacy and emotional intelligence by sparking a child’s imagination and helping them navigate complex concepts through narrative. A storyteller throne enhances this experience by creating a dedicated, “magical” physical space that signals the transition into a focused learning environment, instantly commanding attention and increasing engagement.

    Feeling risky?

    What is this?

    1 step, 2 steps, 3 steps… balancing beam

    These low balance beams are a perfect way to build confidence and manage risk-taking. The portable beams are very stable, but also easy to rearrange to build a new challenge.

    What we love about this

    Just the right height for early years, these balance beams will look great in our wooded environment. Our resident imagineer, Izzy, is already dreaming up woodland balance games. Watch out for these at our next event!

    The learning connection

    Developing balance in the early years is fundamental for physical autonomy, as it strengthens core stability and refines the vestibular system necessary for all complex motor skills. A low balance beam provides a safe, accessible challenge that encourages children to practice weight shifting and spatial awareness, all while boosting their confidence.

    Two children playing outdoors in a park, one jumping over wooden beams while holding a teddy bear, surrounded by trees and yellow daffodils.
    Children enjoying outdoor play on low balance beams, perfect for developing motor skills and confidence.

    What’s cookin’?

    Two children playing at a wooden outdoor kitchen, one child using utensils on the stove while the other smiles nearby, with a teddy bear in hand.
    Children enjoying imaginative play with the new outdoor mud kitchen, fostering creativity and messy play.

    What is this?

    Mud kitchen

    Who doesn’t love a mud kitchen? An essential component of any forest school, mud kitchens are a great place to let the imagination run wild. Add in some messy play and stunning build quality, and we are sure this will bring joy to children visiting our site for years to come.

    What we love about this

    As part of our Playful Green Planet network, we’ve been connecting with researchers with expertise in messy play. Mud is a great way to build a resilient microbiome, and we’re thrilled to be able to facilitate this with our shiny new mud kitchen. Lee is a massive fan of getting his hands dirty and is sure to help make lots of mud cakes with this. He might even share it with the kids…

    The learning connection

    Messy play in a mud kitchen is a powerhouse for supporting schemas—those repetitive patterns of behaviour, such as transporting, transforming, and positioning. These actions allow children to explore and master complex physical and cognitive concepts. By providing a tactile space where mud can change from solid to liquid or be moved from pot to pan, the mud kitchen allows children to physically act out these internal mental models, turning abstract thoughts into concrete understanding through sensory experimentation.

    What shall we grow first?

    What is this?

    Planter bench

    Two stunning planters joined by a bench provide the perfect environment to sit and smell the lavender. From planting up a sensory garden through to some veggies, there is endless potential for these planters on our site.

    What we love about this

    Given the bench, this is a perfect opportunity for something sensory – or edible (or both!). We’re pretty sure Jo and Cathy are already drawing up planting plans. We could even make it a competition and give them one each, heh.

    The learning connection

    Growing plants in the early years fosters a deep connection to the natural world while teaching children about life cycles, patience, and the responsibility of nurturing a living thing. This is pretty much EVERYTHING Playful Green Hull is about! Planters paired with a bench create an accessible “living laboratory” where children can sit comfortably to observe minute changes, supporting positioning and orientation schemas as they carefully arrange seeds and tools at eye level.

    Two children playing in a garden with teddy bears, surrounded by decorative plants in wooden planters.
    Children interacting with plush bears at a wooden outdoor bench surrounded by decorated planters, encouraging imaginative play.

    Could Trudy help transform your outdoor learning opportunities?

    We hope you have enjoyed reading about our plans for the new Trudy Outdoors range.

    If you are interested in exploring the range more, check out the official flyer here:

    Transform Your Playground Into An Outdoor Learning EnvironmentDownload

  • 🏆 WINNERS! Playful Green Hull Recognised for Transforming Lives in Hull

    🏆 WINNERS! Playful Green Hull Recognised for Transforming Lives in Hull

    We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Playful Green Hull Project has taken home the prestigious ECSDN Social Impact of the Year Award!

    The team accepted the honour on 23 January at the ECSDN Awards Ceremony hosted by the University of Northampton. This award isn’t just a trophy; it is a powerful recognition of the Playful Green Hull initiative and its unwavering dedication to supporting marginalised families across our city.

    At its heart, this project is about equity and joy. By breaking down social, economic, and environmental barriers, the team empowers families to rediscover their local green spaces. Our project is focused around the beautiful University Botanic Gardens – the focus of our project and its events. Through creative play and nature-rich experiences, we are helping children, caregivers and early years practitioners build deep, confident connections with the natural world.

    Why This Matters:

    Real Impact: We are opening doors for families to access and enjoy green spaces they might otherwise feel excluded from.

    Wellbeing: We are using creative play to strengthen family bonds, mental health, and champion environmental belonging.

    Future: We are inspiring a lifelong relationship with nature for the next generation of children and early years practitioners.

    With thanks to our community and funders

    The Playful Green Hull Team would like to extend thanks to all of the local children, families, partners and University of Hull students who have helped to make this happen. Special thanks go to Alan Raw FRSA the RSA Fellowship Councillor for the North. Playful Green Hull is a Playful Green Planet (PGP) Hull initiative. PGP is a movement co-created with local communities, delivered in partnership with the RSA, Eden Project and Bath Spa University, and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund (Climate Action Fund).

    Congratulations to the Team:

    A massive well done to Dr Lee Fallin, Dr Cathy Kilburn, Dr Jo Traunter, Dr Isobel Reagan, and Kerrie Lee (left-to-right),  for representing Playful Green Hull and the University of Hull, bringing this award home!

    This recognition highlights exactly what makes this project special: collaborative strength and a genuine commitment to social inclusion.

    🌱 Discover more about how we are re-engaging children with nature at:https://playfulgreenhull.co.uk/

  • We’ve been shortlisted for ECSDN’s Social Impact of the Year Award

    We’ve been shortlisted for ECSDN’s Social Impact of the Year Award

    We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for Social Impact of the Year Award at the inaugural Awards of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network.

    The Awards are dedicated to honouring the exceptional contributions of students, professional practitioners, and institutional settings within the Early Childhood sector. 

    The full list of shortlisted nominees will be available on the ECSDN website soon.

    The inaugural ECSDN awards ceremony takes place on Friday 23rd January 2026 at the University of Northampton.

    Wish us the very best of luck and we’ll let you know if we’re successful in the new year.

  • Lee Fallin’s Playful Green Planet mission

    Lee Fallin’s Playful Green Planet mission

    The Royal Society of Arts are the driving force behind the amazing Playful Green Planet mission. We’re thrilled to share that our own Lee Fallin has recently been profiled the following RSA Fellowship case study: Lee Fallin’s Playful Green Planet mission.

    Playful Green Planet is RSA’s first big fellows-led initiative. It is made possible through the work of RSA Fellows like Lee. If you’re interested in being part of the change, perhaps RSA Fellowship is for you?

    Dr Lee Fallin leading a Playful Green Adventure as part of RSA Fellows Fest 2025


    Passionate about making a positive change where you live?

    Discover what the RSA Fellowship can do for your community and you:

    Join RSA Fellowship

  • Autumn magic: Celebrating our PGP Launch event

    Autumn magic: Celebrating our PGP Launch event

    Following many successful small events in our beautiful Botanical Gardens, on 25th of October we we thrilled to host our first big launch event for Playful Green Hull. For this blog update, we’re excited to share a video update on this fantastic event. A HUGE thank you to all of our partners and volunteers that made the day special.

    We’re looking forward to updating you further when we complete evaluation and analysis of our initial findings.

  • Our first Co-Design Council Meeting

    Our first Co-Design Council Meeting

    Today we were thrilled to host representatives from across the city for our first Co-Design Council Meeting. Our Co-Design Council is our core stakeholder group. They are our coalition of local partners with the expertise, resources and connections to drive the success of PGP in Hull. Attendees included the Friends of Thwaite Gardens, University Estates, THRIVE Cooperative Trust, The Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, Hull City Council, Pan Galactic, Rewilding Youth and more!

    Our first meeting focused on developing outdoor learning opportunities for children in Hull, particularly through the use of green spaces like the Botanic Gardens. The aim is to foster confidence in both children and adults, promote safe exploration, and ensure inclusive access to nature.

    Key Themes and Discussions

    1. Access and Inclusion

    • Many families feel disconnected from green spaces due to cost, distance, or perception.
    • The project seeks to reframe nature as a shared, accessible resource.
    • Emphasis on working with children with additional needs in safe, enclosed environments.

    2. Safety and Site Management

    • Importance of clear communication about site features (e.g., maps, photos).
    • Importance of risk assessments, especially regarding chemicals and poisonous plants.
    • Interest in creating child-friendly zones with edible and non-edible plantings.

    3. Educational and Creative Opportunities

    • Integration of science (e.g., biodiversity monitoring, bio blitzes) with creative storytelling (e.g., fairy trails, child lore).
    • Potential for interdisciplinary student projects (e.g., biology and education).
    • Use of artistic approaches to make science more accessible and engaging.

    4. Community and Collaboration

    • Strong desire to involve local communities, schools, and creative practitioners.
    • Discussion of intergenerational learning and community-led development.
    • Interest in linking with existing initiatives like the Children’s University and Eco Fest.
  • RSA formerly launches the Playful Green Planet Network!

    RSA formerly launches the Playful Green Planet Network!

    Today, the RSA is launching the Playful Green Planet Network – a bold new initiative which will roll out nature-based play and outdoor learning across the UK.

    After the success of pilots here (in Hull) and in Dundee, the RSA is aspiring to grow a national movement that empowers communities to transform underused green spaces into imaginative playrooms and outdoor classrooms designed for and with local children.

    We’re super excited to be part of this in Hull – and hope you enjoy checking out the below video from our partners in Dundee and the RSA:

    What is Playful Green Planet?

    Playful Green Planet transforms green spaces into ecologically thriving outdoor playrooms and classrooms that grow children’s (0-11) ecological citizenship.

    Playful Green Planet is committed to growing, connecting and supporting a movement of Playful Green Planet Stewards (from the RSA Fellowship) who are co-creating and co-producing nature-based play and learning experiences for all children and the early years, community and school settings in their neighbourhoods.

    The first new networks of stewards are Redbridge Council’s Fairlop Waters Country Park and Cody Dock’s community gardens in East London. We can’t wait to see what they bring to PGP!

  • Hull PGP Team contribute to RSA Fellows Fest 2025

    Hull PGP Team contribute to RSA Fellows Fest 2025

    Dr Lee Fallin was delighted to support RSA Fellows Fest 2025 today by running Playful Green Urban Adventures outside of RSA House. Taking delegates to the nearby Victoria Embankment Gardens, Lee as able to help champion the values of PGP by encouraging connection with nature and play. It also provided the perfect opportunity to share some of our initial learning from Hull.

    You can see Lee’s reflections on the garden in his personal blog here:

    Green Urban Adventures in Victoria Embankment Gardens

    Stay tuned for a post-Fellows Fest wrap up!

  • University of Hull selected for high-profile programme connecting children to nature and community

    University of Hull selected for high-profile programme connecting children to nature and community

    The University of Hull is delighted to announce it will be at the forefront of an innovative new programme aimed at connecting children to nature and their community. Underpinned by the University’s School of Education’s well-established expertise in Forest School and outdoor learning approaches, the University has been chosen as a pilot for Playful Green Planet – a landmark programme from the RSA, (Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), a social impact charity in collaboration with the Eden Project and Bath Spa University. 

    Playful Green Planet, aims to bridge the significant gap in children’s connection to nature, especially in marginalised or disadvantaged areas, by creating ecologically thriving outdoor play spaces and learning environments. The project aims to transform how children connect with nature and community through outdoor creative play. It responds to the current sizeable gap in children’s connection to nature, particularly in cities and urban areas. 
     
    The project is the first of its kind in the UK and will identify areas of land in urban and 
    economically disadvantaged areas, drawing on the expertise and talents of local individuals, coalitions and communities to transform those spaces into ecologically thriving outdoor play spaces and learning environments that foster children’s knowledge, confidence and engagement in the natural environments. 
     
    Currently research suggests that more than one in ten children do not visit a natural 
    environment annually, four out of five lack a connection to nature at all, and three-quarters of children spend less time outdoors than is recommended for prison inmates. Playful Green Planet seeks to reverse this trend, starting with pilot sites in Hull and Dundee, inspired by the Forest of Imagination and mini Edens. 
     
    In Hull, the transformation will be led by leading experts from the University of Hull’s School of Education, Dr Isobel Reagan, Dr Lee Fallin and Dr Jo Traunter. Their goal is to support young children’s learning through the creation of ‘environments of inquiry’ across the University’s green sites on campus and the University Botanic Gardens in Cottingham, drawing on a strong network of pupils, teachers, schools and local authorities. 
     
    Dr Jo Traunter, Senior Lecturer in Education and Early Childhood, said:

    “This project is a fantastic opportunity for children and families in Hull to connect with nature in our green spaces. It also highlights the University’s expertise in this area of education. Our aim is to foster meaningful interactions with nature, translating into research that will transform how we work with children and families in green spaces.”

     
    Dr Isobel Reagan, Lecturer in Education and Childhood Studies, said: “We will be working with our partners in Hull and East Riding including children’s services, local academy chains, children’s charities, and the NHS trust. Students will additionally be involved, ensuring the continuation of Playful Green Planet’s work in schools and settings across the region, This will ensure that the green spaces and experiences are co-created with local children as well as social and environmental experts is key to this project.” 
     
    The ambitious project will be supported by the Eden Project who will bring its extensive experience in developing nature-based spaces and activities for children. Together, they will co-design these spaces with local communities, enhancing biodiversity, accessibility, and community engagement. 
     
    The first phase of this project will aim to reach 2000 children after the first year, with a view to expanding this reach to 200,000 in five years as the initiative secures partnerships for more sites around the country, working in partnership with the charity Land Trust. 
     
    Alan Carter, Chief Executive at the Land Trust, said: “This pilot study has the potential to be a game changer, and it’s all the more exciting to be working on plans with the project partners at this early stage to implement the learnings coming forward from this pilot. 
     
    “We’re committed to helping create a world where children and young adults know and value the environment around them, enjoy accessing the many benefits which they can receive from it, and in turn work to protect and enhance it.” 
     
    Joanna Choukeir, Director of Design and Innovation at the RSA, said:

    “We are so excited to begin work on Playful Green Planet and are enormously grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for the support to make this work happen.” 
     
    “With our partners in Hull, we want to equip a generation of young leaders with the confidence and capabilities to connect with, care for, and regenerate people, places and planet.” 
     
    Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: “We are delighted to work with the RSA on this landmark project which puts nature at the heart of a radical new approach to education. 

    “Playful Green Planet will start by transforming locations in Dundee and Hull, creating thriving outdoor classrooms to reach those children left behind my traditional education routes. We look forward to seeing this go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”

    Playful Green Planet is a pillar of the RSA’s Design for Life mission: to enable people, place and planet to flourish in harmony, and to create a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to a more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative future