Wildflower Nature School
Wildflower Nature School
Silverthorne, Colorado
Year
Design Phase: 2026
Age Group
Toddler & Preschool
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Creating a sensory-rich environment for everyday play and development
This project began with a shared understanding. Children need more than traditional play spaces. They need environments that support how they move, explore, and make sense of the world.
At Wildflower, the goal was to create a natural playground that reflects how children naturally learn. Through movement, through sensory experience, and through connection to their surroundings.
From the beginning, the focus was on creating a space that engages the whole child.
Not just sight and sound, but the full range of sensory experiences that support development. Opportunities for climbing, balancing, and navigating space help build body awareness and coordination. Varied terrain and movement support balance and confidence. Natural materials introduce texture, temperature, and change, allowing children to explore in ways that feel real and meaningful.
This approach recognizes that many children today have fewer opportunities to engage with nature in their daily lives. Outdoor nature play has become more limited, and with it, opportunities for exploration, risk-taking, and independence.
The space at Wildflower is designed to respond to that.
It offers opportunities for big body movement, cooperative play, and open-ended exploration. Children are able to move freely, test their abilities, and build confidence at their own pace. From the aspens, pines, and spruces to granite boulders and rock formations that echo the surrounding peaks and valleys, every element encourages children to explore, discover, and connect with the landscape.
At the same time, the environment supports a wide range of needs. The playground design moves beyond standard accessibility, creating a space that is flexible, inclusive, and supportive of children with different abilities and developmental experiences.
There are areas for active play, as well as quieter spaces where children can step back, regulate, and reset. Natural elements such as log climbers, sand & water play, and plantings create a setting that feels grounded and calming, while still inviting curiosity and imagination.
This is a space that supports more than play.
It supports language development, problem-solving, social interaction, and emotional regulation. It creates opportunities for children to build resilience, develop a sense of belonging, and form a connection to the natural world. At Wildflower Nature School, the outdoor environment is not separate from learning. It is an essential part of it.
