Learning Experience
- Imaginary (outdoor) play
Material
- Bagged concrete (not rapid set)
- Large gauge chicken wire for the form work
- Black cement colouring (used at 50%)
- White spray paint
- Overhead transparency sheet with slits cut into it for the line markings)
- Scooter tyre (recycled)
- BYO Matchbox cars
Procedure
- Mark out the raceway pattern on the grass using spray paint.
- Dig out the grass and soil to the depth of the spade's blade. The concrete will need to be thick to withstand multiple children playing and walking on it after it is dry.
- Place the tyre in situ.
- Running plastic sheeting around the trench will held keep the concrete separated from the soil but is not essential on a project of this scale.
- Cut and then bunch the chicken wire into an semi-tube and run around the trench, so that the arch top is just below the surface of the ground.
- Mix the concrete and the black colouring aiming for a dark grey colour. Note the proportions of colouring to concrete used in case you require another batch.
- Pour or shovel in the concrete ensuring it feeds through the chicken wire all the way to the bottom of the trench.
- Smooth over the surface with a trowel.
- Once the concrete is dry, cut slots into an overhead transparency sheet, (or any plastic sheet), to be the template for the line markings.
- Spray on the line markings through the template slots.
Play Time
 |
| Paint in white over any wording on the tyre for effect |
 |
| Choose a shady spot to help keep the children out of the sun. |
More Project Ideas
Consider combining this project with the Miniature Paint Brick Village project.
