About Springzaad

Springzaad is a network organisation, bringing together all those interested to create more space for children and nature. Teachers at schools and preschools, nature educators, public servants, landscape architects, horticulturists are active in Springzaad.
Springzaad was founded in 2001, as a branch of the foundation Oase (‘Oasis’, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote more naturally designed gardens). Some of the main activities have been:
the organisation of excursions to best practice examples in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom;
  • the organisation of workshops at different locations, with a focus on designing natural school gardens and playgrounds, building with willow, designing a herb garden, etc;
  • the organisation of seminars, with themes like ‘challenge and security’, ‘child participation’, ‘step by step’;
  • the publication of an electronic newsletter (in Dutch only);
  • the launching of website;
  • the production and distribution of a so-called ‘Inspiration suitcase’: literally a suitcase containing 30 laminated photo collages, each of them displaying a wide range of practices, both in the Netherlands and countries like Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. The inspiration suitcase is an inspirational source for all those who want to create more challenging, adventurous, natural playgrounds in connection to schools, day-care centres, parks, etc. The suitcase is for use by the public and can be ordered through Springzaad;
  • the publication of the manual ‘Vrij spel voor kinderen and natuur’ (‘Free Play for Children and Nature’, published in 2007 with support of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, in Dutch only);
  • the organisation of the symposium ‘Vrij spel voor kinderen and natuur’ (‘Free Play for Children and Nature’) in October 2008, with international speaker Susan Humphries, initiator and former head teacher of the Coombes school in England.

    Since its start, the network of Springzaad has steadily grown. Springzaad provides a platform for all those working to promote natural play areas for children. Together we can make a difference!