Bring a Dose of the Outdoors into the Classroom with Nature Inspired Furniture

When students are given the opportunity to go outside and learn among nature, the restorative, social, and health benefits include:

●     Restoring attention and concentration

●     Relieving stress

●     Developing self-discipline

●     Improving engagement and interest

●     Increasing physical fitness

●     Promoting social connection with peers

●     Encouraging creativity and imagination

Considering most schools only allot an average of 25 minutes per day for recess, students spend the majority of their learning time inside each school day. Teachers and educators know the positive influence the outdoors can have on their students, that’s why many incorporate indoor plants and class pets as an integral part of their learning environment. Having access to these learning tools engages young scholars’ natural curiosity while making them feel comfortable and at ease while they work.

If you’re a teacher looking for additional ways bring a dose of the outdoors inside your class this fall, consider these nature inspired furniture pieces that will help spark discussions amongst young scholars about their environment while fostering their appreciation for the great outdoors!

This lifelike bookshelf provides a natural element to any classroom environment. As children make their book selections and cozy up to read around the Nature View Tree BookShelf, they can feel as though they are outside themselves. This easy-to-assemble bookshelf also provides a realistic tree image that is printed on clear acrylic panels, making it easy for adults to supervise the students who enjoy reading beneath its "branches." Furthermore, the rounded edges of the bookshelf ensure safety for all readers. This item pairs wonderfully with all other pieces of the award-winning Nature View Collection so that the classroom can be transformed into a true landscape.

Nature View Serenity Table by Whitney Brothers

The Nature View Serenity Table provides plenty of space for any daycare, preschool, or classroom activities on an incredible woodland scene. This vivid scenery allows children to read, color, create, and focus without distractions, and, just like the Nature View Tree BookShelf listed above, this table also includes an acrylic panel for maximum adult supervision. The open dimensions of the table and the detail in the artwork can also spark discussions of nature and the outdoors for all seated students, and the realistic backdrop can help readers and writers feel like they are actual characters in their stories. For added safety, this table is constructed with safe, shatterproof acrylic and birch plywood.

The realistic SoftZone Tree Tunnel and Climber Set ignites curiosity and imagination by encouraging active play on indoor equipment that looks like it was chopped from a real tree trunk! Young learners could imagine that they are deep in the forest, on a floating log in a river, or exploring the setting of their favorite story. The foam play set also allows babies, toddlers, and young children to develop their motor skills, strengthen their muscle movement, and practice their body control as they bump, sit, climb, crawl, and pull themselves along the sturdy foam structure. Best of all for adults, this foam playset is easy to clean with a mild soap-and-water solution or a bleach-free cleaning wipe.

This Backyard Bug Carpet is perfect for daycare, playroom, preschool, or classroom where carpet time is both frequent and important for young learners. During story time or daily check-ins on the carpet, children can build curiosity and engagement by feeling like they are actually outside sitting on the soft grass. The carpet features actual photographs of grass, leaves, and bugs to create the ultimate immersive experience without the concern of actual dirt and insects. Most importantly, the Microgard™ within the carpet protects against bacteria, fungi, and yeast all school year long!

If you find yourself struggling to fit the 6' Round, Backyard Bug Carpet by Flagship Carpets (or if you simply want as many carpets as possible) consider this Set of 24 Forest Floor Carpet by Flagship Carpets. These carpets give young learners an individual and personal experience with the outdoors that can help them tap into their deep imagination. In addition, the real photography that has been used to create these carpets and tree trunks transforms any classroom into a mossy forest floor for the entire class. Just like the Backyard Bug Carpet, these individual carpets include dust mite control for worry-free classroom use.

The Nature View Pod Rocker by Whitney Brothers is a nature-themed wobble stool that allows young learners to create movement while they sit, which in turn, improves their mental focus and engagement. The movement of the stool also promotes core strength, improves postures, and increases circulation and overall back health, and the 42-inch radius on the bottom rock prevents students from tipping over. Additionally, this fun and stylish alternative to regular classroom seating pairs wonderfully with Nature View's BookShelf and Serenity Table and will help your classroom feel like an authentic outdoor setting.