All children need regular positive contact with nature, and water play is central to this
We see the study of water as a gateway to the study of life.
Our will is to allow water to support life more fully in every situation, and we believe that, by exploring the phenomenon of rhythmic flow, we are able grasp holistic principles in manifold phenomena. This reeducation of our thought allows us to become more fluid in our exploration of the living world as a whole.Â
The ‘water workshops’ we stage lead to a deeper understanding of the connections between water and life. Children especially can relate to this by engaging in interactive water play environments – not prescribed or over-engineered experiences, but ones that are open to exploration, self-discovery and natural connectivity. We aim to make this accessible to everyone through imaginative design, use of natural materials and ongoing product development.
Ebb and Flow make water playgrounds and portable Flowforms that provide an opportunity for education through water play in any setting. In educational settings, Flowforms provide children with the regular contact with nature that is so essential for their development.
Ebb and Flow also facilitate workshops and seminars for people of all ages, introducing them to concepts of geometry and physics alongside practical demonstrations of the great variety of forms of movement in water.
The task was to create a welcoming space at the entrance to the school, with an invigourating quality with the olympia form in the main feature and a quiet interactive space for the children with the Ovella Flowform at the head of a stream.
The coed workshop was as part of a natural interactive play area in a national park. A stream was diverted through the Malmo Flowform into a paddling area, which was constructed using stone from the local area. A day workshop was held where children were involved with the shaping of the feature. The morning was spent looking at the different flow phenomena as part of a water educational workshop. Â
The Viktor Flowform was installed as a central feature in a courtyard to create a powerful enlivening space at the heart of the school.
Flowstones are an innovation in water play equipment designed with natural river flow-patterns in mind as well as children’s creativity.
Flowstones stimulate the child’s imagination and practical ability through playing with sand, water and stone. A sand pit is ideal though other surfaces will do.
The material is reconstituted granite where careful hand finishing brings out the natural colour of the stone.Â
Flowstones require no power or plumbing. They can also be mounted on a fixed base with hand pumped water re-circulated to create a unique living ‘stream’ feature for indoors as well as outdoors.
Flowstones provide children with real experience of different natural water flow patterns.
© Design : Nigel Wells and Helene Aurell.
Designed in Sweden, produced in the UK by Ebb & Flow Ltd.
Weight: | 2.5kg each |
Colours : | Green, Cream, Red |
Price: £180 for a set of 6
The rocker was developed as a play form for people of any age. Adults and older children can stand on the bare form, rocking it with their feet, engendering beautiful double figure of 8 movements of the water within the form. For younger children and those with special learning needs, we have developed a special rocking boat which two chidren sit in, encouraging collaborative movement with the water as the children rock the boat.