Welcome to the world of nature play, where nature becomes the ultimate playground for kids! Whether on a camping adventure, visiting the local park, playing in the backyard, or day-tripping to a National Park or nature reserve, there are many opportunities to engage in nature play. In this article, I will delve into ten nature play ideas that will ignite your child’s creativity while connecting with the wonders of nature play!
- Benefits of Nature Play for Kids
- Nature Play Activities for Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoors:
- 1 – Mud
- 2 – Leaf Skirt
- 3 – Leaf Crown
- 4 – Bug and Animal Hunt
- 5 – Rock or Log Hopping
- 6 – Building a Cubby Shelter
- 7 – Hunting for Gold!
- 8 – Tree Climbing
- 9 – Build a Bower Bird Nest
- 10 – Bushwalking Adventure
- Outdoor Nature Play for Kids Aged 8 to 15 Years
Benefits of Nature Play for Kids
Nature play offers many positive benefits, including reduced stress, increased creativity playing with organic materials, and reducing plastic toy use while breaking away from electronic devices. It’s not just about dancing amidst the trees and flowers; it’s a powerhouse of benefits packed with fun!
Reduce Stress with Nature Play:
Firstly, Nature Play creates a bond with the outdoors that even Bear Grylls would envy, creating an early respect for our planet. Let’s think stress reduction – pause those screaming, tear-filled tantrums because nature’s calm vibes have your back, helping reduce stress with calm breezes through the trees!
More seriously, studies have shown that spending time outdoors amidst natural surroundings can significantly lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. By immersing children in the beauty of nature, we create opportunities for them to unwind, recharge, and reconnect with their curiosity and allow exploration. Nature Play provides a holistic approach to well-being, brimming with countless benefits and endless possibilities for fun and growth.
Boosting Creativity and Physical Activity With Nature Play:
But there’s more: Nature play fuels creativity, igniting little and big imaginations and problem-solving skills faster than you can say “stick sword”. This leads to nature play’s eco-friendliness, saving the planet one plastic toy at a time! Who needs an expensive indoor playground or toys when you have nature? Nature play encourages outdoor adventures, with even the most lounge-loving kids embracing their inner explorer while getting a vitamin D fix.
Ditch the Screens for Nature Play:
Nature play helps with the greatest battle of all: screen time! It’s like a digital detox wrapped in a hug. By ditching the devices and stepping into nature’s wonderland, kids can sharpen those social skills, strengthen family bonds, and create memories that will have them reminiscing well into their hunchback-free future. So get ready for these life-changing nature play ideas…
Nature Play Activities for Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoors:
While immersing ourselves in Nature Play, it’s important to tread lightly and avoid harming existing plant life or trees. We want to teach respect and cherish the natural environment and its beauty.
1 – Mud
It doesn’t get much easier or more fun than good old dirt and water. Feel the squelch, and get creative!
- Mud face paint
- Build a mud nest
- Make mud patties or easter eggs!
- Build a mud castle or cave
2 – Leaf Skirt
To make a leaf skirt, collect a long, supple branch or piece of grass long enough to fit around the child’s waste. Collect some leaves, green or dried leaves. Feed the leaves onto the branch or grass. Tie the ends around the child’s waste. Now play a game and pretend to be a fairy, a forest King or Queen, a ballerina or whatever creative character comes to mind!
3 – Leaf Crown
The leaf crown can go with the leaf skirt. Using the same steps as above, make a leaf crown that will fit your child’s head. If there are flowers around, this could be a great addition to the crown!
4 – Bug and Animal Hunt
Take a little adventure around your location and see how many bugs you can find, from beetles to ants to butterflies. Take the opportunity to look for birds, kangaroos, or koalas—there is much to be discovered, so keep your eyes peeled!
5 – Rock or Log Hopping
If rocks or logs are around your location, it can be fun to walk along logs like a bridge or hop onto rocks and jump off pretending to be a rock climber.
My daughter seems to craft these Nature Play wonders on her own. I witness her imaginative flair while engaging in nature and activities outdoors.
Felecia Road Trips Australia
6 – Building a Cubby Shelter
It can’t get much more fun than creating an outdoor shelter, and the parents can get involved, too! Find large sticks to place against an existing tree or log as the main structure. Layer sticks and leaves over them to create a cubby shelter roof, perfect for a hideout!
7 – Hunting for Gold!
‘We’re going on a gold hunt, and we’re going to find a big one. We’re feeling lucky!’
A gold treasure hunt can be fun and engaging. Even if no gold is found, another interesting rock may catch the eye and serve as a great souvenir of the adventure outdoors.
Gold panning is also a great activity with access to a river and a sandy bank. Gold pans are affordable, and you can search “How to Pan for Gold” on YouTube. Once again, parents, get involved; you may even strike it lucky!
8 – Tree Climbing
There is something about climbing a tree that creates childhood memories! If there is a suitable tree that is strong and has low branches, it would be perfect for climbing! Remember to supervise kids, ensuring they don’t climb too high and can get down safely.
9 – Build a Bower Bird Nest
This collection of interesting things can be found around the area. First, dry grass, bark, moss and sticks can be collected and moulded into a nest shape. Next, add your found interesting natural trinkets to the nest. These may include small flowers, interesting rocks, unique leaves, shells, and whatever sparks interest.
10 – Bushwalking Adventure
Embarking on a bushwalking adventure is fun! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and get active. You may encounter a natural obstacle course along the trail, perfect for rock hopping, navigating tree roots, and crossing creeks. The journey may lead you to breathtaking sights like waterfalls or scenic lookouts. Check out our complete guide to Bushwalking With Kids before you head out; it is packed with valuable tips for a successful experience.
Following our outings in nature, I’ve observed a positive shift in my daughter’s behaviour; she displays greater emotional stability and an increased acceptance of guidance.
Felecia Road Trips Australia
Outdoor Nature Play for Kids Aged 8 to 15 Years
As our children get older, their interests will change. For older kids, nature still offers an exciting opportunity for outdoor activities and disconnecting from those screens. Here are some ideas:
1 – Bushwalking, Hiking or Bike Riding: Try longer, more challenging hikes or bike riding along bush trails.
2 – Star Gazing: See who can find the constellations or spot a shooting star.
3 – Water Activities: Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, or knee boarding.
4 – Campfire Cooking: Get the kids involved with cooking outdoors.
5 – Nature Photography: Take a camera or smartphone camera and capture nature’s beauty!
6 – Orienteering and Navigation: Teach older kids how to use maps and compasses.
7 – Fishing: Learn how to cast a line and catch a fish! Yabbying is also fun.
8—Environmental Education: Use this opportunity to educate kids about environmental conservation. Discuss ecosystems, biodiversity, and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
To conclude this captivating world of nature play, the natural world transforms into a playground for children’s imagination and exploration. Throughout this article, we’ve explored ten inspiring nature play ideas, each fostering creativity, physical activity, and a deeper connection with the natural world. From benefits such as stress reduction and enhanced creativity to the invaluable experience of ditching screens for genuine outdoor engagement, nature play offers children an array of enriching experiences. So, let’s embrace the joy of making leaf crowns, constructing cubby shelters, embarking on treasure hunts, scaling trees, and venturing into the wilderness through bushwalking and hiking. Through these activities, children and families may discover the profound beauty and endless possibilities nature play offers, igniting a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
