What is Nature Play? Learn from an Early Childhood Expert

June 10, 2023

Key Points

Nature play is the exploration and play in natural outdoor environments, such as parks, backyards, forests, fields, or beaches.

The benefits include supporting physical health, reducing stress, sparking curiosity, engaging the senses, and fostering a lifelong love for nature.

Whether it’s climbing trees, splashing in puddles, or observing tiny creatures, nature play offers endless play and learning opportunities. Let’s learn how nature play supports children’s growth, creativity, and connection with the natural world.

A child holds up stones during a nature play activity.

What is Nature Play?

Nature play is engaging in play and exploration in natural outdoor environments such as a park, backyard, forest, field, or beach.

Nature play can include hiking, camping, swimming, or simply exploring the outdoors. For children, nature play activities can consist of the following:

scavenger hunts
star gazing
planting seeds
playing in a mud kitchen
jumping in leaves
digging in the sand
collecting rocks or seashells
walking in a stream
sledding in the snow
searching for bugs
climbing trees
…and so much more!

Nature play has many benefits for kids, such as:

improving physical health and fitness
reducing stress
instilling a sense of curiosity
stimulating the senses
expanding attention

Get inspired to spend time in nature with these outdoor play quotes.

What Do Children Learn Through Nature Play?

Nature play is an incredible opportunity for children to learn and develop. By immersing themselves in nature, kids can explore interests, push their physical limits through risk-taking play, and engage in sensory-rich learning that brings STEM concepts to life.

Beyond academics, spending time outside expands empathy, instills a sense of environmental stewardship, and nurtures children’s imagination and creativity. Children can freely express their ideas in an unstructured play environment with almost limitless possibilities.

Examples of Nature Play

Children of all ages can participate in nature play. Check out these examples of nature play and discover fun learning ideas for your child or classroom.

Nature Play Ideas for Babies

Keep nature play for babies very simple! At this age, nature play introduces infants to the sensory experiences of spending time outside.

Here are some nature play activities appropriate for babies:

Sensory Nature Walk: Take your baby for a walk outdoors, allowing them to experience a variety of weather, sounds, and smells.
Tummy Time in the Grass: Find a safe, grassy spot for your baby to do tummy time outdoors. Place a blanket or mat on the ground, allowing them to feel the grass and soil while building muscles.
Nature Sensory Bottles: Create nature-themed sensory bottles for your baby. Fill plastic bottles with pinecones, feathers, or leaves, providing visual stimulation and a connection to the natural world.
Water Play: Set up a tray or shallow bin filled with water on a warm day. Allow your baby to splash their hands and feet while exploring the sensations of water.
Nature Sounds Exploration: Sit with your baby outside and listen to nature sounds together. You can support language development by talking about birds chirping, leaves rustling, or gentle breezes.
Nature Treasure Basket: Place 5 to 10 natural objects like seashells, rocks, pinecones, or wooden pieces in a bin. Your baby can explore these items, stimulating their sense of touch. Choose things that are not a choking hazard and supervise this activity closely. Get more treasure basket ideas.
Outdoor Picnic: Set up a cozy outdoor picnic for you and your baby. Spread a blanket under a shady tree, observe the surroundings, and enjoy a snack or meal together.

Nature Play Ideas for Toddlers

Toddlers are ready to participate in hands-on nature play activities. This means more exploring outside and nature-based sensory play indoors too!

Here’s a list of nature play activities perfect for one-year-olds and two-year-olds:

Sensory Nature Walk: Take your toddler on a walk to smell flowers, splash in puddles, touch trees, and listen to birds and rustling leaves.
Leaf Rubbings: Collect leaves while playing outside and bring them home. Place a leaf under a piece of paper and show your toddler how to use crayons to reveal interesting leaf patterns.
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Take off on a nature scavenger hunt! Look for treasures while learning about nature. Check out our nature scavenger hunt templates and blank scavenger hunt templates.
Mud Kitchen: Set up a space for your toddler to dig, mix dirt and water, and make mud creations. You can use a play kitchen or keep it simple with pie pans and kitchen utensils.
Nature Art: Offer your toddler leaves, twigs, or flowers to use as paintbrushes to create nature-inspired artwork.
Bug Exploration: Toddlers are always curious about bugs! Encourage toddlers to be gentle while they observe bugs in a natural habitat. Use bug viewers or magnifying glasses for a closer look. Check out these bee activities for more fun!
Nature Music: Collect natural objects like sticks, rocks, and shells to create a simple instrument set. Invite your toddler to experiment with different ways to make sounds and rhythms.
Nature Sink & Float: Set up a shallow water container or use a kiddie pool outdoors. Provide a collection of natural objects to see what sinks and what floats!
Nature Storytime: Create an immersive reading experience by taking your favorite outdoor play books outside!
Play in the Rain: Toddlers will love the sensory-rich experience of playing outside during a warm rain. They can catch water, splash in puddles, and watch the world around them change.

A child walks on a log during a nature play activity.

Nature Play Ideas for Preschool & Kindergarten

At this stage of play development, children are ready to use props and nature objects to engage deeper in nature play. Preschoolers and Kindergarteners are also ready to learn how humans can help (or hurt!) the environment.

Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of objects found in nature and explore to find or even collect the items. Start with one of our nature scavenger hunts! Save the objects in a sensory bottle or start a nature loose parts collection.
Building Bug Houses: Encourage children to use natural materials like sticks, leaves, and flowers to construct homes for tiny creatures. Children can observe and learn about bugs while also using their imagination.
Sensory Nature Walk: Encourage children to engage their senses by observing and exploring different textures, smells, sounds, and even flavors in nature. Engage the vestibular and proprioceptive senses too through activities like rolling down hills or moving heavy branches or stones.
Nature Art: Provide art supplies like paper, crayons, and watercolors for children to create artwork inspired by nature. Encourage them to draw or paint landscapes, flowers, or animals they encounter.
Nature Storytelling: Children can use nature to inspire storylines, fictional characters, story props, and settings. Find an interesting outdoor space and invite children to create and share stories based on their surroundings.
Outdoor Science Experiments: Children can participate in hands-on experiments outside. Nature studies based on plant growth, butterfly lifecycles, or the water cycle are appropriate learning experiences for young kids.
Nature Field Trips: Visit a local nature park, nature center, urban green space, botanical garden, or nature preservation.
Nature Photography: Introduce early learners to basic photography concepts. Children can use cameras, phones, or tablets to capture photos of plants, wildlife, or natural scenes.
Nature Journaling: Children can carry a notebook or clipboard to document their observations, thoughts, and feelings about the natural world. Invite them to sketch or record their experiences.

Check out my Types of Play post for a comprehensive understanding of childhood play. Elevate your approach to parenting or teaching with expert insights and practical tips.

Nature Play Tips & Safety

Here are some essential safety tips for nature play with children:

Choose age-appropriate environments: Select natural settings suitable for your child’s age and developmental stage. Always actively scan the area for possible hazards.
Dress appropriately: Dress your child in clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor play. Consider the weather and dress children in layers to quickly adapt to weather changes. According to LiveWellWithKrystal.com, protective clothing and safe sunscreen can reduce the harmful effectives of the sun.
Be mindful of allergies: Educate yourself about common allergens in the natural environment, such as specific plants, insects, or pollen. Take precautions if your child has known allergies or sensitivities.
Stay hydrated: Encourage regular water breaks, especially during hot weather or physical activities.
Supervise actively: Always supervise your child closely during nature play.
Teach respect for plants and wildlife: Teach your child to observe wildlife from a safe distance. Talk to children about how to respect animals’ homes and the importance of coexisting harmoniously with nature.
Watch out for poisonous plants: Familiarize yourself with poisonous plants commonly found in your area, such as poison ivy or poison oak.
Check for ticks and other insects: Carefully check your child for ticks or insect bites after nature play. Use insect repellents to minimize the risk of bites.
Be prepared for emergencies: Carry a basic first aid kit with essential supplies during nature outings. Familiarize yourself with basic first aid techniques and be ready to handle minor injuries or emergencies that may occur.
Teach and model responsible behavior: Instill a sense of responsibility and safe behavior in your child. Teach them to respect boundaries, be aware of their surroundings, and make safe choices while playing outdoors.

Whether exploring parks, nature preserves, or even urban green spaces, nature play provides countless opportunities for discovery, investigation, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Nature play inspires conservation and environmental stewardship, starting in a kid’s own backyard adventures. Parents and educators can involve kids in local conservation efforts, empowering them to make a real impact in their communities.