Connecting children to nature and participating in nature play
Jan 2026
Written by Chris Hutchinson
In today’s climate of high screen use, reduced access to outdoor and green spaces, and ongoing safety concerns, children spend far less time playing and exploring outdoors. Many families are under pressure, and for those living in high- and medium-density housing, access to natural spaces can be limited. This makes it even more important to support parents, carers and educators to find practical ways for children to engage with nature.
What is nature play?
Nature play is freely chosen, child-led, and unstructured. It can happen in the bush or forest, green spaces like parks, beaches, wetlands, or snowy mountains, and, of course, in your front or backyard. It is less about the setting and more about children having time and permission to explore.
When access to the outdoor spaces is limited, everyday activities can still support connection to nature and provide opportunities for play. A walk around the neighbourhood can become an opportunity to notice seasonal changes, birds, plants, or insects. Use this time to mindfully explore nature; what flowers are growing in the gardens, what birds can you see or hear, what season is it, can you discover any creatures (lizards, bees, ladybirds, etc.). Commenting on what you observe, feel, see, and notice helps children open their awareness to the environment and nature.
Regular exposure to nature allows children to experience its beauty, unpredictability, and fragility. Through outdoor play, children naturally engage their senses: what they can see, hear, smell, touch, and sometimes taste, supporting curiosity and learning.
What does the research say?
Research consistently shows that connecting children with nature promotes their physical and mental health, and well-being, and that this can be especially helpful for children who are dealing with stress or adversity.
“Being largely unstructured and child-led, nature play encourages children to explore their emotions and imagination, and to develop autonomy and decision-making skills (Alme & Reime, 2021; Aslanian et al., 2020; McClain & Vandermaas-Peeler, 2016). Nature play provides children with rich sensory experiences and the opportunity to deepen their ecological knowledge (Beery & Jørgensen, 2018). Children are encouraged to overcome minor challenges and risks, and this can improve self-confidence and lead to positive emotions such as joy (Coates & Pimlott-Wilson, 2019; McClain & Vandermaas-Peeler, 2016).”
Source: AIFS – Engaging young children (0-5 years) in nature play Practice Guide, November 2023
Open-ended and flexible outdoor and natural spaces enable us to respond to children’s socio-emotional and physical needs and interests. These outdoor learning environments can decrease children’s levels of fear, anger, or aggression.
Nature play is also referred to as outdoor play, and being outdoors offers unstructured freedom, uncertainty, and challenge to entice and satisfy the curiosity of children. Nature and outdoor play supports healing from trauma by promoting sensory stimulation, supporting calming and regulation, awakens a sense of curiosity, encourages problem solving, and reduces stress.
Nature play supports the adult-child relationship
Nature play also creates valuable opportunities to strengthen the adult-child relationship. Because outdoor play is typically slower, less structured, and less task-focused, it allows adults to be more present and responsive. Without the pressures of schedules, screens, or performance, adults and carers are better able to observe, listen, and follow a child’s lead.
Shared experiences in nature support attuned interactions. Walking together, noticing wildlife, collecting natural objects, or problem-solving small challenges side by side encourages conversation and cooperation.
Nature play can reduce relational tension. Outdoor environments often lower arousal levels for both adults and children, making it easier to regulate emotions, and repair. When adults and children co-regulate in these settings, it supports trust and emotional development.
Our new workshop
Now is the time to reflect and reimagine the unique learning and healing opportunities and the benefits the outdoor environment and nature play provides. Our new workshop ‘Nurturing through nature, supporting trauma healing’ launches in 2026 and equips participants with knowledge in being able to implement natural and outdoor experiences to support trauma recovery.
Training: https://learn.childhood.org.au/training/nurturing-through-nature-supporting-trauma-healing/
For a hands-on guide to exploring nature with children, you can download our free resource, ‘Adventures in nature’, which encourages outdoor exploration. Learn about birds, star gazing, clouds, and more, and use it to plan your own nature activities.
