Bringing Nature into Play: How the Outdoors Can Help Your Child Learn and Grow

Posted by Waves Early Learning- Nikki

At Waves, we often talk about the importance of play in early childhood. But there’s one kind of play that holds something extra special: nature play. Whether it’s collecting sticks in the backyard, watching birds from a window, or jumping in puddles after the rain, nature has a unique way of helping children grow, explore, and thrive.
In this post, we’re sharing why nature-based play is so beneficial—and how you can bring more of it into your home, no matter where you live.

Why Nature Play Matters
Children are naturally curious, and nature offers endless opportunities to explore and discover. Unlike toys with fixed purposes, natural materials like rocks, leaves, and water invite creativity and imagination. But that’s just the beginning.

Here are a few key benefits of nature based play for young children:

It supports healthy development
Climbing, digging, balancing, and running all help build strength, coordination, and motor skills. Children who regularly move their bodies outdoors are more likely to develop healthy habits for life.
It encourages imaginative thinking
Natural objects don’t come with instructions, so children can turn a stick into a magic wand or a pile of dirt into a birthday cake. This kind of open ended play builds creativity and problem-solving skills.
It builds emotional resilience
Being in nature helps children regulate their emotions. Studies have shown that green spaces can reduce stress, increase focus, and support mental wellbeing.
It teaches responsibility and care
Tending to a garden, feeding birds, or simply watching insects teaches children to care for living things and understand their role in the natural world.
It connects children to their environment
Nature play helps children build a relationship with the world around them. This early connection often grows into a lifelong respect for the environment.

Bringing Nature into Your Home
You don’t need to live near a forest to offer your child the benefits of nature play. Even small, simple changes can bring nature closer to home. Here are some easy ways to get started:
Indoors

Create a nature basket: Collect leaves, stones, feathers, and shells during walks. Place them in a basket or tray where your child can touch, sort, and play with them.
Start a mini garden: Plant herbs or easy-to-grow veggies in pots on a windowsill or balcony. Children love watching seeds grow into something they can taste or smell.
Try nature-inspired crafts: Use twigs, flowers, or seeds in art projects. Press leaves into playdough, make a nature collage, or paint on stones.

Outdoors

Set up a mud kitchen: Use old pots, pans, and spoons for imaginative cooking with dirt, leaves, and water.
Organise a scavenger hunt: Make a simple checklist of things to find outside—like a smooth rock, something that smells nice, or a leaf with holes.
Go bug spotting: Lie on the grass and see what insects you can find. Ask your child questions like “Where is it going?” or “What do you think it eats?”

Even a small space like a front porch or courtyard can be turned into a nature play zone with just a few potted plants, natural materials, or a water container for birds.

Where to Learn More
If you’re curious about how to support your child’s nature play journey, these resources offer helpful ideas, activities, and information:

Nature Play Australia – www.natureplay.org.au
A go-to resource for outdoor activity ideas and downloadable guides for families.
Raising Children Network – www.raisingchildren.net.au
Offers articles about nature-based learning and how it supports child development.
1000 Hours Outside – www.1000hoursoutside.com
Encourages families to spend more time outdoors together and provides creative ways to track it.
Your local library or community garden
Many libraries and gardens offer free workshops, activity kits, or nature discovery programs for young children.

Nature play isn’t about having the perfect outdoor space or the right equipment. It’s about slowing down, getting curious, and letting your child explore the world around them. Whether it’s watching clouds, feeling the grass between their toes, or collecting acorns on a walk, these small moments help shape confident, creative, and connected little humans.We hope this inspires you to bring a little more nature into your child’s day. If you have any favourite nature play ideas, feel free to share them with us at drop-off, or send us a message—we’d love to hear what your child discovers next.