What is Nature Play?
Citations:
Collado, S., & Corraliza, J. (2015). Children’s restorative experiences and self-reported environmental behaviors. Environment and Behavior, 47(1), 38–56.
Erickson, D., & Ernst, J. (2011). The real benefits of nature play every day. Exchange, (200), 97–100.
Horvath, D. (2014). Interpreting a movement. Legacy, 25(3), 26–28.
Kunzig, R. (2015). Climate change is here. National Geographic, 228(5), 8–15.
Louv, R. (2005). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. North Carolina: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
Louv, R. (2011). Reconnecting to Nature in the Age of Technology. The Futurist, 45 (6), 41-45.
Lovejoy, T. (2015). Why I’m bullish about Earth’s future. National Geographic, 228(5), 4.
Pergams, O.R.W. & Zaradic, P.A. (2006). Is love of nature in the US becoming love of electronic media? 16-year downtrend in national park
visits explained by watching movies, playing video games, internet use, and oil prices. Journal of Environmental Management, 80, 387-393.
Swaisgood, R., & Sheppard, J. (2010). The culture of conservation biologists: Show me the hope! BioScience, 60(8), 626–630.
Valentine, G., & McKendrick, J. (1997). Children’s outdoor play: Exploring parental concerns about children’s safety and the changing nature of childhood. Geoforum, 28(2), 219–235.
Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. United States: President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Wilson, E. O. (1994). Naturalist. Washington, DC: Island Press.
York, J., Asquith, L., & Chilcoat, E. (2014). Fears to Cheers: Interpretting the scary side of nature. Legacy, 25(3), 12–14.
What is Nature Play?
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Time spent outdoors playing in and with nature (Erickson & Ernst, 2011)
What does it involve?
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Child-led activities like:
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Imaginative play
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Building things out of natural materials
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Exploring hidden wonders in the grass (Louv, 2005)
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We all have an innate love for nature (Wilson, 1984), but what stops this?
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Safety concerns
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No access to natural areas (Valentine & McKendrick, 1997)
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Technology (Louv, 2005)
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Fears of wildlife (York, Asquith, & Chilcoat, 2014)
Nature play improves:
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Motor and social skills
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Attention span
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Symptoms of ADHD (Erickson & Ernst, 2011)
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Grades and test scores
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Problem solving and critical thinking skills
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Stress relief
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Personal motivation and confidence (Collado & Corraliza, 2015)
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Your mood (Swaisgood & Sheppard, 2010)
Why else is nature play important?
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Playing outdoors leads to a greater love for nature (Wilson 1994)
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This love for nature will lead to the development of behaviors that will help keep the Earth clean and healthy (Collado & Corraliza, 2015)
How can you get your family involved in nature play?
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For children to get the wonderful benefits of playing in nature, they need an adult role model to show them the way (Horvath, 2014)
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Let loose and don't be afraid to act silly! Rename the creatures you find in your backyard, build a fairy house, or dig a hole to China.
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Check out our Upcoming Events page and join us at one of our experiences!
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Check out our Nature Play Resources below!
Other Nature Play Resources:
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Download the free app, WildTime (found on apple and android) to look for ideas for nature play
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Come to our awesome WNY Family Nature Club events!
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The Wild Network has great information about the importance of getting outdoors as a family.
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Try out the 30 Days Wild 2016 Challenge everyJune! Commit to doing one "wild" thing every day for all 30 days of June. Try to extend that throughout the year!
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Check out these great Random Acts of Wildness cards, a part of the 30 Days Wild 2016 Challenge. Click on the pdf box to open --->
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The Children and Nature Network also has great resources about nature play.
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Read Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv or just check out his blog.
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Try some (or all) of the ideas listed on Pinterest under Nature Play.
Our Nature Play Resources:
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Activity sheet on birds
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Activity sheet on winter animals
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Activity sheet on winter tracking
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Activity sheet on plants