Getting out into nature feels great, but it’s also really good for us. Children especially benefit from intentional interactions with nature. It gets active and stimulates thinking about the real world. It gives them a chance to connect with and appreciate natural environments, while exploring things that they’re innately curious or excited about. Connecting with natural environments is highly beneficial for a child’s development, health and wellbeing.
In this blog post, we’ll look at why outdoor play is important for children, and ways to get involved with nature education at Perth City Farm.
What is outdoor play?
Outdoor play is any activity that gets children active outdoors! It usually involves sensory experiences with natural elements such as air, trees, rocks, dirt or animals. It’s often unstructured and led by children, allowing them to explore their curiosities and move at their own pace.
Erin Pedretti, an early childhood educator who facilitates our Nature Playgroup, says that children usually feel both calm and excited when immersed in nature. They enjoy moving their bodies, exploring new interests, and discovering their surroundings without the pressure of assessments or comparisons.
Photography by Luke Riley Creative
What are the benefits of interacting with nature?
Outdoor play is beneficial for child development in many ways:
- Brain Development: Boosts cognitive skills like creativity, independence, decision-making, problem-solving, and imagination.
- Social Growth: Improves communication and social skills, while fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
- Physical Health: Enhances overall fitness, including fine and gross motor skills, through active play.
- Sensory Experience: Offers rich sensory stimulation and a unique sense of freedom that indoor play can’t provide.
- Learning and Well-being: Promotes educational growth, enjoyment, and a healthy, active lifestyle, essential for good mental health.
Outdoor play ideas and activities
There are so many ways to engage with outdoor play. Often the biggest enjoyment comes from letting a child follow their curiosities and engage in the ways they want to.
Here are some outdoor play ideas:
- Going on a nature scavenger hunt (who can find a honkeynut?)
- Making sculptures with natural materials
- Collecting nature textures with a paper and crayon
- Creating collages using leaves, flowers and other found elements
- Decorating fabric with nature prints using vegetables or fruit
- Planting seeds in an egg carton
- Messy play in sand, dirt or water
- Writing or drawing in the sand with sticks
- Free play
Photography by Luke Riley Creative
Nature Playgroup at Perth City Farm
Every Saturday of the school term, we host a fun and engaging Nature Playgroup in the Perth City Farm gardens. This playgroup is for children aged 2-5 with an accompanying adult and is made possible with support from the Rotary Club of Subiaco.
Facilitated by a wonderful educator Erin Pedretti, we will be doing lots playing, singing and creating while connecting with each other and nature. Each session is unique and inspired by real-life happenings on the Farm. We’ll learn how to notice, care for and enjoy the natural environment in our one-of-a-kind urban farm in the heart of the city.
A session may include:
- a welcome song and acknowledging country
- exploring the wilder parts of the farm and discovering treasures
- making nature art under the trees
- learning about worms, bees and other creatures
- using our senses to notice the natural environment around us
- free play and messy play (bring a change of clothes!)
About Erin
Erin facilitates our Nature Playgroup, and we’re so excited to have her passion and experience at the Farm. You may have seen Erin before at Storytime with Grandma Rosie, one of our school holiday programs or the Children’s Tree Planting Festival.
Erin is an experienced teacher who is passionate about children learning through play, especially playing outdoors in nature. Through her experience teaching in London and Perth, she has developed a strong understanding of early childhood development.
She’s seen firsthand the benefits to children who have unstructured time outside where they can climb trees, run at great speeds and connect with their natural environment. Outdoor play has also been part of her own journey: “I have fond memories of letting my imagination run wild in my back yard full of trees and playing on the Swan River. Now, as a parent to two young children, I spend weekends at the beach, rivers and parks.”
Why do you love outdoor play?
We asked Erin why she loves her work facilitating kids’ engagement with nature. Here’s what she said:
“I love seeing children immerse themselves in nature-based activities they wouldn’t typically try. It’s fulfilling to watch parents engage with their children while also stepping back to let them explore on their own, and then seeing the satisfaction that follows.
I enjoy watching both children and adults slow down from their hectic lives to appreciate the small details in nature. It’s an exceptional opportunity for growth and learning. What I value most is knowing that I’m helping shape future generations to care for each other, themselves, and the natural world.”
Photography by Luke Riley Creative
Nature education opportunities at Perth City Farm
We love welcoming little friends to the Farm where they can engage with the plants, animals and living soil.
When children are regularly engaging in nature play, it helps them build familiarity and routines. After attending nature playgroups at City Farm, children often feel inspired to recreate their experiences or explore new connections with nature at home.
Nature Playgroup at Perth City Farm
- Every Saturday during the school term
- 9-10am at Perth City Farm
- Ages 2-5 with an accompanying adult
- Tickets via Humanitix (discounts if you book a term pass to all 10 sessions)
Storytime with Grandma Rosie
- The second Wednesday of every month (with special school holiday programs)
- 9.30-10.30am at Perth City Farm
- Ages 0-5 with an accompanying adult (school holiday programs allow for children up to 11 years)
- Entry by donation via Humanitix