Getting out into nature feels great, but it’s also really good for us. Children especially benefit from intentional interactions with nature, also known as nature play!
Nature play gets children active and stimulates thinking about the real world. It gives children a chance to connect with and appreciate natural environments, while exploring things that they’re innately curious or excited about. Nature play is highly beneficial for a child’s development, health and wellbeing.
In this blog post, we’ll look at what nature play is, why it’s important for children, and ways to get involved in nature play at Perth City Farm.
If you have a child aged 2-5 in your life, we’d like to invite you to join us at our Nature Playgroup every Saturday of Term 4 from 9-10.30am. Thanks in part to the Rotary Club of Subiaco, this family playgroup is going to be a fun exploration of nature play, stories, craft and connecting with the environment.
What is nature play?
Nature 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, a nature play educator who is facilitating our upcoming 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 nature play?
Nature 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.
Nature play ideas and activities
There are so many ways to ‘do’ nature play. Often the biggest enjoyment comes from letting a child follow their curiosities and engage in the ways they want to.
Here are some nature play ideas from Erin:
- Going on a nature scavenger hunt (who can find a honkeynut?)
- Making a boat 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
Term 4 Nature Playgroup at Perth City Farm
During Term 4, we’re hosting a very exciting Nature Playgroup every Saturday from 9-10.30am. 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.
A session may include:
- a welcome song and acknowledging country
- a scavenger hunt at the farm
- making nature art under the trees
- feeding the chooks
- singing a farewell song
During the sessions, we’ll explore:
- different play themes, acknowledging the process as opposed to outcomes
- rhyming songs
- the five senses
- making friends
- the importance of caring for the natural world and living sustainable lives
- getting to know Perth City Farm.
About Erin
Erin will be facilitating our Term 4 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. During the week, she works for Nature Play WA as the Learning and Engagement Consultant.
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. Nature 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 nature play?
We asked Erin why she loves her work in nature play. 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 play 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.
We run a couple of regular nature playgroups at the Farm, and we hope you’ll join us at one soon.
Term 4 Nature Playgroup
- Every Saturday of Term 4 (October 12 – December 14)
- 9-10.30am 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
- Entry by donation via Humanitix