Nature is everywhere which means so too can art. Whether you are out in the backyard with the kids, the park, the beach, even just the sidewalk waiting for a bus there is nature around us. And with nature, both children and adults alike can express their creativity. A form of art inspired by nature is […]
Category: Outdoor Play
A secret swimming hole at Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek’s leafy green trees, trickling rock pools, flowing waterfalls and natural swimming holes will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Once a secret spot known only to locals, Brisbane families now come from near and far to visit this stunning location and enjoy some good old-fashioned nature play. Getting to Cedar Creek (near Samford) […]
Nature Play in early years education
Importance of Nature in Everyday Life For children, play is learning. There is no better space for kids to learn than the outdoors, and there is no better play resource than nature. One of the best lessons children can be taught in their early years is to play outdoors. Children innately reap great benefits as […]
Why playing in the mud is more than just fun
WHY PLAYING IN THE MUD IS MORE THAN JUST FUN As a child, I was drawn to MUD. Some of my fondest childhood memories saw me covered in the stuff, head to toe. Dirt and water… 2 very simple and basic ingredients have and continue to be the source of so much activity, creativity, joy, and […]
Toddler learning through nature play
Learning is not something limited to the confines of a classroom nor is it something that only occurs with paper & pen. My little man has only just turned two years old, but I know he has been exposed to many rich and varied learning experiences through having spent quality time outside in nature playing. […]
What does risk taking really look like in early childhood?
One of the biggest hurdles to outdoor play is understanding the nature of risk-taking. We run a nature immersion program called Birdwings, and have found that the most challenging risk-taking activities that children will experience in our programs has little to do with wild nature play at all. Snakes, fire-work, water-play and tree-climbing are not as challenging […]
Nature play is the developing brains superfood
The Beginning of the Nature Play Journey I could not have imagined how much I would learn when I began the journey of rolling-out Nature Play QLD February 14th, 2014. I have always loved nature and most of all immersing children in nature. Nature has been a life companion, a source of huge personal value. […]
Planning ahead for spontaneous play
The paradox of this blog title is not lost on me I assure you. It is however something I have had on my mind quite a lot lately. When we have such lovely outdoor play options right at our doorsteps, why is it that we can often find any excuse not to get outside? I think […]
3 Health benefits of unstructured outdoor play
In decades gone by, ‘playtime’ meant grabbing your bike and going on neighbourhood adventures with your friends until dark. In 2017 though, many children associated playtime with smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. However, the benefits of unstructured outdoor play are still incredibly multifaceted: 1. Outdoor play increases children’s fitness and helps combat obesity Just […]
The benefits of mud play – an Occupational Therapist’s perspective
It is a sad reality for many of our children that playing with mud is often discouraged or banned by well-meaning parents. Modern parents sometimes fear the unknown and seek safety in providing play experiences for their children that are considered less risky, and appear to be safer and more hygienic. Some see mud as messy and time […]