Whether children are digging for worms, climbing a tree, listening to wind chimes, or counting the number of bugs on a log, their imaginations and curiosity are fully engaged outdoors in ways that are very different from in the classroom. Teaching teams, parents, and families will find that an outdoor play space is more than a place to play. When you learn and teach with Mother Nature at your side, you open the door to endless possibilities for children and for yourself.

Great nature play doesn't require elaborate and expensive play spaces! Even a limited outdoor area can be affordably enhanced for nature play, using common materials and plants to create a young child's heaven that is chock-full of small-scale wonders and magical discoveries. Try the suggestions in this brochure, and then add your own ideas over time! 25 Easy Ideas for Nature Play for Early Childhood Centers

Last Updated: March 5, 2020