Nature Based Play

At Nature’s Nest Preschool, we believe that nature is not just a backdrop for play—it is a powerful teacher. Our nature-based play approach is built on the understanding that children thrive when given the freedom to explore, create, and discover in the natural world.

Why Nature-Based Play Matters

Children today often spend more time indoors than ever before, but research shows that outdoor, nature-rich experiences are essential to healthy development. Nature-based play provides children with opportunities to:

  • Build physical strength and coordination through climbing, running, balancing, and digging.
  • Develop creativity and imagination as they transform sticks, stones, and leaves into tools, art, and stories.
  • Strengthen problem-solving and resilience by taking risks, navigating challenges, and experimenting with ideas.
  • Nurture social and emotional growth through cooperative play, shared discoveries, and moments of wonder.
  • Foster a lifelong respect for the environment by building a direct connection with the earth, plants, and animals.



How It Looks in Our Setting

Our outdoor spaces are designed to encourage exploration, with climbing structures, mud kitchens, gardens, music walls, and a small community garden area filled with native plants and vegetables. Here, children can:

  • Engage in open-ended play using natural materials like logs, sand, water, and stones.
  • Participate in seasonal gardening and harvesting, experiencing firsthand the cycles of growth.
  • Explore outdoor classroom that extends our indoor learning into the natural environment.
  • Enjoy the freedom to create, take risks, and discover at their own pace.