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Nature Play and Natural Playgrounds

What is nature play?

Nature play is play that happens amongst nature. Nature play typically involves exploring natural elements - such as plants, trees, water, earth, sand, and stones. Most often, nature play happens outdoors, where children can truly experience a natural environment. From feeling the breeze and breathing fresh air, to observing the changes in weather and seasons. Nature play excites all of the senses with sights, sounds, textures, scents, and tastes. It also challenges the body to navigate the various terrains of outdoor spaces. 

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Nature play and natural playgrounds

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Benefits of natural playgrounds

Benefits of natural playgrounds

  1. They help children to get acquainted with the local ecosystem

  2. They help children to appreciate and care for the natural world

  3. They help to reduce stress

  4. They help to focus attention

  5. They support active body movements in ways that aren't possible indoors

Webinars and white papers about play

Sensory Play: The why, how and what of sensory stimulating playgrounds

Play

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a children's play area with children playing on the playground.

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

Sensory Play: Science behind child wellbeing in playgrounds

Innovative products - The key to more play

truly inclusive section

Truly Inclusive: The Reward of Thrill in Universal Play Designs

Equality in play – Survey on playground use in children with disabilities

Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

Unleashing Creativity: Building Unique Playgrounds with KOMPAN Design Studio

Tweens love playgrounds: 5 new science-based practice tips for playground design

8 ways to encourage nature play in playgrounds

More Play and No Conflicts

Play value - the influence of playground equipment

The more thrilling playground

Play value increases with sensory play

Physical Activity Among Children in Early Years

Tweens love playgrounds

Unique play designs - Increase play duration

6 Tips to dramatic play outdoors

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school age playground

The risk-benefit equation of challenging playgrounds

The cover of a book about playground equipment

Families Love Thrilling and Sensory Playgrounds

A couple of girls climbing on KOMPAN play equipment.

Climbing activates tween girls - How to increase tween girls' physical activity

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