In today’s world, where screen time and structured activities fill so much of a child’s day, nature play offers a refreshing and essential opportunity for young children to explore, learn, and grow. Spending time in nature benefits children in profound ways—enhancing their physical, emotional, and cognitive development while fostering a connection to the environment. At Sunny Days Learning Academy in Boise, Idaho, we make nature play a priority with our spacious outdoor playground and activity areas, giving children ample opportunity to engage with the natural world. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of nature play, how Sunny Days incorporates it into our curriculum, and how parents can encourage nature-based activities at home to promote environmental awareness and physical well-being.
Nature play is more than simply spending time outdoors. It involves unstructured exploration, curiosity-driven discovery, and sensory engagement with the environment, all of which contribute to a child’s overall development. Research shows that children who play outside regularly are healthier, happier, and more resilient. They develop stronger motor skills, improved focus, and an innate sense of environmental stewardship. The natural world becomes an outdoor classroom that nurtures their curiosity, creativity, and connection to nature. At Sunny Days, we embrace the philosophy that outdoor play is fundamental to learning, and we strive to provide children with hands-on experiences that deepen their relationship with the earth and themselves.
One of the most immediate and visible benefits of outdoor play is physical health. Running, jumping, climbing, and balancing on natural terrain helps children develop core strength, coordination, and balance. Outdoor play also increases physical stamina and promotes cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of childhood obesity and related health issues.
At Sunny Days, our large playground includes natural features like grassy areas, rocks, and tree stumps, where children can practice climbing, hopping, and navigating uneven ground safely. The varied terrain not only challenges their motor skills but also boosts their confidence as they learn what their bodies can accomplish.
Nature play allows children to explore independently and make their own discoveries, which is empowering and fosters self-confidence. This sense of freedom is essential for emotional growth, as it teaches children to manage risk and become comfortable with new situations. Additionally, outdoor play encourages social interaction and cooperation, as children work together on activities like building forts, collecting leaves, or observing insects. These shared experiences build teamwork, empathy, and communication skills.
Our outdoor spaces at Sunny Days are designed to support both individual exploration and group play. Children are encouraged to work together to build “nests” from fallen leaves, observe nature’s creatures, or create their own adventures, all of which contribute to emotional resilience and social awareness.
In a natural setting, children are constantly engaging in problem-solving. They learn how to navigate obstacles, experiment with different ideas, and test hypotheses through hands-on play. For example, children might explore how to build a stable structure with sticks or experiment with the best ways to dig a small “river” in a sandbox. This type of unstructured play promotes critical thinking and cognitive flexibility, skills essential for academic success and lifelong learning.
At Sunny Days, nature play activities often include simple science experiments, such as observing how water flows or exploring how shadows change throughout the day. These activities help children learn cause and effect, spatial awareness, and observational skills in a way that’s both engaging and fun.
When children spend time in nature, they develop a deep-rooted respect for the environment. Through direct interaction with plants, animals, and ecosystems, they learn that they are part of a larger world that requires care and stewardship. Nature play helps children recognize the beauty and value of the natural world, fostering an appreciation for sustainability and responsible practices from an early age.
Sunny Days nurtures this environmental awareness by involving children in activities like planting flowers, observing local wildlife, and creating small gardens. These experiences teach children the importance of taking care of the earth and respecting all living things, instilling values that will serve them and the planet well into the future.
Nature play provides rich sensory experiences that are essential for young children’s development. Outdoor environments engage all five senses—children feel the rough bark of a tree, smell flowers, hear birds chirping, see vibrant colors, and even taste fresh herbs if they’re part of a garden project. These sensory experiences build neural pathways that strengthen sensory processing and help children make sense of the world.
Our outdoor space at Sunny Days is filled with elements designed to stimulate sensory exploration, including a sandbox, flower beds, and a water play area. These areas allow children to explore different textures, smells, and sounds in a natural, unstructured way, fostering sensory awareness and curiosity.
Outdoor play in natural settings stimulates creativity and imagination in ways that structured indoor play often cannot. Nature is filled with endless possibilities for imaginative play, whether it’s pretending a fallen branch is a magic wand or creating an imaginary world in the shadows of a tree. Nature inspires storytelling, role-playing, and creative problem-solving, encouraging children to think in innovative ways.
At Sunny Days, children are encouraged to create their own games, make “potions” from water and leaves, or simply explore their surroundings with a sense of wonder. By fostering creativity in this way, we help children develop their own sense of self-expression and adventure.
Our spacious outdoor area at Sunny Days Learning Academy is designed with Montessori principles in mind, offering a balance between structured learning and open-ended play. With grassy areas, climbing equipment, tree stumps, and garden spaces, children have the freedom to explore and play as they wish. Our daily routine includes dedicated time for outdoor exploration, encouraging children to engage with the natural world and participate in seasonal gardening projects, nature-themed crafts, and outdoor science experiments.
Parents can foster the benefits of nature play by incorporating similar activities in their own backyards or local parks. Here are a few simple ways to engage children in nature-based play at home:
1. Gardening Together: Even a small garden plot or a few potted plants can be a wonderful way for children to learn about the life cycle of plants. Encourage them to help plant seeds, water the plants, and observe growth.
2. Creating a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of things for your child to find, such as a certain type of leaf, a smooth stone, or a bird feather. Scavenger hunts engage their observation skills and promote curiosity about the environment.
3. Building with Natural Materials: Encourage children to collect sticks, leaves, and rocks to build small structures or create nature art. This activity fosters creativity and helps them see how natural objects can be used in different ways.
4. Exploring with Magnifying Glasses or Bug Catchers: Give your child a magnifying glass or a small bug catcher to explore their environment up close. Observing insects, flowers, and leaves at a close range is a fascinating way for them to learn about biology and develop patience and focus.
5. Cloud Watching and Storytelling: Lay a blanket in the yard and look at the clouds together. Ask your child what shapes they see and create stories based on the cloud formations. This activity nurtures imagination and teaches them to appreciate the beauty of nature’s fleeting moments.
Nature play is a vital part of early childhood development, offering endless opportunities for children to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. At Sunny Days Learning Academy, we see firsthand how time spent outdoors transforms children, fostering resilience, creativity, and a love for the environment. By providing children with the chance to play and explore outside, we are setting the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, environmental stewardship, and healthy habits.
Parents can easily extend these experiences by incorporating nature play at home. Whether it’s a simple backyard scavenger hunt or a visit to a local park, these activities offer meaningful ways to bond, learn, and create memories together. With each moment spent in nature, children build essential skills and develop a deep appreciation for the world around them. Through nature play, we give them the tools to grow into healthy, happy, and environmentally conscious individuals.
