Types of Play Part 4: Nature Play
How Grounds For Play Encourages Child-Centered Play

What’s the hallmark of playing in a natural setting? A child whose curiosity and imagination leads them on a wild adventure of fun and learning. From watching worms in the soil to balancing on a log, nature play is child-initiated and child-directed. It’s this child-centered approach to play that Grounds For Play believes is at the heart of a child’s growth and development.
How to Create a Natural Play Environment
Just like a classroom is carefully prepared by a teacher for learning, an outdoor play environment is carefully designed, beckoning the child’s innate desire to learn and explore. From the entrance, to the pathways, to the choice of play equipment and vegetation, each element is purposely selected and placed in a cohesive design that allows for multiple opportunities of learning.
Incorporating Natural and Manufactured Elements
A well-designed outdoor environment combines natural and manufactured elements, creating the perfect balance of natural and planned learning opportunities. Manufactured play equipment, although not truly reflective of nature, can benefit your children greatly and should be considered when planning your outdoor environment. An outdoor music area or an outdoor art area provide great sensorial and cultural opportunities and, if requested in earth tones, can easily blend into the environment! Thinking beyond the scope of traditional play equipment, manufactured elements can also include nature-inspired products such as faux stumps or faux stone planters. Faux natural elements are a great addition to your natural environment and can prolong the life of your play environment, as true natural elements tend to deteriorate over time.

Types of Play E-book
It’s important to incorporate the major types of play into your play environment in order to provide children with opportunities for growth and development. Learn how each type is beneficial from our Types of Play E-book written by our expert in child development, William H. Strader, Ed.D.
