Nature play and gardening for kids

Children are naturally drawn to nature, whether it be the beach, the bush or their own garden.

They can be immersed for hours exploring, discovering, collecting and getting dirty. Being out in nature inspires wonder, awe and curiosity and has benefits both in learning and wellbeing.

In our modern world, kids can often be limited in their opportunities to get out into their natural environment. In his book, Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv describes this phenomenon as ‘nature-deficit disorder’. He stresses the importance of getting children outside and explains the amazing benefit that being out in nature has on a child’s development. Research shows that more time spent in the natural world builds a child’s confidence, promotes creativity and imagination, teaches responsibility and reduces stress and fatigue.

Primary schools and early learning centres are aware of the social, emotional and academic benefits that getting our children outside brings and, increasingly, kitchen garden programs, bush school and nature play are being introduced. Even secondary schools are catching on and starting to introduce similar programs suitable for older students.

Education reformists and philosophers such as Rudolf Steiner, Loris Malaguzzi and Maria Montessori all promoted learning outdoors and firmly anchored gardening into the educational framework. The use of gardening by these visionaries is multifaceted and many areas of learning, both academic and social/ emotional, can be expanded from lessons in the classroom. 

Indigenous cultures know the value of educating children in the natural world and Australian Aboriginal cultures teach the value of observation, care and respect for the environment. This is not only for survival but helps build the knowledge, resilience and independence of each child.

“A child, more than anyone else, is a spontaneous observer of nature.”
Maria Montessori

Getting kids outside and sparking their interest

Vegetable gardens are a great place to start to encourage more connection to the earth. Getting involved in growing their own food, kids gain an appreciation of the stages a plant goes through, from soil preparation, seed germination and watering to harvesting, preparing and experiencing the exquisite tastes of home grown produce. There is no end to the natural wonders in the vegie garden – creating compost, worms, bees, insects, lifecycles, the array of flowers, different foliage colours and textures.

Children will tend to try different vegetables and fruits that they grow themselves – even the things they would not dream of tasting if bought in a shop. They can be completely present in the mindful process of shelling peas or double shelling broad beans, washing carrots, eating handfuls of cherry tomatoes, watching corn, pumpkins and sunflowers grow so fast in the warm soil.

Often just providing access to a space in nature is enough to bring about connection. Give kids the freedom to explore, allow them to get a little dirty and to not be too concerned about time. Just creating or providing an area allows for children to find their own adventure.

Outdoor exploration spaces could be:

• anywhere with water – the beach, rivers and streams
• in the bush with places for hiding, building and creating
• botanical gardens and parks
• in their own backyard
• space created on a porch or balcony with pots, soil, stones, sticks and plants

Nature connection

Whatever our descent, if we go back far enough, we all have ancestors who relied on knowledge of their land, the seasons and what could be grown and harvested at different times of the year.

To get children to start looking and understanding what is happening around them, and to see the changes and rhythms of nature, we can create a ‘seasons table’ or corner in the house. Things that depict the different seasons can be brought in, arranged and celebrated, then changed again as the weather shifts.

Creating deeper connections with nature fosters a deep love for the planet and therefore a commitment to its care. Connection brings the feeling of being a part of something bigger than themselves – being at one with nature.

Easy activities for tuning kids in to the wonders of nature

We can start simply by introducing them to the beauty of the outside world. Once their interest and passion is ignited, they will guide their own nature journey. Here are a few things that can spark their interest:

Sprout seeds – all they need is a jar, water, muslin cloth and some seeds. Start with alfalfa, radish, mustard, mung or pea seeds. They will geminate in a few days and kids can watch them grow on their windowsill, then enjoy them with lunch

Propagating plants on the windowsill – get kids to put succulent cuttings in a glass jar and watch their roots form. It is quite miraculous and fascinating for them to watch new plants grow from a small cutting. Indoor plants are great to propagate this way too and they look great around the house. Some good ones to try include devil’s ivy, cane begonias and spider plants.

Start a ‘seasons table’ – children can bring in any treasures that they find in nature, especially things that depict the season. In autumn this could be pinecones, fallen leaves, seed pods etc. The table display can be changed frequently, to reflect the ever-changing scenes in nature.

Outdoor time – encourage children to be outdoors as much as possible, regardless of the weather. Playing in the garden, walks in the bush, picnics down the beach. Allow plenty of time for exploration, wandering and creating.

Then there are times that they can simply get out and just be. Lay on the grass, go barefoot on the earth, or just sit, relax and experience the world with all senses. This is where deep connection to nature happens.