Nature-Inspired Playgrounds: Embracing The Great Outdoors
Updated on: August 24, 2023
As we grow ever-more conscious of sustainability and our relationship with the world around us, it makes sense to see a growing trend for nature-inspired playgrounds in schools, nurseries, and children’s play spaces.
What are nature-inspired playgrounds?
Long before plastics and metals were used in making play equipment, children always found things to enjoy in the natural world around them.
Nature-inspired playgrounds make use of the organic wonders the natural environment offers, incorporating them into nature-themed playgrounds filled with exciting things to explore.
Using natural materials such as: stones, bark, trees, water features, rocks and more, natural playgrounds create harmonious spaces which complement the surrounding environment.
Existing physical features, such as mounds and tree stumps, can be transformed into fascinating play equipment that stimulates every sense.
Different textures, natural smells, interesting shapes and even the capacity to generate sounds make natural play spaces particularly interesting for children of all ages.
Most natural playgrounds include additional purpose-built play equipment made from natural materials. These materials are usually presented in a form that’s as close to their organic state as possible so they retain plenty of character and interest.
For variety, many natural outdoor playgrounds include a combination of play surfaces.
Artificial grass is a popular option because it’s long-lasting and can be used in all weathers. Meanwhile, rubber tarmac (made from recycled rubber tyres) makes a superb companion for artificial grass, providing a surface that’s safe for all sorts of children’s play.
Although thermoplastic playground markings cannot be applied to rubber tarmac, we do have a range of nature-inspired designs to add colour and interest on any surrounding tarmacked areas.
Let’s take a look at popular natural playground ideas for children’s play spaces.
Nature-Inspired Playgrounds: Embracing The Great Outdoors
1. Natural Surfaces
Natural surfaces can do much more than add interest. With the right design, a range of organic materials can be used to create flooring which provides children with a gentle physical challenge as they move around.
A carefully designed playground with zones covered in flooring of different-sized pieces will help children to build important muscle strength.
Using a mix of gently undulating surfaces and yielding materials like sand, will help to build gross motor skills as children work harder to navigate the space.
2. Natural Climbing Equipment
Beyond the heights climbing equipment offers, nature provides children with lots of exciting ways to climb and explore.
Trees, tree stumps, boulders, mounds, hills and rubble mixes (which incorporate large pieces of rubble that stick out at points) give children the motivation to find their own way to get to the top.
The challenge to explore unusual surfaces and shapes provides children with lots of opportunities to build cognitive thinking. From problem-solving to creative-thinking, natural discovery is great for children’s cognitive development.
3. Tranquil Spaces
It’s easy to forget that there are many ways children play. When planning any type of playground it’s important to remember to include space for quieter play.
Don’t feel you need to fill every space. Zones with pathways and spaces for children to gather and use creatively are equally as important as those with equipment.
Water features, benches and trees can all help to turn a space into a welcome retreat for clusters of children as well as those who want alone time.
Children are fantastic innovators. Winding pathways, well-placed trees and decorative features can be used by children as inspiration for all sorts of imaginary play.
4. Positioning
No two organic objects are ever the same so nature gifts children with lots of interesting shapes to play with. That means when designing a natural play space you can be really creative about how you position and locate organic objects.
Vertical beams may look like posts to us but for children they can be great climbing apparatus, hiding equipment or aids for imaginary play.
Natural materials offer lots of flexibility for how they are positioned.
Use spacing to add challenge. Inspire children to explore how to use their body to take giant steps, jumps and leaps to get from one space to another to build spatial awareness and body strength.
As children learn how much their body can do, they’ll gain greater self-confidence and curiosity, both important skills for successful learning in all areas of life.
5. Interaction With Nature
We know so many children don’t get to spend enough time in nature so natural playgrounds are a wonderful opportunity for pupils to interact with the world around them.
Why not include a chicken coop, large planters, a vegetable patch or a bird feeder so children can spend some of their time looking after nature?
Studies have shown children who spend time in nature develop greater empathy for the world around them.
A 2019 study by The Wildlife Trusts, found regular contact with nature led to children having better relationships with peers and teachers as well as more confidence and improved wellbeing.
According to The Harvard University Center On The Developing Child:
‘Positive early experiences provide children with a foundation for building sturdy brain architecture, which supports a broad range of skills and learning capacities throughout the lifespan.’
In addition to the improvements to physical and mental health outdoor play brings, when we gift children natural habitats for play, we help them develop a love and respect for nature that will last for a lifetime.
To help you plan your space, take a look at our popular collection of playground markings and outdoor play equipment that’s ideal for nature-inspired playgrounds.
Jess Sparks
Jess is deeply committed to supporting our mission of positively impacting UK outdoor play environments to promote healthy lifestyles in children.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
Jess’ experience within the industry is instrumental in driving engagement and supporting connections with those who require ultra-durable, high-grade playground markings both locally and internationally.