How are natural playgrounds different?

We are all curious about the natural world and how it works. There is very little in our lives that is unaffected by nature. Weather dictates our choice of clothes, our buildings battle the elements, food comes from the soil, water comes from ponds or underground reservoirs, and we sleep when the sun goes down.

When thunder rolls, or frost forms on a window pane, or a rivulet of water takes a new course, or a leaf falls, or a bee lands on a flower, or wind blows hair or makes a leaf tornado, kids of all ages want to know why.

Why is the sky blue? Why does the rain make noise? Where does the water go? How do you make bricks? How do you make a lean-to out of sticks? Where do ants go? Why is grass hollow? How come things grow? Why is a caterpillar fuzzy? How do you build an igloo? Why does it feel cozy crawling under a bush? Why is it so exciting to run through the grass? How can a conversation with a friend feel so intimate when we’re sitting on a log right in the middle of things?

Young people should be learning about these things when they’re outside, not just when they’re taking a class, but also when they’re relaxing or playing.

Natural Playgrounds use natural landscapes as their model, and incorporate as many of the following features as possible:

• Topography is sculptured, transformed to include hills and berms, stone walls, sand pits, water courses, mud areas, and natural amphitheaters.
• Vegetation is enhanced by indigenous, summer and winter trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, vegetables, and other garden plants, all of which should be designed to attract wildlife.
• Landscaping includes boulders, levels and tiers, benches, rain, flower, vegetable, and herb gardens, path systems, grassy areas.
• Structures include gazebos, pergolas, arbors, gateways gazebos, stages, game tables, and climbing walls.
• Outdoor Art starts with a well-designed framework for the entire play area and then includes mural walls, play sculpture, environmental weaving panels, sound gardens, land and vegetative sculptures, and reflecting "pools."
• Learning tools include sundials, rain gauges, nature trails, and lots of loose parts.

Play areas include places for old-fashioned games, group sports, and challenge and fitness courses.

All of these features and elements dramatically change both the way your outdoor area looks, but also how your children play and learn while interacting with the natural world.

Research proves that children playing in nature improve their overall wellbeing, their ability to learn, their resourcefulness, their imagination, and their health, so why wait??

Make the change now. And if you need help, we're just a phione call away 888-290-8405, or an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..