My children’s absolute favorite spot to play is a heritage park located about 30 minutes from our house. The journey includes a trek down a steep, slick hill made of yellowish clay, which eventually leads to a stunning clearing featuring a gentle 8-foot waterfall, a small creek, stumps, sticks, trees, diggable sandy soil, and rocks perfect for climbing. My kids erupt with joy at the sight of the waterfall, while I settle beneath a tree for at least two hours, soaking in the moment as they explore.
They run, leap, shout, dig up acorns, float objects in the creek, and play with pebbles while tracing fossils. They carefully scan for snakes before climbing on the rocks. Their search for crawfish and minnows usually ends in disappointment, but the adventure is always worth it. Afterward, we make our way back up the hill—muddy and exhausted, sipping water from our Nalgenes as we go.
This heritage preserve is the closest thing to a natural playground we have in our entire state, and I believe my kids’ affection for it is no accident.
What Are Natural Playgrounds?
Natural playgrounds, as described by PDX Parent, swap out conventional metal and plastic equipment for “sticks, stones, water, sand, logs, and stumps.” These parks have been quite popular in Europe and are now gaining traction across the United States. Although it’s hard to determine the exact number of natural playgrounds in the U.S., the movement is clearly on the rise.
Playtime often looks like this: USA Today shared a story of a 4-year-old named Lily who fills a bucket with sand, adds some water from a nearby spigot, and tosses in some wood chips, exclaiming, “I’m making soup!”
My kids love digging in the dirt with sticks and trying to climb trees. They make mud and use it as paint. They would fit right in with the kids in a survey conducted by Natural Playgrounds, where children listed their favorite outdoor activities. The top choice was “Being Quiet,” which included drawing and finding sticks to carve. Following that was “Building/Inventing Things,” which encompassed fort-building and treehouses. “Climbing” came in third, with kids eager to scale trees, mountains, and anything else they could find. Exploring, digging, and playing near water were also frequently mentioned. Interestingly, no one cited monkey bars or swings, perhaps because traditional playground equipment just doesn’t cut it anymore.
The Benefits of Natural Playgrounds
According to the journal Child Care Information Exchange, children require constructive play: activities that involve the manipulation of materials to create new things, such as making mud pies, digging in sand, or collecting rocks. Constructive play fosters essential skills and cultivates flexible problem-solving abilities, yet it’s often scarce in standard playgrounds.
USA Today reports that child development experts highlight that playing with natural loose parts—like sticks, stones, and mud—enhances creativity and autonomy in children. In essence, engaging with nature is beneficial for their developing brains.
Nature Play WA emphasizes that natural playgrounds offer more opportunities for children to develop their gross motor skills compared to traditional swing-and-slide setups. Moreover, researchers at the University of Washington have found that exposure to nature is linked with numerous health benefits for kids, including enhanced cognitive function, increased creativity, better interactions with adults, reduced ADHD symptoms, and lower aggression levels.
Additionally, studies indicate that children who spend more time outdoors are less prone to illness, depression, or anxiety. They tend to behave better, are more physically active, and exhibit improved relationships with peers, which can help decrease bullying behavior. Simply put, you want your child outdoors as much as possible.
Addressing Skepticism
Of course, there are some skeptics. A senior landscape architect from Seattle Parks and Recreation mentioned to USA Today that sand, a cave, and a hill alone aren’t sufficient for children (well, of course). Parents often request conventional equipment. Joe Marshall, a retired education professor and board member of the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association, argues that natural spaces alone might not fulfill all developmental needs, claiming that certain skills are best learned on structured equipment. While I understand the appeal of traditional climbing structures and slides, it seems we thrived just fine without manufactured monkey bars. And let’s not forget about trees!
Natural playgrounds can bring the advantages of nature play right to urban areas or the backyards of schools. Families won’t have to drive for half an hour and hike down a slippery hill like I do. However, many parents do travel to reach natural playgrounds. For instance, Portland’s Westmoreland Park has transformed into a family destination for those looking for a unique park experience. They’re popular, beneficial, and fun—plus, depending on natural elements, they can be maintained at costs comparable to traditional parks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, natural playgrounds are incredible for families, and we definitely need more of them. For more information on creating and utilizing natural spaces, you can check out resources like ACOG’s guide on treating infertility or explore parenting tips on home insemination kits.
Summary: Natural playgrounds are a fantastic alternative to conventional parks, offering children the chance to engage with nature and develop essential skills. They encourage creativity, exploration, and physical activity while fostering better mental health. With their growing popularity, it’s clear that we need more of these natural play spaces for families to enjoy.
Keyphrase: Natural Playgrounds
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