Bringing Nature into Playground Design

Creating the Challenges and Sensory Experiences of Natural Play with Elements and Landscaping

Incorporating natural elements into playground design has become a trend in recent years as this approach not only creates visually appealing spaces but offers numerous benefits for children’s development and well-being.

“Research indicates that, when children play and learn in nature, they do so with more vigor, engagement, imagination, and cooperation than in wholly artificial environments, and that symptoms of attention deficit and depression are reduced,” says the National Wildlife Federation. “Experts agree that children need access to nature the same way they need good nutrition and adequate sleep.”

At Churchich Recreation & Design we understand the importance of natural play and creating challenges and sensory experiences that inspire children and help them foster a closer connection with nature.

Let’s look at how you can bring nature into playground design by highlighting natural elements, utilizing features that look and feel like items found in nature, and incorporating landscaping into the plan.

The Benefits of Natural Play Elements

Natural play spaces offer a multitude of advantages over traditional playgrounds as they encourage children to challenge themselves and engage in active, open-ended play.

This approach helps facilitate creative games and imaginative adventures.

Specifically, the benefits of natural play elements designed into your playground include:

• Physical Development: Natural elements like logs, boulders, and uneven terrain encourage diverse movements, improving balance, coordination, and overall fitness. Children engage in more active and prolonged play in these environments compared to conventional playgrounds.
• Cognitive Growth: Open-ended natural play stimulates problem-solving skills, creativity, and imagination. The ever-changing natural environment presents new challenges and opportunities for exploration.
• Emotional Well-being: Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in children, enhancing their emotional resilience.
• Social Skills: Natural playgrounds often facilitate collaborative and inclusive play, improving children's social skills, cooperation, and empathy.
• Environmental Awareness: Interacting with natural elements fosters a connection with nature and promotes environmental stewardship from an early age.

“In order to build and sustain vibrant communities, we must offer children an opportunity to connect with nature,” said Jennifer Jehn, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful.

What Does a Nature Play Space Look Like?

Nature play spaces are designed to integrate natural elements, providing children with a rich, sensory experience.

“Nature play opportunities can be provided by using what exists on site or adding natural materials such as wood, stone, sand, soil, water, plants, and plant parts to a space where children are allowed time to interact with the materials in their own ways,” explains Green Schoolyards America. “These materials provide children with a range of essential experiences: to engage senses; to rest and recharge; to observe and discover; to imagine, create, engineer, and build; and to play actively.”

A great example of bringing nature into playground design was highlighted in the August 2024 Parks & Recreation magazine.

The Ilse and Charles Jobson Natural Play Park is described as “representing years of innovation in planning, design and construction, the park showcases a unique blend of natural elements aimed at fostering children’s growth through play. Unlike traditional parks with bright-colored equipment on flat surfaces, this park features winding paths through trees, logs for climbing and wooden swings that seamlessly blend into the landscape.”

Here are some common elements you might find in a nature-inspired playground:

Natural Climbing Structures:

• Tree stumps of varying heights for climbing and balancing.
• Boulders and rock formations for scrambling and exploration.
• Logs and fallen trees for traversing and imaginative play.

Water Features:

• Shallow streams or water channels for damming and splashing.
• Rain gardens or small ponds for observing aquatic life.
• Water pumps and sluices for interactive water play.

Sensory Elements:

• Sand pits for digging and building.
• Mud kitchens for messy, creative play.
• Aromatic herb gardens for olfactory stimulation.

Quiet Spaces:

• Small clearings or nooks surrounded by plants for reflection.
• Tree groves or willow tunnels for shade and seclusion.
• Wooden benches or stumps in secluded areas for resting.

Natural Loose Parts:

• Pinecones, acorns, and seed pods for collecting and crafting.
• Branches and twigs for building and creative play.
• Leaves and flowers for nature, art and observation.

Topography:

• Small hills or mounds for rolling and sliding.
• Terraced landscapes for exploration and adventure.
• Natural amphitheaters for gathering and storytelling.

Plant Life:

• Native trees and shrubs for shade and wildlife habitat.
• Wildflower meadows for pollinator observation.
• Edible gardens with fruits and vegetables for hands-on learning.

Movement-Oriented Features:

• Rope bridges and net climbers for balance and coordination.
• Embankment slides are integrated into hillsides.
• Stepping stones and log balance beams for traversing.

Creative Play Areas:

• Outdoor art easels using natural materials.
• Music walls with natural instruments like bamboo wind chimes.
• Treehouses or elevated platforms for imaginative play.

Wildlife Habitats:

• Bird feeders and baths for animal observation.
• Insect hotels and butterfly gardens attract diverse species.
• Hollow logs or rock piles for small creature habitats.

By incorporating these elements, nature play spaces create an environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and a deep connection with the natural world.

Incorporating Natural Elements in Any Playground

Even if your playground area doesn't have inherent natural features, there are numerous ways to bring nature into the design:

• Artificial Rock Formations: Incorporate climbing structures that mimic natural rock formations, providing challenging and engaging play opportunities.  Designers can also create pathways with artificial boulders to encourage balance and coordination skills.
• Log-Inspired Structures: Use synthetic logs for climbing, balancing, and imaginative play. Incorporate log-like seating to create natural gathering spaces.
• Embankment Slides: They are an excellent way to integrate natural-looking elements into your playground design. They can be installed alongside man-made trails featuring artificial rocks and logs, creating an immersive natural play experience. As a bonus, embankment slides are fast, cost-effective, long-lasting, and virtually indestructible.

Maximizing Existing Natural Features

When natural elements are available, it's crucial to design in tandem with them:

• Trees and Vegetation: Incorporate existing trees into the playground design, using them for shade, climbing, or as focal points.
• Natural Slopes: Utilize the existing terrain for slides, rolling, or challenging climbs.
• Water Features: If possible, incorporate streams or ponds for sensory play and exploration.

Integrating existing terrain and natural elements creates more engaging, sustainable, and developmentally beneficial play spaces.

Landscaping to Enhance Natural Play

Thoughtful landscaping can significantly enhance the natural feel of a playground.

Designers have the power to create diverse topography, introduce natural materials, plant trees, shrubs, flowers, incorporate water features, and create habitats for wildlife.

Some things to consider:

• Native Plant Selection: Choose plants native to your area to create diverse ecosystems and attract local wildlife. Consider plants with different textures, colors, and scents to engage multiple senses.
• Sensory Gardens: Create dedicated areas with aromatic plants, textured surfaces, and edible landscapes like fruit trees or berry bushes. Incorporate elements that stimulate all senses, such as wind chimes for sound or water features for touch.
• Natural Materials: Use wood chips, pebbles, or stepping stones for pathways. Create sand play areas for sensory exploration and creative play.

By incorporating these landscaping techniques, playground designers can create natural play spaces that offer children a unique and enriching play experience.

Maintenance and Safety Considerations

While natural playgrounds offer numerous benefits, it's essential to balance natural elements with safety standards:

• Ensure proper maintenance of natural elements to prevent hazards.
• Use materials that are durable and weather-resistant, such as treated wood or synthetic alternatives that mimic natural textures.
• Implement proper drainage solutions, especially in areas with water features or sand play.

Keep in mind, however, that a certain amount of risk-taking is encouraged for natural play spaces.

“Risk taking opportunities are essential components of a well-functioning school ground. Adults and institutions have a responsibility to use common sense in providing and allowing risk-taking activities for children and young people,” says the International School Grounds Alliance (ISGA).

The ISGA says that outdoor spaces for children “should be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible” – which means there is value in allowing children to experience risky play and overprotecting children has some negative consequences.

Churchich Can Help Your Community Create a Natural Play Space

At Churchich Recreation & Design, we believe in creating play spaces that offer the challenges and sensory experiences of natural play while ensuring safety and durability.

By incorporating natural elements – whether real or artificial – we can design playgrounds that encourage children to challenge themselves, engage in active and imaginative play, and develop a lasting connection with nature.

Contact Churchich Recreation & Design today to get started on a memorable, one-of-a-kind playground experience for your community.