Natural play for indoors and outdoors
Natural play is a wonderful concept that brings children closer to nature and stimulates their creativity and imagination, both indoors and outdoors.
Playing is one of the most important activities for children. Choosing the right toys can have a big impact on their play and development. Natural wooden toys are a great choice for both environments. Indoors, it provides a safe and creative alternative to often overstimulating electronic toys. Outdoors, it harmonizes with the natural world, allowing children to develop a deeper connection to nature.
Children and fantasi
Children’s imaginations are endless. A simple wooden stick can transform into a sword, magic wand, or even a fishing pole in their play. Indoors, wooden blocks and figures can bring entire cities and stories to life. The beauty of natural wooden toys is that they do not limit but rather stimulate creativity, which is essential for children’s cognitive and emotional development.
As a parent, you want your child to be happy, healthy and connected to nature. Natural play is a magical way to achieve this. It is more than just play; it is an adventure, an exploration that takes place both indoors and outdoors. In this article, we explore how to bring natural play into your child’s life. You’ll see, it’s easier than you think and brings so much joy!
What is natural play
Natural play is simple. It’s about getting children to play with what nature provides. Think sand, water, leaves, rocks, and branches. This type of play stimulates the senses. Feeling the different textures, hearing the sounds of nature, seeing the colors and shapes. It is a form of play that stimulates creativity and imagination. Your child also learns to respect the environment. The great thing is that it can be done anywhere, in your own backyard or even indoors with a little creativity.
The basics of natural outdoor play
Playing outside in nature is so valuable. It invites movement, discovery and learning. Start with a visit to the park or forest. Let your child play freely. A stick can become a magic wand, a pile of leaves turns into a treasure chest. Don’t set limits on where play can go. You can also start a vegetable garden. Tending plants together teaches your child where our food comes from and the importance of nature. And how about a barefoot path? This can be done very simply with sand, stones and water. It stimulates the senses and is just a lot of fun.
Creative ideas for indoor play spaces
Who says natural play can only be done outdoors? You can also bring nature into your home indoors. Create a mini garden or terrarium together. You can even do this in an old glass jar. It is not only fun to do, but also educational. Or how about painting rocks? Find beautiful stones together and then have your child paint them. It’s a great way for your child to express himself creatively. And don’t forget the importance of just playing with water. A bowl of water with some natural materials such as rocks and twigs can provide hours of fun.
Nature toys good for nature
Nowadays there are many toys on the market that are not only fun but also good for nature. Think of toys made from recycled materials or natural fabrics. These types of toys are not only sustainable but also teach your child the importance of taking care of our planet. Moreover, they are often sturdier and last longer than standard plastic toys. In this way, you are making an investment in your child’s future as well as that of our planet.
Natural play is an enrichment for every child. It provides an opportunity to discover the world in a unique way and learn about nature. The beauty is that it can be done anywhere, indoors or outdoors, and doesn’t have to cost much. As a parent, you play a crucial role in providing these opportunities. By taking the time to go into nature with your child or by bringing natural elements into the home, you are giving them a precious gift. A love of nature that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Educational aspects of natural play
Natural play is not only fun, it is also incredibly educational. Children learn about the cycle of the seasons, what plants and animals live in their environment, and how to care for nature. They develop their fine motor skills by playing with small natural materials and their gross motor skills by running, climbing, and jumping in the outdoors. Problem-solving thinking gets a boost when they figure out how to build a dam in a stream or make a hut out of branches. This type of play stimulates curiosity and the natural urge to explore, making learning an adventure.
Durable play fun
Sustainability and enjoyment of play go hand in hand with natural play. Choosing toys made from natural or recycled materials means less waste and less damage to our planet. Plus, these toys often last longer. Think wooden play sets, cotton ropes, and recycled plastic buckets and shovels. These are toy items that not only save the environment, but also encourage your children to appreciate nature. And as they learn to care for their toys, they also learn to care for the world around them.
Natural play in all seasons
Each season offers unique opportunities for natural play. In spring, you can plant seeds together and discover the first flowers and insects. Summers are perfect for water fun and playing in the sand. Autumn brings treasures like fallen leaves and chestnuts, perfect for creative projects. And in winter? Put on the warm coats and explore a wonderland of snow and ice. Each season helps connect with nature and teaches children about the changes in their environment.
Durable toy subscriptions
An innovative way to bring sustainability into play are sustainable toy subscriptions. ReplayClub in Amsterdam provides this type of unique toy subscription. Here, your child periodically receives new toys made from sustainable materials at home. Old toys go back to the service to be cleaned and reused. This system not only reduces waste, but also provides a constant stream of new and educational play experiences. It also teaches children about sharing and recycling, important values in our society today. Furthermore, this form of toy sharing also gives the opportunity to bring in brands such as Little Dutch, Hape and Tender Leaf.
Natural play enriches childhood in so many ways. It fosters a love of nature, stimulates creativity and offers endless learning experiences. By making sustainable choices, such as choosing natural materials or signing up for a sustainable toy subscription, you are contributing to the health of our planet and teaching your child important values. Each season offers new opportunities to explore and enjoy the world around us. So step outside, or bring nature inside, and enjoy the simplicity and beauty of natural play.
