Think back to your own childhood for a moment.

Chances are your happiest memories weren’t made sitting in front of the TV.

They were outside. Climbing trees higher than you probably should have, making potions out of mud and leaves or running wild with friends until dinnertime.

Today’s children don’t always get the same opportunities.

Screens, busy routines and safety worries have pushed much of childhood indoors.
But research shows what we instinctively know: nature play isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s essential.

A recent paper from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, which reviewed research published over the past 10 years, confirms that time spent in nature has measurable benefits for children’s well being. Click the button below if you would like to take a closer look at the research paper, or read on to see my five take aways from the article.

Those important benefits we innately know happen when kids have opportunity for nature based play can't be underestimated!

Here's the top reasons why kids need this type of play in a nutshell...

1. Better health and calmer minds. Remember how good it feels to come home tired after a whole day outside? Nature does wonders for kids’ bodies and minds helping them sleep better, move more and shake off stress.

2. Stronger social skills. Whether it’s building a cubby or playing chasey, outdoor play teaches kids how to work together, share ideas and sort out disagreements. These are skills that stick with them long after the game ends.

3. Creativity and problem-solving. Give a child a stick and suddenly it’s a sword, a fishing rod or a magic wand. Nature feeds imagination in ways no plastic toy or online game can.

4. Confidence and resilience. That wobble before jumping off a rock? It’s where courage is born. Little risks in nature help kids learn what their bodies can do and give them the resilience to face bigger challenges later in life.

5. Joy and emotional wellbeing. Ask any child what they love most about playing outside and you’ll often hear the same words: happy, free, excited. Nature play is pure joy, the kind of joy that keeps echoing through their lives.

As a parent, I know how easy it can be for our kids to slip into hours of screen time. But I also know how much calmer, happier and more creative they are when they’ve had the chance to connect with the natural world. Helping children aged 3–12 swap a little screen time for green time doesn’t need to be complicated - it’s about simple, joyful moments that spark curiosity and connection. Here are some easy strategies you can try at home:

Make it easy - Keep a basket by the door with hats, sunscreen, magnifying glasses and nature play books (like our Junior Nature Warriors Bundle for ages up to 7 or the Nature Warriors Bundle for kids 7+). When everything’s ready to go, getting outside feels less like a chore.

Start small - Even 10 minutes outside can spark a love for nature. Try an activity from our Nature Craft Series Bundle, like making leaf crowns or stick people, which don’t require much preparation but provide endless creativity.

Go on a backyard adventure - Kids don’t need a forest to explore! A backyard or local park can become a jungle, a bug safari, or a fairy garden with just a little imagination (and maybe some inspiration from Wild Imagination).

Create rituals - A Sunday afternoon family walk, after-school whittling with safe tools (from our Whittling Kit), or stargazing before bed ... these routines help kids associate joy and comfort with the outdoors.

Let them lead - Ask your child what they notice, what they want to collect, or what adventure they’d like to go on. Our bundles are designed to give kids ownership of their play while providing fun, nature-inspired ideas to guide them.

Did you know that we have a growing library of free downloads, templates and printables that make incorporating nature play into your day even easier?

When you subscribe to the free Wild Club, you receive a link with access to our library of over 35 kid friendly, nature inspired downloads.

We regularly add free downloads, so if you're already a Wild Club subscriber, don't forget to check your emails to be in the know when a new freebie drops!