Playful by Nature – Educator Guide
A play-based nature education resource
Interested in incorporating playful, nature-based learning experiences into your program? Explore Playful by Nature to learn how to make nature-based education work for your mixed-age group setting.
- Audience
- Educator
- Subject
- Nature & Outdoor
- Age
- InfantKindergartenPre-KPreschoolToddler
- Languages
- EnglishSpanish
Playful by Nature is a set of resources designed to support educators and caregivers in engaging young children with the natural world. Aside from helping children grow into the future caretakers of their environment, nature-based learning experiences can help children develop a wide range of skills. Planting seeds introduces children to the life sciences, but there are many connections to other disciplines, too. There are math opportunities in measuring the water to care for those plants. Drawing or painting pictures of the plants as they’re growing brings in artistic, creative expression. Children may write or tell stories about how the plants will help the animals living nearby, flexing their imaginations while practicing early literacy skills.
In the Playful by Nature educator guide you can explore 16 engaging activities across all seasons. Activities are designed for use with mixed-age groups including infants to 5 year-olds. Each activity also includes suggestions for books to read, modifications to accommodate a range of learners, additional extensions, tips for supporting caregivers, and additional resources to learn even more about nature-based education. Also available in Spanish: Naturalmente Juguetón!
Related Resources
EducatorGuidePlayful by Nature – Playgroup Guide
A way to talk to caregivers about the impact of nature play. You can document the children’s experiences, explain the skills they are practicing, and maybe ask them about their own memories of nature play, too.
CaregiverActivityPainting Snow
Children can paint freely across a unique surface and see where their ideas take them. Experiencing textures and temperatures you feel, like the hard ground, cold snow, and frozen, slippery ice.
CaregiverActivityMaking Seed Balls
Being able to watch the growth of seeds that you planted yourself is a great way for children to appreciate nature. First we mix ingredients, next we watch a seedling grow, then we see a flower bloom!
CaregiverActivityScavenger Hunts
Encourage children to explore, observe their surroundings using their senses and tools (magnifying glasses), and ask questions about what they notice. Find all the items on their scavenger hunt checklist can promote a sense of independence as well.
CaregiverActivityPumpkin Hammering
Children will figure out how to get the golf tees in and out of the pumpkin and how to hold the tee and use the mallet safely and accurately. Offering the opportunity for children to try something new that can be challenging.
CaregiverActivityPaper Tube Binoculars
By making and using binoculars, children will closely engage with the natural world as they explore. Encourage them to notice the small details such as colors, shapes, and patterns as they explore different items, animals, and so much more!
CaregiverActivityNature Bracelets
Collect objects from nature and arrange the items to create a personalized bracelet that showcases children’s discoveries and preferences.
CaregiverActivityPainting with Rain
Paintings will change in the rain, and colors will mix together. Children can be imaginative with the design of their paintings, and enjoy the process of mixing colors. Learning to accept unpredictable outcomes and/or try again is a great lesson.