Nature play is not just outdoor play. While children playing on the playground are playing outdoors, this type of playing is unlikely to put them in direct contact with nature and offers different benefits. Imagine a child collecting just the right sticks to build a fort or selecting the right size rocks to build a dam in a creek. Nature play is children playing with nature, and is child-initiated and child-directed.

There is a growing body of evidence on the benefits of nature play that improve emotional and physical wellbeing - such as the reduction of stress, depression and anxiety, and obsesity - and cognitive function - such as decision making. Essentially, nature play can make children feel better and think better. Nature play provides sensory learning experiences not typically available in static indoor learning environments that fuel the imagination and lead to discovery and risk-taking, which are imperative to the development of self-efficacy and resilience. Time spent outdoors stimulate the brain and creates opportunities for problem solving and creative thinking. Children thrive when they control their own learning – something that nature play offers. Children learn a great deal about themselves and the world around them when given the opportunity to explore, discover and play with nature.

MOMI understands that nature is all around us – through parks and playgrounds, public gardens, and even in our own backyard. While these opportunities to play with nature exist, many families are simply not able to explore nature on their own. For decades, outdoor play has seen a continual decline and is being replaced with organized activities. With a growing emphasis on academic achievements and use of technological devices, outdoor play is taking a back seat. To overcome this trend, MOMI plans to educate communities on the importance of nature play through its own nature play area. Consistent with MOMI’s mission, a nature play area will spark the curiosity and wonder of children of all ages and provide early learners the tools to engage with nature and ultimately learn those needed to protect it.

The goal of a nature play area is to connect children and their families with nature in creative and innovative ways. While the components of a nature play area have yet to be determined, MOMI has created a wish-list of sorts inspired by nature play areas around the world. MOMI plans to create a “wild play” area where children can climb, build, and dig. Imagine an ADA-accessible outdoor play area designed by a team of educational experts with tree houses, a fort building area, a dig pit, butterfly gardens, and a creek – all of which is open for play all year-round! But these are just some of our ideas. We want to hear from you – what would you like to see in YOUR nature play area?