Nature-based play stimulates a child’s imagination and makes them more aware of the world around them. In a world of concrete and electronics, many children are being protected from the smell of the bush and the beauty of the natural world. They grow up with little connection or interest in the wildlife that surrounds us. At Natureworks, we believe nature-based play can reconnect kids to their environment and help them develop as individuals.
But don’t just listen to us – read what the government body Nature Play Qld say about nature play in early years education. “Nature play significantly improves all aspects of child development – physical, cognitive, social and emotional.” Let’s inspire children to appreciate nature and experience the natural magic of the world around them!
How to encourage nature-based play
The first step in encouraging nature-based play is provoking kid’s curiosity and getting them to go outside! But although nature play is about getting children active outdoors, nature-based sculptures can bring a sense of nature into interior spaces too.
Whether in a shopping centre, park or playground, animal sculptures inspire interest in wildlife, provoke questions and initiate conversations about endangered or extinct species. If kids can climb on them, they get physical exercise too! In outdoor playgrounds, artificial logs, trees and stepping stones can provide alternatives to natural features that may not be as safe or easily accessible.
Nature-based play equipment
Natureworks are constantly producing child-friendly animal art and playground sculptures inspired by the world of nature. These sculptures not only provide a fun experience for children, they create magical spaces to enhance backyards, childcare facilities, shopping centres, schools, aquatic splash parks and council playgrounds.
Giant animal sculptures (such as Big Things) attract young people’s interest and can be designed and constructed so they are sturdy and safe to climb on (read about playground safety). We have children’s slides in the shape of a pelican, frog or even a giant dinosaur head slide! Animal sculptures feature in water parks too, particularly marine animals such as giant crab claws or a humpback whale tail.
But nature-based play is not just about animals – we create artificial climbing logs, rocks, log slides and seats too. And as well as sculptures of realistic life-size or larger than life animals and plants that exist in nature, Natureworks can create cute or stylised sculptures designed for younger audiences or themed events.
All nature play sculptures need to suit their planned usage, considering aspects such as location, security, longevity, purpose and the age range of children they are designed for. If you need help selecting nature-based play equipment, Natureworks can advise on these aspects.
Nature-based kid's furniture and decor
On a more practical note, we also have a library of nature-based furniture items. These include animal seats, pebble seats, mushroom shelters, artificial trees, giant flowers, dinosaur bones, fossil digs, Dinotopia characters, toad tables and friendly frogs.
Some of our sculptures combine natural realism with fantasy, sparking the imagination. For example, our unicorn seat is a firm favourite with childcare centres and our quirky giant garden snail attracts interest as a sculpture and doubles as a cute seat for small children.
We have a spectacular mushroom cubby house and are in the process of building a series of large magical fairy houses big enough for small groups of children. We also have a range of Australian bird and mammal saddled creatures, including emu, koala, kangaroo, echidna wombat and sea-lion, which would be a great addition to any children’s play area.
Our nature-inspired play sculptures include extinct animals too, such as dinosaurs. For example, see the Triceratops with saddle – what kid wouldn’t want to ride a dinosaur?
Understanding the prehistoric world is all part of relating to today’s environment, which is why dinosaur-themed attractions are popular. And our beautiful megafauna sculptures – such as the largest marsupial that ever lived, the Diprotodon – can’t help but evoke wonder in adults as well as children (see megafauna at the Australian National Botanic Gardens).
Add natural magic to your space!
If you’re planning a play space or event and want to inspire nature-based play, please contact Natureworks to see how we can add some natural magic!
Playground theming catalogues
