The Many Benefits of Natural Playgrounds
Natural playgrounds provide many benefits besides physical activity. The playground is no longer just a place for students to get rid of extra energy. While it is excellent at that, when used correctly it can be so much more. This article will review a few benefits of these hands-on, child led, unique playgrounds. Our design firm has worked with hundreds of clients to find the design that meets their site, budget, and educational needs.
Imaginative Play
Natural playgrounds aren’t full of pre-made activities like artificial ones are. Instead, these playgrounds often feature natural textures and materials, such as stumps to climb on, loose parts, and tree logs. Being surrounded by natural materials encourages children to use their imagination to develop fun games. Imaginative play is a necessary part of development.
Motor Skills
Heading to a playground encourages children to run and jump. They’ll learn balance and coordination as they balance along logs. Jumping from one rock to another and using their body in new and unique ways helps children develop brain connections for complicated mind body connections. These will help them inside and classroom and out! It you like research, this is a great study on motor fitness in natural play spaces.
Sensory Stimulation
Children learn about the world through their senses. Playgrounds made from natural materials and set in rich sensory environments stimulate the senses and encourage healthy development. With sensory play variety is the name of the game visual variety, shade and sun, flowers and seed pods they can pick and disect, areas for and and water exploration, and quiet areas. The variety lets the child pick the most intriguing and comfortable setting for them. Check out this post with more examples.
Sustainability in Natural Playgrounds
Many natural playgrounds are made from materials readily found outdoors. Using these materials helps reduce the environmental impact of building a playground. Natural materials don’t use the chemicals and fossil fuels that other types of playgrounds require. This makes them better for the environment and encourages parents to teach their children about sustainable practices. Natural playgrounds save the more high impact materials (concrete and plastics) for where they are really needed (stability and features like slides). 
Social Development
Playgrounds provide a sensory rich environment for play. As children play next to and with each other opportunities for social development will naturally occur. There are opportunities for taking turns, sharing , and negotiating materials use when working in the same area. We have found that there is enough variety in the play spaces that we design that negative social interactions are often reduced at outdoor time.
We understand the importance of having a properly designed playground. We can help you design every aspect of your natural playground to ensure children enjoy these benefits and more. Contact Learning Landscapes Design today to learn more about our services.
