“As a state park ranger, I couldn’t simply ignore environmentally damaging play. When a child was ripping live branches off trees, for example, I knew I had to act. But in other situations what should ...

Public concern that children are spending too much time playing indoors has fostered the nature play movement. At schools and daycare centers with natural play areas, children spend more time ...

The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota met with internationally acclaimed playground designer Adam Bienenstock (center) in early February 2024 to discuss initial plans for the natural playground.

Outdoor playgrounds offer children and families an opportunity to connect with nature while engaging in active, creative play. From towering slides and climbing structures to nature-inspired areas, ...

The Rotary Natural Play Hill and Bike Park will include a towering treehouse structure and rope bridge, a zip line, log and boulder areas, tunnels, play mounds, balance beams, nets and climbing areas.

A dozen “nature play areas” that sprouted up at Columbia schools around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic are being removed because of safety concerns. Falling hazards, accessibility and maintenance ...

Francis Werner, 12, of Easton explores the play areas Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the new Vanderveer Park in Easton’s West Ward. The park features a new playground; pavilion; a natural play area; and ...

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (WDBJ) - Natural Bridge State Park’s Children’s Discovery Area has become a certified Nature Explore Classroom, joining a select group of outdoor learning environments recognized ...

Allowing children to get dirty, crawl on the ground and play with the earth will inevitably result in extra loads of laundry, but the benefits of young people regularly playing with nature have been ...

WASHOUGAL — Graham Fine scaled the beast’s back and crouched on its head. “I’m king of the yeti,” he said, surveying the crowd below him. Fine, 5, attends Little Lamb Preschool in Washougal, and his ...