You step into a congregation of evergreens rising like quiet steeples, their ashen trunks knotted with age and story. The forest hush wraps around you—broken only by the soft rhythm of your footsteps and the occasional sounds of the forest fauna. You see needles scattered in vivid greens and warm browns; you feel their surprising softness spring beneath your feet. A tiny insect darts across your path, drawing your eyes downward, grounding you in its movement.
Reaching for a perfect pinecone, you touch a bead of clear sap, cool and sticky like a dewdrop. You smell a crisp scent: fresh resin mingling with damp leaves, something purer than any candle trying to imitate it. A flash of red and black flits through the branches; you hear its call and smile at the mystery of it, letting the urge to identify it drift away with the breeze.
Then something familiar illuminated by the streaks of light between the trees, a honeysuckle blossom. You pinch it gently, draw the nectar to your lips, and taste the simple sweetness nature seems to offer only when you’re fully present. Peace settles in—earned not by effort but by noticing.
When we step into nature, we often find ourselves unintentionally practicing parts of the 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 grounding technique, slipping into mindfulness without effort. Nature does the guiding. And it’s in spaces like this, where curiosity, awe, and risk naturally intertwine, where children grow strong, confident, resilient, and connected. Here, among trees and mud and possibility, they practice experimentation and the kind of brave play that shapes who they become.
By teaching children in natural environments and encouraging play that includes appropriate risk, we give them tools that will support their growth for years to come.
Maybe messy – but the benefits are limitless. Nature play can be gloriously messy: muddy, wet, and covered with cobwebs…that’s part of its magic. Just because we might hesitate to wade into a cold creek or squish mud between our fingers the way we once did doesn’t mean our children should lose the chance. Their curiosity shouldn’t shrink just because our tolerance for laundry has.
As parents, we signed up for the dirt, the damp clothes, the extra rinse cycle. The mess is temporary, but the benefits of letting kids explore boldly – and a little bit wildly – last much longer.
Nature play can be risky—but incredibly enriching. Sure, letting kids climb trees, splash through streams, or swing from a rope might feel a little wild, but honestly, so did most of any Gen‑X childhood. How many of us jumped off the top bunk, tried to wedge our heads between stair railings, made makeshift parachutes, sat in truck beds, or built a fort out of junk wood? We survived latchkey afternoons, metal playground slides on a hot day in July, and bike rides with no helmets. Compared to that, a little mud and tree‑climbing feels wholesome. And let’s be real: considering the proven risks associated with sedentary lifestyles and too much internet, maybe nature isn’t the risky choice after all.
Risk vs. Danger. “Risky” play is a term that has come to be identified as unscheduled free play that is thrilling or exciting, and involves some level of uncertainty, and may involve some level of risk.1 Risky play covers all the good stuff—biking, climbing, wrestling, sledding, balancing on logs, exploring, even a little playful rough‑and‑tumble. These activities carry uncertainty, but they are different from danger. Danger is letting a young child play beside a busy road. Risk is allowing them to test their balance on a four‑foot wall or collide joyfully into a friend during a game of “block chase.” It tests their limits in a way that feels exciting but isn’t truly unsafe.
Risk builds judgment; danger removes the chance to use it. Risky play helps children learn to understand fear, navigate it, and grow because of it.
These moments help kids learn how to build real‑world judgment. Risky play doesn’t have to mean zero supervision. It simply means we give them space, appropriate to their age and awareness, to make choices, try things, and experience natural consequences before we swoop in at the first wobble. Stay nearby, stay aware, but give them the chance to figure things out before you step in. Stepping back lets children do what we want most— to problem‑solve and grow, which is difficult to do when adults are directing their every move. And research is clear: when children don’t have opportunities for positive thrill‑seeking, they are far more likely to seek out negative or less socially acceptable ways to get that same rush. Providing healthy, supported risk is not only safe, it’s protective — and honestly, pretty amazing to watch.
Benefits of Nature
It’s good for your heart. Studies have shown a reduction in stress as well as lower blood pressure the more someone is in green spaces (not cityscapes). It lowers cortisol levels, which are related to blood pressure as well as immune system health.
It smells good. “Nippon Medical School in Tokyo found that trees and plants emit aromatic compounds called phytoncides that, when inhaled, can spur healthy biological changes in a manner similar to aromatherapy…”2
It’s good for your mood. Serene settings evoke mindful moments without effort: “(A) small 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural setting, such as a forest or a nature park, were less likely to ruminate–a hallmark of depression and anxiety…”3 Furthermore, there are small studies that suggest that increased time in nature can enhance concentration and memory. A study conducted by the EPA suggests being in nature enhances mood and feelings of happiness.4
Inspiring awe. While it may sound hokey, there is research to back the idea that being in nature surrounded by things bigger than us tends to enhance feelings of connectivity as well as humility. Sitting beside the ocean or standing atop a mountain can help us understand beauty, connection, and size. “Experiences of awe … (can) cause individuals to feel less entitled, less selfish, and to behave in more generous and helping ways.” The benefits of awe are physical too: regularly experiencing moments of awe has been linked to lower levels of inflammatory compounds in the body.5 (The same effect is NOT noted when a person is similarly surrounded by towering buildings rather than large trees or mountains.)
Benefits of Risky Play
Risky play strengthens so many parts of a child’s development —resilience, emotional regulation, social negotiation, confidence, safety awareness, motor skills, critical thinking, and risk‑management. Layer on nature play, and the benefits only grow. Time outdoors also supports social development, emotional regulation, problem‑solving, and gives children the vast, open spaces they need to stretch their imagination. 6
Children thrive when they learn by doing. While they can pick up ideas by watching others, nothing replaces the understanding that comes from their own experiences. These moments of real-world practice create a rich internal library- one that strengthens their confidence and guides their decision‑making when navigating future choices.
It’s free!
At the end of the day, we all want the absolute best for our children and the generations that follow. Encouraging a bit of risky play in nature not only supports healthy humans but also nurtures our planet and its living creatures. The love of nature begins with experiencing it, and after all, we protect what we love—and nurturing a love of nature, self, and community is a powerful step forward.
Footnotes:
1 Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter 2009. “Characteristics of Risky Play.” Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 9 (1): 3–21. Sandseter, E. B. Hansen, Kleppe, R., & Ottesen Kennair, L. E. (2023). Risky play in children’s emotion regulation, social functioning, and physical health: an evolutionary approach. International Journal of Play, 12(1), 127–139. For more, check out “Why Kids Need to Take Risks | Heather Von Bank | TEDxMNSU
2 Alexandra Sifferlin, “The Healing Power of Nature,” TIME, July 14, 2016, https://time.com/collections/guide-to-happiness/4405827/the-healing-power-of-nature/. Andrew Avitt, “The Healing Power of Nature,” U.S. Forest Service, June 12, 2024, https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/features/healing-power-nature.
3 Ibid
4 Amy Bruzzichesi, “The Healing Power of Nature: A Winter Perspective,” NC State Extension, last updated December 2024, https://therapeutic-hort.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/12/the-healing-power-of-nature-a-winter-perspective/.
5 Alexandra Sifferlin, “The Healing Power of Nature.”
6 Mariana Brussoni et al., “Landscapes for Play: Effects of an Intervention to Promote Nature Based Risky Play in Early Childhood Centers,” Journal of Environmental Psychology (2017), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494417301512. Emilie Beaulieu and Suzanne Beno, “Healthy Childhood Development Through Outdoor Risky Play: Navigating the Balance with Injury Prevention,” Pediatrics & Child Health 29, no. 4 (July 2024): 255–269, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11261819/. Justin Coulson, “Why Parents Should Encourage Risky Play,” Institute for Family Studies, July 12, 2018, https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-parents-should-encourage-risky-play. Peter Gray, “The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Childhood and Adolescence,” American Journal of Play 3 (2011): 443–463. Julian Nowogrodzki, “Why Kids Need to Take More Risks: Science Reveals the Benefits of Wild, Free Play,” Nature, January 8, 2025, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-04215-2. Candice Gaukel Andrews, “Nature Play Is Okay, But Messy, Risky Play Is Tricky,” Natural Habitat Adventures Blog, August 1, 2023, https://www.nathab.com/blog/nature-play-is-okay-but-messy-risky-play-is-tricky. Julian Nowogrodzki, “Why Kids Need to Take More Risks: Science Reveals the Benefits of Wild, Free Play,” Nature, January 8, 2025, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-04215-2.
Gwen Colon-Hofmann, M.A., A.B.D., lists her credentials as: parent, gen-Xer, planet lover, and believer in the power of play for all ages.
