Outdoor Apps for Nature Play

While screen time is generally seen as an indoor activity, some apps can inspire families to head outdoors together. By encouraging exploration, movement and nature-based discovery, they can help make outdoor time more engaging and enjoyable.

Example play in WA map

Find Place to Explore with Play in WA

Find amazing places to visit with your family with our searchable Play in WA map.

While not an app exactly, this awesome functionality is available right here on the Play in WA page of our website, allowing you to filter spaces according to play and accessibility features, and available amenities to find a space just right for some family play – via your phone, tablet or computer.

Explore Play in WA

Talk N Walk App

Taking a Talk N Walk together is a great way to get outside to move, talk and connect in nature as a family. A Talk N Walk can be facilitated through our free Talk N Walk App.

Co-designed in partnership with over 100 Western Australian youth, the Talk N Walk app was developed with a focus on social connection, friendships, family and feeling good, and encourages connection through conversation starters and simple outdoor challenges.

Talk N Walk App
Talk N Walk Cards sample
Shipwrecks Play Trails App Mockup_hand_background_wider

Play Trails App

We’ve partnered with local governments and community organisations to bring you a series of outdoor scavenger hunts that provide a super fun and unique way to explore walk trails, historic buildings, community artworks, playgrounds, the environment and more!

Unlock location-specific content, complete challenges, solve quiz questions and score points with our free Play Trails app.

About the Play Trails App

Play Anywhere!

Perfect for children who struggle to find ways to play outside, the Play Anywhere Trail guides you through a series of simple, engaging activities, allowing you to explore, create and play – anywhere!

The simple activity ideas require no special tools and can be played anywhere outdoors – your backyard, local park or reserve, on a picnic – anywhere!

About Play Anywhere
Digital tools can enhance creative play graphic

More Nature Play Resources

Nature Play Inspiration

With ideas and inspiration for classic outdoor play, sensory play ideas, all weather activities, and more, there is a nature activity to suit every child and family in our Nature Play Ideas collection.

Nature Play Ideas Library
cubby making tips for kids
There's no bad weather article

All Weather Play Ideas

Whether it is a hot sunny summers day, or a wet, cold, and rainy day there is a nature play activity that is perfect for all kinds of weather! Check out these fun nature play activities and ideas for all weather.

All Weather Play Ideas

Find Places to Play & Explore

Check out this collection of articles sharing our pick of the best places to play according to a specific category;

A photo of the Swan River taken from Matilda Bay Reserve. Green grass and a park bench can be seen in the foreground of the image. The midground is made up of the river, on which float a pontoon and some boats. The clear blue sky is above, and some buildings can be seen in the distance.
  • Play Trails nature scavenger hunt app
  • This photo shows two girls skipping towards camera, with their arms linked. The girl on the left has dark brown hair tied back in a low ponytail and is wearing a brown cropped t-shirt, light grey tracksuit pants and white sneakers. The girl on the left has shoulder length black hair that is blowing in the breeze behind her. She wears a white t-shirt, and an oversized button-up shirt, with panels of blue and white striped, and pink fabric, worn open over the t-shirt. She wears cream coloured wide-leg pants, and white sneakers. They are smiling and laughing. Behind the girls is a limestone wall, and gum trees, and in the background a public toilet and shopping centre carpark ca be seen.
  • Nature Play Walk N Talk
  • Shipwrecks Play Trails App Mockup_hand_background_wider
  • A photograph of two girls, looking at each other and smiling. The girl on the right holds her mobile phone out in front of her. The phone is in focus, and the girls are out of focus in the background. The girl on the left has dark blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail, and wears a black t-shirt. The girl on the right has blonde hair tied up in a high bun, and wears an olive green strappy playsuit. The phone screen shows the Talk N Walk "Welcome" screen dashboard, showing the users name, avatar, digital stickers, activity and the "start a walk" button.
  • Play Anywhere Trail displayed on phone screen