Nature Play WA’s Mission

Our mission is to support the mental and physical health of Western Australian children by growing their connection to nature and community through outdoor play.

A photo of three children sitting on a rock in nature, smiling and laughing.

What We Do

We support nature play (unstructured, child-led, outdoor play) through:

Advocacy – Sharing the benefits of nature play through traditional and online media and working with Local and State Government to influence policy.

Consultation – Working with kids to create outdoor spaces and resources that are diverse, inclusive and well-loved.

Research – Discovering the best ways to inspire every child to embrace the outdoors.

Resources – Creating apps, teaching resources and activity ideas to help kids, educators and families get into nature.

Why Nature Play Is Important

In an increasingly digital world, nature play gives kids the opportunity to move their bodies, de-stress, and connect to the natural world.

The key benefits of nature play include:

  • Nature play is unstructured, giving children freedom to express their emotions and imagination
  • Being in nature improves mood and decreases cortisol levels
  • Encourages resilience and the development of decision-making skills
  • Nature play is sensory-rich, promoting cognitive development
  • Encourages kids to care for nature
  • Promotes physical activity and a connection to community
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.
Photo credit: Red Eclectic

How We Do It

We help families, schools, local governments, community organisations and corporate sectors to see the value of nature play and prioritise it in children’s lives.

Explore some of our programs and partnerships!

Talk N Walk App
Nature Play in the Park
Community Play Trails
Nature Play Resources
Nature Passports
Community Events

Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Nature Play WA’s Strategic Plan clearly outlines our organisation’s mission, values and strategic priorities.

Strategy Statement

By 2027 Nature Play WA will positively impact the lives of Western Australian children by influencing and supporting families, communities, and policy makers to deepen children’s connection to nature and community through outdoor play.

Read our full Strategic Plan for 2022-2027

The front cover of Nature Play WA's 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.

Partner With Us

Partner with us to help connect children with nature and foster healthier, happier communities. We collaborate with schools, local governments, community organisations, research institutions and more.

Contact Us