Blog

Free play and independence key to children’s wellbeing

March 5, 2024

Every week I see different research articles highlighting the benefits of nature and unstructured play for children. At times I wonder if there is indeed a growing understanding in our community, or if the algorithms are messing with my perception. In reality (the offline world) it appears there is a huge gap between what the […]

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three children inside a large cardboard box, playing and calling out with happiness.

Loud kids are happy kids

January 8, 2024

I have a theory that loud kids are happy kids. While it’s not applicable to all situations, it tends to work. For example, birthday parties are always excruciatingly loud. Kids playing in the pool, also unbelievably loud. Toddlers with balloons inevitably results in excited shrieks of delight. Teenagers recounting a funny story, talking over each […]

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The most everything time of the year

December 11, 2023

Last month I wrote about the importance of finding pockets of time in our kids’ lives for rest and relaxation. Writing that piece in the thick of term 4, knowing all that was coming in the way of end of year commitments, it was a plea for adults to give our kids a break. A […]

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14 Best Swimming Spots (That Aren’t a Beach!)

December 11, 2023

The heat is here!  You know, that time of the year when you break out into an instant full body sweat the moment you step foot outside. The kids are standing in front of the air conditioner vents with no plans of enjoying the outdoors. If you want to stay outside, you need a body […]

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Play, relaxation and participation – the right of every child

November 15, 2023

I love the idea of Children’s Week. It is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship, held in the last week of October to coincide with Universal Children’s Day. Each year the theme of Children’s Week highlights a particular Children’s Right. This year, the theme was based on The United Nation’s Convention on […]

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A group of ten girls aged 10 to 13 walking towards camera, on a cement path. They are talking, smiling and laughing as they join in a group conversation. There are tall gum trees along the sides of the path and in the background.

Making space, and designing public spaces, for girls

October 11, 2023

 Like many Australians, I fell completely and utterly in love with the Matildas during the World Cup. As a little girl who loved cricket and AFL yet had no opportunities to play in a girls’ competition, I delighted in the almost unbelievable level of respect and admiration that was showered on the Matildas from all […]

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Adults, let the play be free

September 28, 2023

I recently read some research from the UK that examined children’s play and generational differences in how play is viewed and valued. Like all things, social, cultural, and economic factors influence our views and experiences with play, whether they be as a child or parent. One common theme that emerged was that adults of all […]

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Tree climbing – who’s up for the challenge?

August 15, 2023

On a recent family holiday my kids found it bemusing that I was paying so much attention to trees. We were in one of the most densely populated cities of the world. The local government had undertaken a streetscaping project more than ten years earlier and watching the trees and plants grow and thrive has […]

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Healthy Trail Mix Recipe

August 9, 2023

We love a good snack when we’re out and about on our nature play adventures, so we asked our good friend and nutritionist Liz Mendelawitz for some tips on something healthy to take with us!  Here’s what she had to say: Thinking about snacks for a family hike in our Great Outdoors, or even a […]

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Dr Maren Østvold Lindheim’s Visit to WA: Harnessing Nature for Healing

July 20, 2023

Nature Play WA recently welcomed esteemed clinical psychologist, Dr Maren Østvold Lindheim, from Oslo University Hospital, Norway, to Perth. Dr Lindheim’s visit marked a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to explore the benefits of incorporating nature into medical treatment for WA children. Her visit brought together leading pediatric healthcare providers and supporting organisations, and provided […]

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