Blog

A young Frenchman waved us down as we drove from Cape Le Grand National Park toward Esperance. He was on his way to Melbourne. Or at lead he had been, until the battery in his van failed to wake by key, or cable, in the morning. We talked on the way into town and he […]

At any playground, on any given day, you’ll hear (or deliver) the call of the harried parent; “Be careful!” Sometimes it’s said with a sense of warning, other times it’s almost a threat, but invariably it falls on deaf ears.  Why?  Because although we as parents can see (or foresee) the problem/risk/danger we want our […]

Sea Monkeys. Sea. Monkeys. I’m talking about magic monkeys, saved from a far away dying ocean-planet, that spring to life, from dust, when they touch the sweet, sweet, water of a suburban aquarium. Once hatched they grow little monkey fingers, curly tails and darty eyes and become lifelong companions who sit in a pint glass […]

The results are in, and the news isn’t good.  The latest report from VicHealth shows teenagers are struggling to do even an hour of physical activity a day and are almost five times more likely to be on their smartphone or tablet than being active. If you think teenagers are a little outside our regular age-range focus, […]

Every parent has a chill waiting to put its foot on their heart. We live with it from the moment of our greatest warmth – the birth of our children. The hot, impossible, molecular, magic of it all delivers the greatest stake a human being can know. And with it the greatest risk. The chill […]

We know nature is good for us, both physically and mentally, and new research from Anglia Ruskin University takes this idea even further, finding that exposure to green spaces and natural environments has a strongly positive effect on body image. Anyone with a teenager (or anyone who’s ever been one) understands the issues young people […]

The Nature Play WA team has too much fun researching and testing ways for you to add nature play into your Christmas each year. This year, we’ve got ideas for kid-made wrapping paper and a few outdoor Christmas-themed activities too! Minimal materials are needed for these projects – as long as you have some paint or […]

Hey dad, treat yourself (and the family) to some quality time together in the great outdoors this Father’s Day!  Here’s five things we know about dads, and why getting into some nature play this weekend is the perfect gift!   1. Dads like to “do stuff” Dads work hard, and many work long hours.  They […]

It’s the Easter school holidays – a wonderful time of the year!  Term 1 of school is over, the kids are settled in to the new year, and the weather is mild enough to explore the beauty of the great outdoors with fewer complaints of “I’m hot and thirsty” that can plague our outdoor adventures […]

We’re an “outdoors-ish” family (emphasis on the “ish”) – we love the beach, rivers, bush walks, hiking, playing at the park, jumping in muddy puddles and being out in the garden, but we’re not fans of “roughing it”. We love “camping” in the bush, as long as it includes a four-walled dwelling of some description, […]