The Magic of Nature Play

The Beach, The Magic Beach

We walked through a path that led us to the rocks on

the side of the beach. The tide was out and the water was shallow. 

One child leading us across the rocks, the other stopping to notice the little shells between them.
One child continued to climb to the end of the rock path, the other immersing herself in the sand. 
One child fully clothed digging holes to create ponds and the other stripped down to splash about in the water. 
One child making an island to stand on as the tide comes in, and the other having a bath in the ponds her brother made. 
One child discusses the island of Australia, whilst the other creates songs about her Island love. 

Neither one wanted to go to the beach, resisting and chose to sit and watch the skaters at the skate park. However once there, they were totally immersed in the environment. I had to keep adding money to the parking meter. We had no buckets and spades, no towels, no bathers, just us and the beach. 

From afar the beach looks plain, sand and water. But once you are there it is a sensory delight. The textures, the animals, the smells, the sounds all bring the calm and joy we crave. 
The ordinary is truly extraordinary. 

The magic of nature play. Each one of us can interact with the environment as we desire. No prescribed ways of play. No competition and no prior abilities or milestones needed. From the youngest of us to the oldest, we can arrive at the beach or the reserve allowing our interests to lead us. 

I love knowing that no toys or equipment need to be brought to these play dates, just food and for some reason a lot of it. Watching the joys of families in these spaces has given me so much insight to the power of playing in our natural environments. 

Watching children who meet each other for the first time, helping to climb trees, build cubbies or move large logs, whatever it is, it is usually some form of team work every single time. Navigating mixed ages and personalities, and even children navigating their parents fears and worries. Life lessons that will be essential moving forward. 

My list of the benefits are so long, they touch every part of the human experience, physical, emotional, social and not only for children. 
I invite you all to come along to nature play days or next time you are meeting another family or friend, choose a natural environment. Relax and watch the magic take place. My mantra of “Observe more, enjoy most”, comes alive during these times. The joy you feel observing or taking part in nature play will surprise and inspire you.