You want to know if and why children need nature? Children need nature. Period. We can delete the "if" because there are simply so many reasons why they should spend time outdoors. Sure, toys and indoor activities are great, but it's outside in nature where the real miracles happen that are essential for their development.
Because in nature there are no ready-made instructions or boundaries - only freedom, discoveries and plenty of adventure. Anyone who spends a lot of time in the woods, mountains or meadows as a child will benefit from this in all areas of life - and will continue to do so into adulthood.
In this article, I will introduce you to the most important reasons and benefits of why playing outside is so incredibly valuable for children. At the end, I also have some valuable recommendations for all parents. Let's go!
1. Promoting Physical Health
Children need Movement - and it's simply more fun outside! Running, climbing, balancing or jumping not only strengthens muscles and joints, but also the Immune system. This is how children come alive!
The fresh air supports the respiratory tract and Sunbeams promote the formation of Vitamin D.
Regular exercise in nature in particular ensures that children become more robust and their motor skills constantly improve.
Here is an overview of the most important health benefits:
- Supports the airways with fresh air
- Improves balance, coordination and dexterity
- Prevents diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or obesity
- Strengthens muscles and joints
Good to know: The average screen time of 6 to 10-year-olds is around 90 minutes per day. For 11 to 13-year-olds, it is even just under 200 minutes. This is another reason why children today move less than they used to. The MoMo study "How fit are children and young people in Germany?" result.
2. Boosting Mental Wellbeing and Reducing Stress
Being outdoors is good for the soul! The calming effect of nature reduces stress hormones and promotes serenity. Children can relax better and simply Breathe freely.
Playing in the fresh air releases the "happiness hormone" serotonin - perfect for leaving everyday life behind and recharging your batteries. Children are happy after spending time outdoors more balanced, less overstimulated and feel more comfortable.1
Also children develop a strong connection to naturewhen they experience nature "on their own" and spend a lot of time in the countryside. Among other things, this has this study from North Carolina State University.
3. Inspiring Creativity and Imagination
Nature is a huge playground and offers an incredible number of opportunities to explore the world. stimulate your own creativity. Instead of prefabricated toys, there are Sticks, Stones, Leaves, Mud or Water - all material for your own ideas and stories.
Children can use it freely build, design and experiment - and nature experiences without restrictions.
However, this freedom not only promotes their creativity, but also their Problem-solving ability. Playing with natural materials also has a calming and motivating effect.
Book Recommendation: If you want to delve even deeper into the subject, I can only recommend the book Starting capital nature - How experiencing nature promotes child development by Andreas Raith and Armin Lude. You can get the book here*.
4. Improving Focus and Attention
It's easier for children to concentrate on one thing when they're outside. The natural environment relaxes your mind and thereby also improves their ability, to remain attentive.
Children who are under Concentration problems or hyperactive behavior, they need the time in nature even more. Especially children with ADHD benefit from getting rid of their energy in nature and then returning with a clear head.2
5. Developing Social Skills
Playing together in nature promotes Teamwork and Communication. Children are often dependent on each other when climbing, building or exploring.
They learn to coordinate, help each other and resolve conflicts. In addition to social skills, they develop further positive traitsas well as an understanding of empathy and consideration - especially when observing animals or caring for plants.
6. Experiencing Spiritual Connection and Comfort
Nature gives children moments of safety, peace and mindfulness. Sounds of naturehow the The babbling of a brook, Birdsong or the Wind in the trees - All of this creates a feeling of security and connection. And Natural fragrancessuch as the earthy smell of rain, freshly mown grass or wildflowers in bloom have a calming effect and leave lasting impressions.
Such experiences while playing in nature strengthen basic trust and offer an antidote to the hectic pace of everyday life. Characteristics such as Gratitude and reverence in front of nature develop here all by themselves.
Book Tip: For more in-depth information, I can also recommend the book Child and nature - The importance of nature for psychological development recommend by Ulrich Gebhard, that you get here*.
7. Building Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Those who learn at an early age how valuable plants and animals are and that they need to be protected also develop a strong sense of responsibility later on. Environmental Awareness and the tendency to sustainable lifestylebecause they are aware of their responsibility.
For example, maintaining your own Vegetable or wildflower beds in the garden or the Observing insects understanding of ecological relationships.
Children who develop a positive connection to nature, are more likely to get involved in environmental protection later on - a value that accompanies them throughout their lives. In view of the many and massive Environmental problems of our time this is also one of the Reasons why environmental protection at school in my opinion should be dealt with much more intensively.
Tip: Many people decide not to have children for ecological reasons. I explain in more detail why I don't think this makes sense in the linked article.
8. Finding Structure and Adapting to Change
Why else do children need nature? Because experiences in nature give them the experience of reliable rhythms and thus offer them orientation. For example, the Seasons, the Day-night change or the Lunar cycle a feeling of stability.
At the same time, nature challenges children to adapt to (unpredictable) changes. This natural alternation of structure and flexibility strengthens their adaptability and at the same time promotes inner balance.
9. Expanding Everyday Knowledge and Understanding
Nature offers children valuable learning experiences that go far beyond play. They discover natural processes such as Growth, Decay and Cycle of spring, summer, fall and winter.
Even simple tasks such as the Collecting fruit, the Building a shelter strengthen their understanding of everyday contexts. Such experiences promote a lasting awareness and broaden their horizons. An important reason why children should play outside more often.
10. Experiencing Independence and Self-Efficacy
Out in nature, there is no instruction manual. Children are encouraged to become more independent and find solutions on their own - whether it's overcoming a tree trunk or building a tepee out of branches and moss.
Such experiences of success increase self-esteem and motivate people to to be curious and try out new things. The more personal responsibility they are allowed to take when playing, the better.
When playing in nature, children can ultimately be yourself and develop freely.
Whether as a child or an adult: Greater self-confidence is one of the many important benefits of the Time in nature so healthy for us humans is. I also explain the other reasons in the linked article.
Children Need Nature – Every Single Day!
Here today you have learned about many benefits and reasons why children need nature. And as you can see, playing in nature is essential for children's development. real all-rounder.
Whether it's about health, creativity, social learning or simply having fun - everything is possible outdoors. Children are born from nature - and need it as a mental frame of referencefor their identity and individuality.
And the best thing about it: it's not complicated, Getting children outside and get them excited about nature. Whether Family excursions, DIY projects with natural materials or Gardening together - It also works spontaneously and without complex programs or expensive toys.
In principle, however, one Garden, by Forest or also a green park around the corner. Let your children play, run around and explore outside - and watch them grow.
Finally, here are a few Recommendations, with which you can Promoting children's closeness to nature can:
- The Naturalist book - To participate and fill in (is available here*)
- Card game with Discovery cards and clear search assignments in nature (is available here*)
- The Nature adventure diary for children (is available here*)
"Babies and animals are the mirrors of nature."
Epicurus of Samos (more at Nature Quotes)
Do you have any questions or can you think of any other good reasons why children need time in nature? Then feel free to write me a comment under this article.
Stay sustainable,
PS: As parents, we are responsible for the development of our children and teach them a lot. In another blog post, however, I've also put together a few things for you, what we adults can learn from children. Be sure to take a look!
References:
- Jianjiao Liu, Raymond James Green (2023): The effect of exposure to nature on children's psychological well-being: A systematic review of the literature, available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127846. [03.04.2025]. ↩︎
- U. Gebhard (2023): Naturerfahrung und seelische Gesundheit bei Kindern - theoretische Ansätze und ausgewählte empirische Befunde, available at https://www.springermedizin.de/adhs/adhs/naturerfahrung-und-seelische-gesundheit-bei-kindern-theoretische/25454946. [03.04.2025]. ↩︎
