Show Notes
Want to ditch the plastic jungle gyms and bring a little wild back to playtime? Good news--it’s easier than you think!
In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler shares his passion for natural playscapes — think trees to climb, logs to balance on, and mud to squish. It’s all about giving kids the freedom to explore, take risks, and spark their imaginations.
Rusty describes the magic of nature play, risky play, and loose parts play. He’s got tips on how to design spaces that celebrate your local environment, whether that’s a backyard adventure zone or a school playground makeover. He even gives tips for safety concerns and licensing hurdles.
Ready to roll up your sleeves? Rusty’s got easy projects to try, from planting a tree to building a garden bed. So, grab the kiddos, head outside, and start creating a space where nature and play go hand in hand.
Why? Because the best playgrounds are the ones Mother Nature designed.
Rusty’s motto is Dream big. Start small. Never stop. Share this episode with someone else that has a backyard waiting to be adventure-fied.
At the end of this episode Rusty answers questions about making natural playscapes in the desert, how to store all those loose parts, and what you could say a licensor about pea gravel. Don’t miss it!
Links:
Roxaboxen by Alice McClerran
20 Ways to Create Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul
Rusty’s Nature Play Design Masterclass
10% off Discount Code for Play Nature Podcast Listeners! [Use code: PLAYNATUREPOD]
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide
More from Play Nature Podcast
Think about this…the best thing we can do for children is…less and then more. Less directing. Less correcting. Less rushing to the rescue. More mud. More mess. More wonder!
What if the answer to better learning, happier kids, and even easier classroom management is just outside the door?
What if play didn’t need a lesson plan? Or an outcome? Or a grown-up standing nearby explaining what’s supposed to happen next?
What happens when one kid climbs up the slide while another is coming down? Is going up the slide really dangerous? Or is it just one of those playground rules we’ve inherited without thinking too hard about it?
What happens when children meet a muddy hill, a dangling rope, and a whole lot of possibility? They climb. They slip. They tumble. They try again.