What is nature play? Simply put, nature play is any open-ended and unstructured play that takes place outdoors. The sky is the limit with nature play, and it can include anything from cooking recipes in a Mud Kitchen to searching for bugs under logs to building forts out of fallen sticks and branches. It allows children the freedom to explore and be creative while problem-solving and discovering new things in the natural world. Playing outdoors also gives them the opportunity to form a connection with nature that can follow them into adulthood.
Where can I find nature play activities?
You can find scheduled nature play activities right here at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Preston’s Place, our native backward habitat! Check our program schedule below to see current and upcoming programs.
What are the benefits of nature play?
Experts agree that there are many benefits to participating in nature play. Some of those include increasing children’s awareness and self-confidence as they explore outside while also fostering creativity as they use their imagination to play. It can also help improve a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social skills through different activities.
What are the goals of nature play?
Our goal is to encourage participation in nature play in order to foster a healthy relationship between humans and nature that is carried into the future.
Does it cost anything?
No! This is a free program being offered to all Lehigh Valley Zoo guests and members.
As Autumn unfolds upon the Zoo, join us for some free, fall-themed activities in Preston’s Place. Enjoy all the colors of fall as you create leaf mazes, build leaf creatures, and cook pumpkin soup in our Mud Kitchen. Leaf your worries behind, and don’t miss out on the fall fun! Stay tuned for dates!
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! The weather outside might be frightful, but Preston’s Place is delightful! Celebrate the season as we make snowflake art, explore animal tracks in our Mud Kitchen, and make bark rubbings. There’s snowplace like the Lehigh Valley Zoo during winter, so be sure to come chill with us! Stay tuned for dates!
Love is in the air and what better way to celebrate than with a Mad Tea Party in our Mud Kitchen! See if you have what it takes to help the Hatter through the Queen’s Chess Maze and to help Alice defeat the Queen at croquet. Stay tuned for dates!
Let the shenanigans begin! It appears a leprechaun has set up residence in Preston’s Place, and we need your help to outsmart him before he causes any mischief! Make your way through the Celtic maze, find a lucky four-leaf clover, and build your own leprechaun trap to outfox the leprechaun and escape his lair. Check back soon for dates so you can join us for a shamrockin’ good time!
Spring has sprung at the zoo, and there are signs of new life hatching everywhere! Join us in Preston’s Place on Saturdays and Sundays in April from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for Hatching Day and some egg-themed, free activities. Help rescue frog spawn from predators, hunt and hide turtle and snake eggs, and build your own bird nest to make a safe egg house. Hop, walk, and slither your way on down to the Lehigh Valley Zoo for an egg-celent time!
For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 228, 229, or 247.
