Episode Details

Why Nature Play for Kids Matters More Than Ever

This week on the Natural Super Kids Podcast, we’re having a really important conversation about nature play, free play, and what today’s children may be missing when so much of life happens indoors or on screens.

We are joined by Nikki Farrell, co-owner of Wildlings Forest School and Little Wildlings, co-host of the Raising Wildlings Podcast, teacher, unschooling mum, and passionate advocate for children’s rights and free play. Together, they explore how children’s physical, emotional, and social development is being shaped by the steady decline in outdoor play and why getting outside matters so much more than we often realise.

This conversation begins with some confronting truths about how much children’s free play has changed over the years, but stay with it. Nikki shares practical, thoughtful ideas that make this feel possible and encouraging, even for families navigating busy schedules, screen habits, safety concerns, and children who resist going outside.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What has changed for kids over the last 10–20 years, including the decline in free play, reduced physical confidence, lower resilience, and the impact this is having on focus, emotional regulation, and social development.
• What children are missing out on when screens take over, and why the conversation needs to go beyond screen time limits to include creativity, movement, independence, problem-solving, and real-world connection.
• The wide-reaching benefits of nature play, from gross motor development and sensory integration to sleep, emotional regulation, confidence, curiosity, and a stronger connection to learning.
• Simple, realistic ways to bring more nature play into family life, including how to support outdoor play in urban areas, how to gently build children’s independence, and why community matters so much in helping kids get outside more often.

🎧 Tune in to learn more about why nature play is such a powerful support for children’s development, how parents can create more opportunities for free play without adding pressure, and what small shifts can make a big difference in everyday family life.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Wildlings Forest School

Raising Wildlings

Instagram

Wildlings Forest School
Raising Wildlings Podcast
Little Wildlings

This episode is proudly sponsored by my membership, the Natural Super Kids Klub. If you would like to become a member of the Klub to get more helpful resources to help you raise a happy and healthy family click here and pop your name on the waitlist.

 If you loved this episode, leave me a review! I would really appreciate it. Also, let me know your biggest takeaway from this episode by sending me a direct message on Instagram @naturalsuperkids or shoot me an email at jessica@naturalsuperkids.com.