Connecting to nature

Find out about the benefits of connecting to nature, and the concept of Nature Deficit Disorder.

Outdoor Hub

Activities

All Activities What's New Art & Creating mud, clay & sand pine cones & conkers leaves, sticks & petals weaving & wool wooden discs campfire craft sun print inks, dyes & perfume pebbles ice & snow with tools Tool use & Traditional Crafts tool guides weaving felting pewter hammers knives secateurs & saws palm drills & rotary hand drills fire craft Outdoor Play mud kitchen book mud kitchen case studies den building Other outdoor play ideas Curriculum Outdoors numeracy literacy science Inspirations Festivals & celebrations Fire, Shelters & Bushcraft fire knots & cordage shelters Food Outdoors foraging campfire cooking campfire recipes Nature Growing & Gardens Health & Wellbeing Activity Downloads Product Information

events

All Events Courses, Training and Workshops Forest School Training Forest School Leader Training (Level 3) Forest School Assistant Training (Level 2) Other Forest School Related Training Outdoor Learning Courses CPD Conferences and Lectures Annual/Special Days/Weeks/Months Festivals, Camps and Residentials Study visit

Training

All Training Bushcraft trainers Forest School trainers Muddy Faces Trainers Discount Package Outdoor Learning/Nature Play trainers

Loose parts, dens & block play

All Loose parts, dens & block play Block play Dens & den building Loose parts Loving Loose Parts Outdoors

Forest School

All Forest School Benefits of Forest School Forest School activities & ideas Forest School articles & blogs Forest School Day Forest School guides & books Forest School history Forest School kit lists Forest School principles Forest School qualifications Forest School Tools Forest School training Forest School videos FS research & reports Key Forest School organisations Muddy Faces & Forest School What is Forest School? Why forests & woods?

Active Boundaries

All Active Boundaries Active Boundaries - Case Studies Bridges & stiles Gates & doorways Introduction to Active Boundaries Paths & edges Peepholes Squeezes & gaps Tunnels

Woodworking

All Woodworking Activities with tools & wood Books on woodworking Introduction from Pete Moorhouse Research & reports: wood Woodwork & learning Woodwork & safety Woodwork & tools articles Woodwork tools & tips Woodworking & tools guides

The Outdoor Practitioner magazine

All The Outdoor Practitioner magazine Practitioners Voice

Outdoor play

All Outdoor play Books on outdoor play Child led play Creating an outdoor setting Mud play Natural Play Principles Outdoor play articles Outdoor play case studies Outdoor play guides Outdoor play links Outdoor play reports & research Outdoor play videos Play Dates Playday Champions Water & sand

Health & wellbeing

All Health & wellbeing Connecting to nature Going to the loo & hygiene outside Hand washing Health & wellbeing articles Health & wellbeing books Health & wellbeing videos Introduction Mental health & being outdoors Pandemic & COVID-19 Ready for any weather Reasons to be Outside Research, reports: health, wellbeing Shop for Health & Wellbeing kit Sit spots Useful websites: health, wellbeing

Outdoor clothing

All Outdoor clothing Environmental guide How to get ready Information for parents Layering video Layers explained Outdoor clothing articles Outdoor clothing buying guide Outdoor clothing introduction Waterproof ratings guide Waterproofs care guide

Bushcraft, shelters & traditional crafts

All Bushcraft, shelters & traditional crafts Bushcraft Shelters Traditional crafts

Fire, foraging & food

All Fire, foraging & food Books on fire Campfire recipes Dragons Sneeze Dragons Sneeze stories Fire guides & articles Foraging & food articles Foraging & food useful websites Foraging books Foraging guides Foraging tips, recipes & ideas Introduction to foraging Muddy Faces fire guides & activities Reclaiming snack time:

Methods & approaches

All Methods & approaches Books Child led play Evaluation Forest School John Muir Award Reports & research Signposts to key approaches & organisations Videos

Inclusion & diversity

All Inclusion & diversity Access & diversity useful websites Benefits of access to nature Festivals & celebrations Outdoor access articles Projects, reports, policies

Risk

All Risk Books on risk Flora & fauna risks Research & reports on risk Risk articles Risk videos & podcasts Risk-Benefit Assessments Risky play references Risky play tips & gallery

Learning outdoors

All Learning outdoors Learning outdoors articles Learning outdoors books Learning outdoors guides Learning outdoors reports Learning outdoors videos Learning outside research Learning outside resources Learning outside useful websites Schools outdoors Top tips & inspiring quotes

Nature & nature connection

All Nature & nature connection Books on nature Guides: nature play & nature connection Guides: trees, plants & wildlife Nature Connection videos & podcasts Nature connection in the news Nature connection or nature contact Nature Premium Research: impact of nature Research: nature connection / deficit Useful websites: nature

Art & creativity

All Art & creativity Art & creativity articles Art & creativity resources Arts & creativity research Introduction Muddy Faces art & craft ideas Useful websites: art & creativity

Farms & animals

All Farms & animals Farming & food articles Guides Introduction Reports & research Useful websites

Growing & gardens

All Growing & gardens Compost Garden & growing guides Growing & gardens articles Growing & gardens videos Growing & gardens websites Growing reports & research Pond guides

Sports & adventure

All Sports & adventure Adventure & sports websites Articles: sports & adventure Camps, camping & residentials Introduction Research: physical activity outdoors Research: sport & adventure Sports & adventure guides

Authors

All Authors Alex White Gerda Muller Marina Robb Richard Irvine Rikke Rosengren Teacher Tom

Research: nature connection / deficit

A comprehensive reference section of reports & research into Nature Deficit Disorder and the importance of nature connection for children and young people. Includes opinion pieces and reflections from outdoor practitioners & nature connection experts.

Arranged, as much as possible, in chronological order, most recent at the top.

Read More about Research: nature connection / deficit

Newsletter

Keep in touch

Register to receive our free email newsletter, full of outdoor inspiration, dates, deals and competitions.

Legal Information

VAT: 933762410
Company Number: 5899191
© 2025 Muddy Faces

Site design & build by View Creative Agency