Research: impact of nature

State of Nature Play

This report examines the current state of nature play, bush kinder and outdoor learning provision across Victoria, Australia, highlighting the growth of nature-based opportunities for children alongside ongoing challenges and areas requiring further support. It identifies key trends, barriers and opportunities, and provides recommendations to help strengthen children's access to nature play and outdoor learning experiences. Kids In Nature Network (AUS), 2025 (updated from 2018).

Fractured stories and voices of the future; coproduced research with young children and trees

A pedagogical approach of nurturing children’s relationships with trees might support better relationships between people and planet through growing children’s foundational worldview, attitudes, capacities needed for living sustainably into their futures. Hackett, Kraftl, Pool & White GSC - Global Studies of Childhood 31 January 2025. See Treescapes Impact summary below:

Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature

'They may prefer to stick to their screens, but here's why getting outdoors matters.' What You'll Learn: How much time do most kids spend inside? What are the benefits of being in nature? Child Mind Institute, 13 November 2024.

Nature Prescriptions: connecting to nature to boost health and wellbeing

Thousands of people are experiencing the health-giving power of nature with an RSPB Nature Prescription. 5 November 2024.

Why Learning the Names of Trees Is Good for You

'Getting to know trees can lead to new ways of looking at the world ... philosopher Christian Diehm argues that distinguishing species may offer a different way of seeing “nature” that could transform our view of the world around us.' JSTOR, 3 June 2020.

The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review

‘Nature play had consistent positive impacts on physical activity outcomes and cognitive play behaviours (imaginative and dramatic play). ‘ Dankiw, Tsiros, Baldock & Kumar, University of South Australia, 13 February 2020.

Benefits of Engaging Children with Nature

"Naturalized outdoor learning environments (OLEs) stimulate the diversity of children’s play experiences and contribute to healthy childhood development... This Infosheet discusses the benefits of engaging children with nature and presents examples of simple ways to naturalize OLEs in childcare centers and schools." Natural Learning Iniative (US), 2020.

Valuing nearby nature

Report exploring how access to nearby nature supported people during the COVID-19 lockdown. Drawing on responses from more than 1,200 people in and around Manchester, it highlights the importance of local green spaces, parks and gardens for mental health, wellbeing and social connection, and demonstrates the value of ensuring that people can easily access nature close to where they live. Lancashire Wildlife Trust, 2020.

Nature nurtures children

Research commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts and undertaken by UCL explored the impact of nature-based activities on more than 450 primary school children. The study found improvements in wellbeing, nature connection, confidence and relationships with teachers and classmates, alongside strong educational benefits from spending time learning outdoors and engaging with nature. The Wildlife Trusts & UCL, November 2019.

How to Dose Vitamin N: how much time in nature do we need for better health?

'In recent years, multiple studies have demonstrated the physical and mental health benefits of nature exposure ... The following is a synthesis of some of these studies ... here’s a general idea of the timeframes in nature associated with better health.' Psychology Today, 15 October 2019.

Moved by Nature in Finland: fun, meaningful & health-enhancing physical activities for school children

The project took a group of 9-12-year-olds on 3 nature activity days over 3 different seasons. An analysis of the children’s views about what they most enjoyed found meaningful experiences in 3 areas: freedom, autonomy and adventure, inspiring learning experiences, and co-operation and connectedness with peers. LOtC, 3 July 2019.

You can watch 2 videos about the Moved by Nature project in our Nature Videos section (scroll down for link)

How nature helps manage our emotions

"My latest paper considers how nature helps manage our emotions for wellbeing and what it means for urban design." Miles Richardson, Finding Nature, 5 June 2019.

Children & Nature Network research library

Making the Case for Children and Nature. ‘The Children & Nature Network curates and summarizes peer-reviewed scientific literature to help build the evidence base for advancing the children and nature movement.’
You can browse the library or sign up for their monthly Research Digest. Various dates, regularly updated.

Can your child’s phone bring them closer to nature?

‘Our five-year project will find out how apps and technology change children’s experiences and knowledge of the great outdoors. And we need your help! I will investigate how technology and social media impact on children’s and young people’s experiences of the natural world as part of a five-year project ‘Natural Technology.’ Runs from 2018 to 2022.’ Science Nordic, 10 January 2018.

Trees as affordances for connectedness to place

A model to facilitate children’s relationship with nature ‘Summary: Tree play can deepen connection to nature and afford opportunity for risky play.’ Study undertaken in Finland with children age 7-12. Children & Nature Network (US), published online October 2017.

We Know Nature Makes Us Happier. Now Science Says It Makes Us Kinder Too

“New studies show being in nature may increase your willingness to be generous, trusting, and helpful toward others.” This article summarises a good selection of the reserach providing this evidence. YES Magazine (US), 12 March 2016.

Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment pilot study: visits to the natural environment by children

Results from a project to test a method of measuring the level of access to the natural environment by children in England. Natural England, 10 February 2016.

Concerns raised over number of children not engaging with nature

Article on a two-year study that finds more than 10% of children in England have not been to a natural environment in the past 12 months. Children from low-income families and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) households are markedly less likely than white children and those from higher income households to frequently visit urban or rural wild places, according to the survey conducted by Natural England. The Guardian, 10 February 2016.

Nature’s Wall of Grief

Article on how spending prolonged time in nature may help us tap into long-held feelings of grief, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Nature's Apprentice (Au), 22 October 2015.

How walking in nature changes the brain

‘Researchers conducted a study which asked randomly selected participants to spend 50 minutes walking in either a natural or urban setting, and to submit to a series of psychological assessments before and after the walk. ‘ Well, New York Times, 22 July 2015.

The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition

‘This study extends previous research by demonstrating additional benefits of nature experience on affect and cognition through assessments of anxiety, rumination, and a complex measure of working memory.’ ScienceDirect, 3 March 2015.

Natural England Access to Nature: Learning Papers

Reports on the experiences and self-evaluation of projects supported by Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces grants, encouraging people who have little or no experience of the natural environment to benefit from the outdoors.
Click here to see the full list or click on the links below for a pdf download of each specific report.

Let Nature Feed Your Senses: sensory-rich visits connecting people to nature & food, 2014

Learning together: schools & the natural environment sector, 2013

Seeing the wood for the trees: woodlands as a tool for engaging people with the natural environment, 2013

A natural curiosity – good quality outdoor experiences are a valuable part of children’s development, 2013

Best foot forward – the benefits of the natural environment for mental & physical health, 2013

Minority ethnic communities & the natural environment, 2013

Good from Woods research toolkit

‘Good from Woods is a community of researchers exploring and reporting on the health and wellbeing outcomes of spending time in the woods. The toolkit is designed to help you do rigorous research into whether your woodland activity has an impact on the health and wellbeing of participants.’ c2013.

Children & Nature Worldwide: An Exploration of Children’s Experiences of the Outdoors & Nature with Associated Risks and Benefits

‘Provides an evidence base for the importance of children’s and youth’s connections with nature, now and for the future. Evidence provided in this annotated bibliography of research relates to: 1) children’s experiences of the outdoors and nature … and 2) the benefits derived from children’s experiences of the outdoors and nature—both for their healthy development and the protection of the Earth.’ Children & Nature Network, 2012 (pdf).

Spending Time in Nature Makes People Feel More Alive, Study Shows

Round up of research demonstrating ‘ the importance of having access to parks and natural surroundings and of incorporating natural elements into our buildings through windows and indoor plants.’ Science Daily, University of Rochester (US), 4 June 2010.

Vitalizing effects of being outdoors and in nature

‘Five studies utilizing survey, experimental, and diary methods assessed the effects of being outdoors on subjective vitality … Being outdoors was associated with greater vitality, a relation that was mediated by the presence of natural elements.’ Journal of Environmental Psychology, 3 November 2009.

Children in the Outdoors: a literature review

"... examines existing research on health and the outdoors – [and] an in-depth look at the current themes within health, outdoors and children’s research and highlights how these relate to understanding the links between children’s use of outdoors spaces and health outcomes. " Dr. Sarah-Anne Muñoz, Sustainable Development Research Centre, 2009.

The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature

‘These experiments demonstrate the restorative value of nature as a vehicle to improve cognitive functioning ‘ and considers Attention restoration theory (ART). Sage Journals, 1 December 2008.

A ‘Dose of Nature’ for Attention Problems

‘Parents of children with attention deficit problems are always looking for new strategies to help their children cope. An interesting new study suggests that spending time in nature may help.’ Well, New York Times, 17 October 2008.

‘Wild’ Nature Play Before Age 11 Fosters Adult Environmentalism

“If you want your children to grow up to actively care about the environment, give them plenty of time to play in the “wild” before they’re 11 years old, suggests a new Cornell University study.” Science Daily (US), 13 March 2006.

Nature & the Life Course: Pathways from Childhood Nature Experiences to Adult Environmentalism

“This paper examines connections between childhood involvement with the natural environment and adult environmentalism from a life course perspective. ” JSTOR (US), 2006 (pdf).

How nature contributes to mental and physical health

The mental and physical benefits of physical activity in nature, with academic references. By Professor Jules Pretty OBE. ResearchGate, June 2004.