Letting Play Bloom: Designing Nature-Based Risky Play for Children

Children love to play in risky ways, which is how they learn. Research shows that activities like climbing on trees and boulders, hiking in nature, and playing in a creek are excellent ways for kids to develop their creativity and senses. Letting Play Bloom analyzes five outstanding case studies of children's nature-based risky play spaces and outlines the six categories of risky play. It advocates for a thoughtful landscape design process that incorporates the specific considerations children need to fully experience the thrill of playing in nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 247 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2022
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

Children, with their boundless curiosity and adventurous spirit, embrace risky play in ways that may be misunderstood as unsafe. Yet, it is through these experiences that they truly thrive and learn. Research has revealed that engaging in activities such as climbing trees, bouldering, hiking in nature, and playing in creeks offers exceptional opportunities for children to nurture their creativity and develop their senses. Playing outdoors, surrounded by diverse sights, sounds, smells, and textures, ignites a sense of wonder and fosters a deeper connection with the natural world.

Letting Play Bloom, a captivating book, delves into five remarkable case studies of children's nature-based risky play spaces. These spaces include the Slide Hill at Governors Island in New York, the Berkeley (CA) Adventure Playground, and Wildwoods at Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, as well as sites in the Netherlands and Australia. Author Lolly Tai provides in-depth explanations of the background and design of each site, along with what visitors can expect to experience.

Furthermore, Tai outlines the six categories of risky but not hazardous play, which encompass great heights, rapid speeds, dangerous tools, dangerous elements, rough-and-tumble play, and wandering or getting lost. These activities empower children to explore their boundaries, test their limits, and foster a sense of self-worth. At the same time, they impart valuable risk-management skills, such as dealing with fear-inducing situations, which will serve them well throughout their lives.

Filled with over 200 captivating photographs, Letting Play Bloom serves as a powerful advocate for a thoughtful landscape design process that prioritizes the specific needs of children to fully embrace the thrill and excitement that comes from playing in nature. By creating spaces that encourage risk-taking while ensuring safety, we can empower children to develop their resilience, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Dimension: 267 x 203 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439921791