The Wild at Play project aims to give children over the age of 8 the opportunity to gain the benefits of playing in natural spaces whilst aiming to alleviate some of the parental concerns about unsupervised play in public space. It will promote a greater connection between young people and nature and seek to integrate innovative environmental play into more traditional approaches to play work locally.

Play in natural spaces, or environmental play, has many benefits for children and the wider community:

• Environmental play provides the opportunity to take risks
• Playful and interactive contact with nature in childhood is directly correlated with positive environmental sensibility and behaviour in later life
• Natural environments are dynamic, complex and disorderly. They have rocks, tree roots, fallen trees, steams and ditches and other features which provide challenges.
• Exploration of the natural environment helps children develop wayfaring skills
• The natural environment provides a greater number and variety of loose parts for creative and constructive play than most built or 'managed' environments
• Children's instinct in outdoor spaces is to run, climb and jump. This enhances muscle growth and heart and lung function.
• There is evidence that contact with nature can improve mental health and well-being.

Our Play Rangers are now in doors throughout the winter. On Thursday 10 December the Play Rangers held a special night time walk! They followed a trail of glow sticks through Stokes Field and explored the woods in the dark. Our Play Rangers will be holding a special session on Thursday 4 February! We will be making natural arts and crafts at Long Ditton British Legion! 3.30 pm until 5.30 pm!| Find out more information about the Community Play Rangers!

For more information please contact the| Play Development Officer.