Risks and benefits in ‘wilding’ children’s play

TY - CHAP

T1 - Risks and benefits in ‘wilding’ children’s play

AU - Ward, Kumara

AU - Truong, Son

AU - Dobia, Brenda

N1 - © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

PY - 2026/5/6

Y1 - 2026/5/6

N2 - This chapter analyses findings from a comprehensive evaluation of the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden (IPCWPG) in Centennial Parklands, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It investigates the ways that children of differing backgrounds and abilities engage in experiences of nature-based ‘wild play’ at the IPCWPG. Two main elements of wild play are explored, these being unstructured free play in nature and negotiating risks that children experiment with and learn from. The chapter elucidates the meanings that children, parents and educators make of their experiences of the IPCWPG, links the findings to the literature on nature play, and demonstrates the benefits for physical, social and learning development, as well as for wellbeing, nature connectedness and environmental awareness. Through exploring and playing in the IPCWPG, children learn to overcome challenges, physically extend themselves, and immerse themselves in a range of nature engagement opportunities. The multiple ways children engage with the Garden, are discussed alongside the benefits. Nature play in the IPCWG generated enthusiasm and creativity, combining physical activity with freedom and fun. The negotiation of risk was found to be an important element of experiencing the IPCWPG, enabling children to learn to navigate challenging situations, build self-regulation, and develop risk assessment capacities.

AB - This chapter analyses findings from a comprehensive evaluation of the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden (IPCWPG) in Centennial Parklands, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It investigates the ways that children of differing backgrounds and abilities engage in experiences of nature-based ‘wild play’ at the IPCWPG. Two main elements of wild play are explored, these being unstructured free play in nature and negotiating risks that children experiment with and learn from. The chapter elucidates the meanings that children, parents and educators make of their experiences of the IPCWPG, links the findings to the literature on nature play, and demonstrates the benefits for physical, social and learning development, as well as for wellbeing, nature connectedness and environmental awareness. Through exploring and playing in the IPCWPG, children learn to overcome challenges, physically extend themselves, and immerse themselves in a range of nature engagement opportunities. The multiple ways children engage with the Garden, are discussed alongside the benefits. Nature play in the IPCWG generated enthusiasm and creativity, combining physical activity with freedom and fun. The negotiation of risk was found to be an important element of experiencing the IPCWPG, enabling children to learn to navigate challenging situations, build self-regulation, and develop risk assessment capacities.

KW - nature play

KW - free play

KW - connection to nature

KW - outdoor learning

KW - children’s development

KW - Wild Play Garden

U2 - 10.1007/978-981-95-5275-7_18

DO - 10.1007/978-981-95-5275-7_18

M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)

SN - 9789819552740

SN - 9789819552771

SP - 305

EP - 322

BT - Risk and Outdoor Play

A2 - Gray, Tonia

A2 - Sturges, Marion

A2 - Barnes, Jaydene

PB - Springer Singapore

ER -