Award Winner
The Nest Early Education Centre
Southport, QLD
Early Learning Centre
Nature-based play environments designed to connect children with the natural world
Natural playgrounds use organic materials like timber, rocks, sand, water, and native plants to create play environments that connect children with nature. Unlike traditional plastic equipment, these spaces invite open-ended, imaginative play that supports holistic child development.
At Wearthy, we've been designing and building natural playgrounds for early learning centres and schools across Australia since 2013. Our nature-based approach recognises that children develop best when they can explore, take risks, and build meaningful relationships with their environment.
Natural play elements like climbing structures, balance logs, and uneven terrain develop gross motor skills, coordination, and physical confidence. Research shows children in natural playgrounds take up to 39% more steps.
Open-ended natural materials stimulate problem-solving, creativity, and scientific thinking. Children learn cause and effect through water play, construction with loose parts, and exploration of natural phenomena.
Natural play spaces encourage collaborative play, communication, and negotiation. Children work together to build, explore, and create imaginative scenarios in shared natural environments.
Regular interaction with natural elements builds environmental awareness and stewardship. Children develop lasting relationships with plants, animals, and natural cycles through daily outdoor play.
Natural settings have proven calming effects. Sensory-rich environments help children self-regulate, process emotions, and develop resilience through appropriate risk-taking experiences.
Natural playgrounds use sustainable materials like locally sourced timber and native plants. They require less maintenance than plastic equipment and develop children who care about the environment.
Every Wearthy playground is a natural playground. We design bespoke nature-based environments for early learning centres and schools across Australia.
Southport, QLD
Early Learning Centre Merrimac, QLD
School
Goodna, QLD
Early Learning Centre
Manly West, QLD
School
Newmarket, QLD
Early Learning Centre
Winston Glades, QLD
Early Learning CentreWe begin by understanding your community, site conditions, and developmental goals. Every natural playground is a unique response to place.
Our designers create bespoke play environments that integrate natural materials, native plants, and purposeful play elements tailored to your children's needs.
Our skilled team brings designs to life using sustainably sourced timber, natural stone, and quality materials built to Australian standards.
We support your educators to maximise the learning potential of your new space through our Ecology of Play training programs.
Explore our in-depth guides on natural playground design, costs, and comparisons.
Expert guidance on creating nature-based play environments for childcare centres.
Compare play types, developmental benefits, costs, and longevity.
2025-2026 investment ranges for Australian playgrounds.
Book a discovery call to explore how we can design a nature-based play environment for your early learning centre or school.
Book a Discovery Call