Together, through outdoor play, exploration and education in our local community, we hope to create lifelong connections and care for nature.
— Narelle & Tom Debenham / Nature Play Every Day
CHILDREN’S LEVEL OF OUTDOOR VS. INDOOR PLAY
PlanetArk.org - Climbing Trees Research Report - 2011
One generation ago children…
Today children…
We have a critical role to provide the physical and social space needed in our public places that were once rich, unrestricted play territories for young people.
— Tom Debenham / Nature Play Every Day
Narelle Debenham
NATURED KIDS - FOUNDER
+ OUTDOOR EDUCATOR
Narelle, a teacher, passionately helps children and adults connect with nearby nature, helping them understand the role they can play in preserving the environment for future generations.
Narelle, over the past 3 decades has supported professionals who work with young people, inspiring authentic outdoor learning with pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary aged youth. Narelle has attended local, national and international presentations as an advocate for spending time outdoors.
Narelle’s program ‘Natured Kids’, inspires life long connections with and care for nature.
Through ‘Nature Play Every Day’, Narelle encourages our global community to discover the play potential outside, enhancing their children’s health, happiness and educational outcomes.
Recipient of the ‘Dame Phyllis Frost Award’ - 2019/2020 - Tidy Towns - Keep Australia Beautiful.
Tom Debenham
OUTDOOR ADVOCATE
+ NARELLE’S FIRST EVER NATURED KID
Tom was Narelle’s first Natured Kid! (Thousands more have followed!)
Tom remembers being a curious child, he appreciates the regular opportunities he had to observe, explore and discover outdoors, enjoying nature play every day!
Tom values the daily benefits of having regular contact with nature for his health and wellbeing. Tom knows his early experiences in nature have been an important motivator for lifelong learning, helping him to understand and value the natural world and develop a strong sense of environmental ethic.
Tom has witnessed and documented the diverse landscape and design of children’s play in 75 countries around the world.
He advocates that it is critical we continue to ensure easy access to outdoor play in natural environments for our children and that these significant natural spaces remain protected for future generations.
Recipient of seven Australian Design Awards - 2017-2020 - Projects in urban spaces - The Design 100.
If we are to reverse the trend of recent decades and return to young children, freedom to access the outdoor world, we need the gentle guidance and presence of responsible adults advocating as ‘play partners’.
Our wish is that outdoor play becomes a regular part of every child’s life so they can develop into resilient, healthy, happy, caring, compassionate and contributing members of our community.
We are both so excited that you want to be a ‘play partner’ and get outdoors to find a special part of your nearby nature that has huge potential for play, teaching and learning.
We look forward to sharing with you our inspiration for ‘Nature Play Every Day’. Together we can provide our young people with multiple opportunities to connect with, contribute to and care for their natural environment.
What People Are Saying
Combining early learning with environmental awareness and lots of time to play and explore. Totally recommend for any age!
— Yvette, 2017
We have learnt about how to create habitat for wildlife, bush foods and so so much more. The sessions are beyond inspirational. I would recommend to any homeschooling families.
— Becky, 2019
Getting out into nature and learning new things is so refreshing! It's not just for kids, it's for the adults too. Natured Kids has equipped me as a parent with skills and ideas to get outdoors more. It's given me confidence as a parent and my toddler thrives outdoors. I cannot recommend this more!
— Amy A, 2019
We just love exploring new outdoor locations every week and getting in amongst nature. Thank you so much Narelle for all your knowledge, inspiration, enthusiasm and the fun activities every week.
Highly recommend!— Amy, 2018
Exceptional introduction to the enjoyment of the outdoors for young children. I attribute Narelle’s great love and connection of the outdoors to Narelle's positive, simple but engaging approach to educating young children.
— Janine, 2018
Such an incredible opportunity for families to experience the magical wonder of outside.
— Jane, 2016