When Mother Nature Calls: Designing Play That Moves You Outdoors

Streaming used to mean something that babbled and sparkled. Birds were the only ones who tweeted. Posts were something you dug into the ground to build a fort and followers were the kids who ran behind you as you raced toward the playground to be the first to the top of the climber. Maybe it wasn’t all that simple, but something was refreshing about a time when the outdoors called and we answered.

No schedules. No screens. Just spontaneous meetups at the playground, the woods or the baseball field for a pick-up game. We didn’t just play — we explored, we competed and we developed. Being outside was our playground, our teacher and our launching pad for the day and for life.

Where Nature Meets Design

At Burke, we’re guided by the belief that outdoor play should be intentional, inclusive and inspired by the natural world. Like anything that’s well-designed, a playground should do more than serve its function — it should elevate it. That’s where nature-inspired design comes in.

Mother Nature crafted the original blueprint for healthy, joyful movement. We're simply following her lead and bringing it to more kids, families and communities.

Mother Nature’s Masterclass – How We Develop Through Play

Physical development
When children jump between stumps, climb a tall tower or scramble up a NaturePlay^® Boulder, they’re building more than muscles — they’re building motor skills, body awareness and confidence. Uneven surfaces and varied textures challenge coordination in ways flat ground never could. It’s full-body learning that happens when design meets the the natural world. Hillside slides and climbers are another way to create fun and surprises in play environments while allowing kids to play in a way that comes naturally to them —sliding down a hill and climbing back to the top.

Cognitive growth
Unstructured outdoor play fuels imagination. When a log becomes a pirate ship, a tower becomes a castle or a bridge becomes the ledge of a mountain, children aren’t just pretending — they’re solving problems, inventing stories and mapping new worlds. NaturePlay play events are designed to encourage this open-ended exploration, turning every playground into an opportunity for fun and development.

Social and emotional wellness
Outdoor playspaces naturally foster collaboration. Kids explore climbers, slides and swings together; build forts; share discoveries and learn the give-and-take of community. Research shows time outside reduces stress, improves mood and helps children regulate emotions. One breath of fresh air can literally change a child’s day.

Bringing NaturePlay to Life

Not every school or neighborhood has easy access to forests or open wilderness, but even if they do, combining natural and built environments yields the best and most exciting results for kids and provides choice while considering access for and the preferences of all children. With thoughtful, purpose-driven design, we can bring the highest level of outdoor play to any space.

The Burke NaturePlay elements were created to bring the essence of nature anywhere. They capture the textures, shapes and movements of the natural world in durable, sustainable materials that stand up to everyday play. Our NaturePlay RockVenture^® Climbers, NaturePlay Boulders, Log Tunnels and Dinosaur Fossil Dig provide authentic adventure — right in the schoolyard or neighborhood park.

When we blend nature with innovation, every child gets a chance to answer Mother Nature’s call.