Outdoor Play at The Learning Nest: Where Nature Meets Learning

At The Learning Nest, we believe childhood is meant to be experienced through meaningful interactions with the natural world. Our outdoor environment is intentionally designed to feel like a true extension of nature, supporting curiosity, movement, and exploration.

Nature based play is essential for healthy development. When children spend time outdoors, they build creativity, independence, problem solving skills, and a genuine connection to the world around them. Natural spaces invite open ended play and allow children to imagine and experiment in ways indoor settings cannot.

Our outdoor space was thoughtfully built by Sacred Oak Construction and designed by our own teachers, who understand what inspires children most. It includes a mud kitchen, hillside tunnel and slide, flower gardens, and an area for digging and truck play. We also refresh materials and features seasonally to keep the environment new, engaging, and full of exciting discoveries. Every part of the space encourages movement, sensory exploration, and hands on learning.

One of the most meaningful features is our mud kitchen, a favorite among the children. It was donated and built by Jeff Curran in honor of a devoted teacher who passed away this summer after her battle with Parkinsons disease. Barb Brerton, mother of our teacher Mrs. Huseman, always delighted in seeing children explore, create, and get messy. That same joy is reflected in the way children use the mud kitchen today.

We use pine straw instead of rubber mulch to create a soft, natural groundcover that feels like a forest floor. It offers a calm, sensory rich environment and supports our commitment to keeping play connected to nature.

At The Learning Nest, outdoor play is more than a daily routine. It is an essential part of how children grow, explore, and learn.