Places to Play in the Forest – Engaging Children in Shaping a Sustainable Future

Forests are essential green spaces for northern cities. For children especially, forest environments are important places for learning and playing. However, children’s voices are often not heard when planning urban green areas.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children should have the opportunity to influence matters that are important to them, such as playgrounds and natural environments. When children are involved in designing their own play environments, they also learn how to influence their environment and take responsibility for shared spaces.

Nature, play, and place attachment – a foundation for a sustainable future

Place attachment refers to a child’s experience of a place being meaningful and familiar to them. When children are allowed to participate in the design of a playground or use it regularly, they begin to feel that they belong there – and also want to take care of it. This strengthens the child’s identity, increases their sense of security, and supports community spirit. Through a sense of place, children learn to appreciate their environment and understand its importance as part of their own lives.

Traditional playgrounds offer little in the way of nature experiences. Forest play environments, or play biotopes, utilize natural materials, support local species, act as carbon sinks, and offer children direct contact with the diversity of nature.

Stock photo: Istock.

In addition, forest play environments offer unique opportunities for physical learning. When playing in nature, children are exposed to a diverse microflora that supports the development of their immune system, while also learning about the cycle of nature through experience. Such experiences remain permanently in their memory and influence how children relate to nature and its protection.

The eco-social approach emphasizes the interdependence of humans and nature. When children participate in building play environments that support biodiversity, they learn responsibility and understand that human well-being and the vitality of nature go hand in hand. In this way, play, nature, and participation form the foundation for a sustainable future.

Stock photo: Istock.

Children’s opinions matter

When children participate in the design of their playgrounds, they realize that their opinions are being listened to and learn that they can influence their environment. This boosts their self-esteem and motivation to participate. Co-creation involves seeking common solutions, and children strengthen their skills in compromise and negotiation. Children see that everyone has the right to be heard. This teaches children to respect different views and defend the rights of the more vulnerable ones. When children participate in decision-making, they also learn to take responsibility for the consequences of decisions. These are all important civic skills that can also be used later when participating in society.

The question of children’s participation is essentially a question of what kind of future we are building. Do we want cities where children are active participants? Do we want nature and the built environment to support each other? Is community something we see as a core value and put into practice in our everyday lives?

Humak has strong expertise in participatory methods and community-based development. When forests, play, and children’s participation come together, environments are created where both children and nature can flourish.

Author:
Nina Luostarinen, RDI Senior Specialist, Humak University of Applied Sciences, ORCID 0000-0003-0777-2858
Publication series: Humak Harticle
Publisher: Humak University of Applied Sciences
Publication date:  20.10.2025