The Importance of the Outdoors in Creativity and Learning

There’s something undeniably magical about the forest—the way sunlight filters through the trees, the scent of pine and soil, the quiet hum of life all around. At The Doodle Post, we believe that spending time outdoors isn’t just refreshing—it’s essential. Time foraging in the forest or wandering through a local park provides children with a chance to slow down, observe, and connect deeply with the natural world. Whether they’re collecting twigs, leaves, rocks, or feathers, nature becomes both the classroom and the supply shelf.

The benefits of outdoor foraging are as rich as the forest floor. Kids build awareness of seasonal changes and develop observational skills as they notice patterns in bark, the symmetry of leaves, or the changing colours of petals. It encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and physical movement—stretching arms to reach, kneeling to examine, lifting, sorting, and comparing. Foraging also invites mindfulness; children learn to walk gently, listen closely, and take only what they need.

Creating with zero-cost, natural materials has added benefits. When kids work with found objects—things they didn’t buy or aren’t worried about “wasting”—they are freer to experiment. They try things, take risks, break pieces apart and start again. This kind of fearless creativity builds resilience and confidence, while nurturing an appreciation for the beauty and variety of the materials around them. Patterns, textures, and colours in nature inspire endless combinations, encouraging kids to see design everywhere—from the spiral of a snail shell to the mosaic of pebbles underfoot.

As the 1000 Hours Outside movement reminds us, “Children are wired to be outside. Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health.” This echoes the spirit of David Suzuki’s Butterflyway Project, which encourages communities to rewild their neighbourhoods, create habitat-rich environments, and restore a childlike sense of wonder about the ecosystems around us. By encouraging kids to explore and create using nature’s palette, we’re helping them grow into curious, connected, and environmentally aware humans.

In a world filled with structured activities and plastic toys, nature offers open-ended possibilities. The outdoors provides more than inspiration—it fuels the imagination, builds a lifelong connection to the environment, and reminds us that creativity begins with wonder.