Play Nature Podcast

Ready to splash, dig, and grow your way through summer? What if a simple water fight could bring more joy than screen time? And who says adults don’t need nature-play too? In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler with his feet in the creek, shares five favorite ways to get outside and feel the season. Think water play, plant love, melting ice, and loose parts. These aren't just ki...

“We have really strong relationships with our children and our families, and that's what allows the adventures to come.” --Cameron Sprauge, Head of Nurseries-Stramash Social Enterprise What if the secret to raising resilient, creative, confident kids was… play? Real play. Outdoors. With sticks, mud, and a whole lot of autonomy.  In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast host Rusty Keeler and...

“Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is step back and trust that children know exactly what they’re doing.”     --Phoebe Wyllyamz, Playworker  What if someone told you the best way to build life skills isn’t through flashcards or structured schedules—but through play ? Real, messy, child-led, joyful play.  In this episode of Play Nature Podcast , host Rusty Keeler intro...

This episode of Play Nature Podcast is bringing Rusty’s motto “Dream Big, Start Small, Never Stop” to life. Rusty is once again out in nature––with birds chirping and leaves crunching, we dive into how his mantra can guide not just life choices, but the design of amazing outdoor play spaces too. You’ll hear stories from the field—both personal and professional—as we explore what it really means to...

Get ready to dive into the wild and wonderful world of loose parts ! Loose parts include the simplest stuff––think hula hoops to plastic dinos, boards to bottle caps.  In this episode of P lay Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler takes us outside and into the magic of child-led creativity. Rusty shows us how all the stuff thats just laying around can spark the biggest adventures. Rusty includes...

Get ready to tumble, climb, and maybe even take a little leap! In this episode of Play Nature Podcast , Rusty talks all about risky play. What is it? Why does it matter? And how can a scraped knee actually be a win?  Rusty introduces the six types of risky play and explores our role as adults in letting it happen organically and free of hazards. He leads us to balance freedom with safety and...

Play is serious business! In this episode, Rusty Keeler takes us on a delightful stroll to explore why play matters so much for kids. In this episode of Play Nature Podcast , Rusty explains the ultimate question, what is play? He talks all about how play should be wild, wonderful, and a little muddy. No instructions needed—just curiosity, imagination, and maybe a hot bowl of “soup” from the mud ki...

Want to ditch the plastic jungle gyms and bring a little wild back to playtime? Good news--it’s easier than you think! In this episode of Play Nature Podcast , host Rusty Keeler shares his passion for natural playscapes — think trees to climb, logs to balance on, and mud to squish. It’s all about giving kids the freedom to explore, take risks, and spark their imaginations. Rusty describes the magi...

Get ready to get to know the one and only Rusty Keeler—podcast host, playground designer, and lover of all things play and nature! Rusty’s not just about swings and slides; he’s on a mission to bring kids closer to the great outdoors. From his early days in industrial design to becoming a champion for natural play spaces, Rusty’s journey is packed with passion, creativity, and a whole lot of dirt...

In the first episode of the Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler shares his mission of connecting children with nature through outdoor play and natural playscapes. In a world where children are indoors and on screens more than ever, Rusty’s encouraging words that “it doesn’t take huge things to make a huge difference” make creating meaningful outdoor experiences feel attainable. As a seasoned pl...

Welcome to the Play Nature Podcast ! Hosted by Rusty Keeler, this is your guide for supporting outdoor play, protecting childhood, and letting kids be kids. Join Rusty to uncover the wonders of outdoor play and learn what tools you already have to create joyful, natural play experiences for all seasons, all weather, and all children. Let’s make the world a better place by saying “Yes!” to play. Le...