A Natural Play Area is a designated space where children and young people are encouraged to play in the same way as you might expect at an Equipped Play Area. The main difference is that, here, play opportunities are designed around natural elements and aim to connect children to their local environment. Sometimes you might see a Natural Play Area located alongside an Equipped Play Area, and sometimes it could be a stand-alone space.
Typical features you may see in Natural Play Areas include:
Natural elements like timber, boulders and grass mounds to allow climbing, jumping and balancing
Natural surfaces like bark, sand and stone to allow digging, building and sensory play
Biodiversity and habitat creation to allow exploring, learning and observing
Informal play elements like musical play, sculptures and ground graphics to allow creative play, games and flexible fun
Seating and paths to support accessibility and social play
There are lots of ways you can play at a Natural Play Area - in fact we encourage your imagination to run WILD.
Feel free to bring your chalk, scooter, picnic blanket, magnifying glass, sketch pad or just use the space as it is.
Natural play is a fantastic activity for children of all ages and abilities. It typically invites play at a slower pace and it can change throughout the seasons. In particular, it has been shown to be really positive for children who:
Love to play in Equipped Play Areas, but sometimes enjoy a little variety and a different type of space
Struggle to play in 'wilder' natural spaces, either as they're unable to access them or they don't feel confident playing there
Feel more comfortable in calmer and softer spaces
Have a keen interest in nature, like to be crafty or creative
Benefit from sensory play that involves smells, touch or sound
Natural Play Areas are now widely recognised as hugely beneficial to the way children and young people develop through play. National best practice, including the Scottish Government 'Play Strategy for Scotland' promotes informal opportunities for play within community spaces.
It's not just children that benefit too! Building our parks with nature in mind helps our native wildlife thrive and offsets negative impacts of the climate crisis - helping create a healthy and sustainable environment for everyone.
Some of the key ways that children benefit from natural play include:
Spending more time outside, in the fresh air and around nature, helps support our immune systems and mental health
Outdoor play encourages physical activity, helping children grow strong and healthy
Opportunities for safe but risky play help children develop key life skills and an understanding of the world around them
Exploring, creating and problem-solving during play help children develop confidence and concentration
Having space to develop positive relationships with nature helps children learn about responsibility and care for the world around us
All children and young people should be able to play and interact with nature and their local environment. We hope that by providing a variety of accessible and safe Natural Play Areas across West Lothian, we can help support them in their development, healthy habits and a positive relationship with nature.
See below for some examples of the Natural Play Areas in West Lothian
Polkemmet Country Park Bug Towers
This old play structure was no longer suitable for climbing. Upcycling it into a bug hotel, gave the structure a new lease of life both for wildlife and for children. Old timber is the perfect habitat for our native species to thrive, so look out for bees, beetles and butterflies throughout different seasons.
The space includes working bug habitats, boulder stepping stones, native planting and playful signage. There are also lots of other opportunities for natural play at the Polkemmet Country Park to explore during your visit.
Why not try? Bringing your magnifying glass and exploring the area - you might find lots of interesting bugs and textures!
Lanthorn Park Natural Play Area
Designed to resemble a wild fort, there's lots of opportunities here for playing pretend, climbing and exploring.
The space includes wild grassland mounds, a climb & slide trail, boulders and a pea gravel pit. There are lots of other attractions in and around Lanthorn Park including a wildlife pond to explore during your visit.
Why not try? Playing a game of tig with the base point up at the blue posts!
Almondvale Natural Play Area
Nestled beside the equipped Almondvale Play Area, Livingston Centre and River Almond walking & cycle routes, we welcome everyone who wants to visit this lovely and nature-filled parkland.
The space includes the 'Symbiosis' sculpture, traversing stone walls and a sensory garden with boulder stepping stones, planting and musical play.
Why not try? Setting up a picnic by the sculpture and exploring the garden up close! Bring a pencil and paper, and take some rubbings of the stone surfaces here - how many different patterns can you pick up?
Please remember to play safely and responsibly at our Natural Play Areas. Our Natural Play Areas are designed with the same safety standards in place as Equipped Play Areas and are covered by a formal play inspection twice a year on top of the general grounds' maintenance regime.
All play is at the user's own risk, but we appreciate that not everyone is familiar with natural play. Key things to remember are:
Encourage your child to take safe risks that suit their age and ability
Support your child in learning how to assess risks on their own and set their own limits in terms of what they are comfortable doing
Always supervise your children in public places
Look out for bites, stings and ticks and familiarise yourself with how to deal with them
Wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate clothing to help you deal with muddy ground and slippy surfaces
Do not eat plants you're not familiar with
Remember to wash your hands after playing outside
Watch out for splinters and sharp points on sticks or rocks
Leave plants and animals where they are and don't harm them as they go about their daily lives
Please take all your litter home to avoid harming local wildlife and other children
Please keep dogs on a lead and clean up after them
If you spot any issues with the Play Area, please feel free to let us know by contacting the West Lothian Council Customer Service helpline in one of the following ways:
