Welcome to Play Nature Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the beauty and benefits of outdoor, nature-based play—for all children (and us adults too!)
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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 (the good kind!).
As you get to know Rusty in this episode, he takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of playgrounds around the world! He’s seen it all—lush green spaces, buzzing bees, and kids laughing their way through nature-filled fun.
He shares why play is universal, why nature is the best playground of all, and how we can make outdoor spaces both safe and adventurous.
Feeling inspired? That’s exactly what Rusty hopes for! He’s here to encourage YOU: parents, educators, and communities to rethink play spaces and embrace the beauty of natural environments.
So grab a cup of coffee (or step outside for a breath of fresh air!), and let’s dive into the magic of outdoor play!
**Stick around to the end of the episode to hear Rusty answer listener questions! He’s covering bees (Spoiler alert: Kids and bees can totally coexist!), grass vs. turf, and tools for your mud kitchen.
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide
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26:09
Ep 1 | Welcome to the Play Nature Podcast
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 playscape designer, Rusty discusses the importance of free play, risky play, and natural experiences in fostering creativity and resilience in children. This episode lays the foundation for future conversations about practical design ideas, inspiring stories, and the philosophy of play. Join Rusty as he invites parents, educators, and designers to rethink childhood and prioritize nature in kids' lives.
Get ready to be inspired and start transforming play—one outdoor play experience at a time!
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide
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25:42
Play Nature Podcast Trailer
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.
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Welcome to Play Nature Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the beauty and benefits of outdoor, nature-based play—for all children (and us adults too!)
Hosted by Rusty Keeler, a passionate play advocate, with over 30 years of experience designing natural playscapes, writing about nature and risky play, and traveling the world to champion the power of play, Rusty’s Play Nature Podcast is your guide for supporting outdoor play, protecting childhood, and letting kids be kids.
From willow huts and mud kitchens to sunflower houses and kale forests, Rusty will delve into the magic of natural materials, loose parts, messy play, and even the value of risky play in children’s lives. You’ll discover practical ways to nurture play in your own backyard, neighborhood, school, or community.
Join Rusty Keeler 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.
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
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