Nature for Life Toolkit for Families & Supports

 

Image of a Kookaburra

Nature for Life is a friendly group in Canberra for adults with disabilities and neurodiversity. We know that being outside, noticing nature, and moving our bodies—alone or with others—helps everyone feel good, calm, and strong.

Why Is Nature Good For Your Loved One?

  • Spending time outdoors can help your loved one feel less stressed or worried, and can make them happier.

  • Moving, walking, and playing outside helps bodies get healthy and strong.

  • Nature makes it easier to relax, sleep, and feel more ready for each day.

  • Being in a green place, even for a few minutes, can help people feel less lonely and make new friends.

  • Doing small nature activities together is a great way to connect as a family.

Image of a Australian bush dirt road

Easy Nature Ideas for Every Day

You don’t need special skills to support your loved one in nature. For more easy activities, use the Nature for Life Fact Sheet

Some ideas to try:

  • Go Outside Together. Sit on the grass or under a tree. Go for a short walk or roll along a footpath or in a park.

  • Use all the senses:

    • Look: “What colours do you see? Point at something bright.”

    • Listen: “Can you hear a bird or the wind?”

    • Feel: “Touch a leaf or a stone—is it soft, cold, bumpy?”

    • Smell: “Is there a plant or flower that smells nice today?”

  • Get Moving by gentle stretching—reach to the sky like a tree.

  • Make animal shapes together—hop like a kangaroo or flap like a bird.

  • Cloud and sound spotting

    • Lie down and look for cloud shapes.

    • Close your eyes and count how many sounds you can hear (birds, wind, cars, laughter).

  • Nature art and treasure hunts

    • Collect sticks, leaves, or stones (safely) to make a little artwork or picture.

    • Go on a mini “treasure hunt”—find something green, rough, or tiny in your garden or park.

It’s great for everyone!

Five Ways to Feel Good in Nature

These are easy ways for families and supports to help get outdoors:

  • Connect: Share time in nature together. Talk, laugh, or just watch and listen together.

  • Be Active: Take a walk, move your arms or legs, or play a simple game outside.

  • Keep Learning: Try something new. Touch a new plant, look for bugs, or make a small nature project at home.

  • Take Notice: Sit quietly and notice something: the sky, the smell of rain, the feeling of wind.

  • Give: Care for a plant, tidy up leaves, or spend time helping others feel good in nature.

Try a Nature Reflection

Reflection in Nature helps people notice, remember, and feel good about things that happen outside together.

  • Use words, drawing, pointing, or pictures to show how you feel in nature.

  • The Nature Reflection Tool supports all ways of communicating: AAC devices, gestures, smiles.

  • How it works:

    • After time in nature, find a calm spot together.

    • Use the sheet to draw, circle how you feel (happy, calm, excited), or pick an image.

    • Grown-ups, carers, and participants can use the tool together—reading is not required.

    • This tool helps everyone remember favourite moments and plan what to do next time.

Print the Nature Reflection Tool

All activities are safe for all ages and can be adapted for any ability. Enjoy sharing and reflecting in nature your way!

Use at home, in the garden, or bring your sheet to group to share!