We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for Social Impact of the YearAward at the inaugural Awards of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network.
The Awards are dedicated to honouring the exceptional contributions of students, professional practitioners, and institutional settings within the Early Childhood sector.
The full list of shortlisted nominees will be available on the ECSDN website soon.
The inaugural ECSDN awards ceremony takes place on Friday 23rd January 2026 at the University of Northampton.
Wish us the very best of luck and we’ll let you know if we’re successful in the new year.
Playful Green Planet is RSA’s first big fellows-led initiative. It is made possible through the work of RSA Fellows like Lee. If you’re interested in being part of the change, perhaps RSA Fellowship is for you?
Passionate about making a positive change where you live?
Discover what the RSA Fellowship can do for your community and you:
Following many successful small events in our beautiful Botanical Gardens, on 25th of October we we thrilled to host our first big launch event for Playful Green Hull. For this blog update, we’re excited to share a video update on this fantastic event. A HUGE thank you to all of our partners and volunteers that made the day special.
We’re looking forward to updating you further when we complete evaluation and analysis of our initial findings.
Welcome back to the PGP blog. This post details our Summer family feast and the launch of our new tree trail. Continue reading to find out more about all the fun we had and see some photos from the event which was a resounding success.
Tree Trail
During the event we launched our new Tree Trail. Visitors to the gardens can now use our map to navigate a path around the site and learn facts both whimsical, historical and scientific about some of our beautiful trees.
Keen observers may also spot some hidden creatures who have taken up residence in their branches so look carefully! Grown-ups and little ones alike loved exploring the site on the day and using the map to make sure they ticked off all the trees.
Family Feast
Families who attended helped to prepare some delicious food, (much of it homegrown by our star grower Cathy!) and to cook it over our firepit with many of the children using fire lighting flints to get the fire going.
Plenty of marshmallows were toasted for afters and made into delicious smores – our youngest attendees were particularly enthusiastic about taking part in this activity!
Highlights
Here at Playful Green Hull we are particularly lucky to have a fantastic forest water run on site which inspired an impromptu family water fight! Luckily the weather was on our side and everyone dried off quickly.
Families also enjoyed using our bug and minibeast hunting resources to find small creatures who have formed habitats across our site. And it wouldn’t be a Playful Green Planet get together without some very impressive tree climbing!
Save the date!
On the 25th of October we will be hosting our official launch event at the Botanic Gardens. This PGP launch event will provide opportunities to set intentions for the Autumn and Winter seasons ahead, with a little help from the local fairies! Families will have opportunities to create magical seasonal crafts, enjoy some cosy Autumnal refreshments and celebrate all that Autumn has to offer through the power of storytelling, song and nature. Come and join us, (spooky) fancy dress encouraged!
We are still finalising the details for this event so watch this space to find out more and book your place!
Welcome to the PGP blog. This is the first of what will be a regular series of posts, exploring ideas close to the project and providing you with any updates on what’s going on onsite!
Who are we?
We are a small team of academics from the School of Education at the University of Hull who are passionate about connecting children and people from across the local community with nature. We are based in the Botanic Gardens at Thwaite Hall, where we have historically trained many professionals across the education community to become Forest School practitioners. For this project, we are working closely with the Royal Society of Arts, in close collaboration with The Eden Project and Bath Spa University.
What is PGP?
Playful Green Planet is a National landmark project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Currently in the pilot phase, Hull is lucky enough to have been included in the project, alongside Dundee, as one of the first two sites nationally.
The PGP project aims to connect children with nature, using community driven approaches combined with creative play in the great outdoors. The project seeks to support the transformation of previously underutilised green spaces locally, to maximise the benefit of project sites for both children and the environment.
Many terms have been used to describe humanity’s need to be close to the natural world. ‘Biophilia’ refers to the innate desire of all humans to be surrounded by biological and natural life (Gunnarsson and Hedblom, 2023). The concept of ‘awe’ suggests that humans have a greater capacity for feeling wonder and marvel when observing natural spectacles, both big and small, than in other areas of life (Ballew and Omoto, 2018).
Evidence suggests that spending time in the great outdoors can have positive impacts on our wellbeing and mental health, as well as the physical benefits of being more active in the fresh air (Roberts et al, 2020). Research findings demonstrate that people may even experience less boredom in natural spaces (always a win for parents!) (O’Dea et al., 2025). However, humans spending time in nature can have a positive impact on green spaces too. The closer we feel to the natural world and the greater our understanding of it, the more we want to protect and preserve it.
Despite the positive implications for both nature and people, findings suggest that overall, we are spending less time outside than ever, with numbers having dropped after a temporary peak during the Covid-19 pandemic (Office for Natural Statistics, 2023). Children from families with lower household incomes are particularly impacted, with almost three quarters of children whose annual household income totals less than £17,000 spending less time outdoors, despite 8 in 10 children stating that time in nature makes them very happy (Natural England, 2021).
At a time when climate change poses a major threat to both the human and natural world, it has never been more significant that we seek to heal our relationship with nature (Forest Stewardship Council, 2024). The PGP project team here at Hull believe that it is crucial that children are offered opportunities to develop positive relationships with nature through what they know best – play!
By offering children from across Hull a space to have playful interactions with the natural world, the PGP project can support them to harness positive benefits such as an increased capacity for exercising agency, including increased critical thinking skills and self-reflection (Gjelvik et al., 2024). A wide range of research findings also suggest that time spent playing in green spaces allows children to develop improved creativity, owing to factors such as more time spent alone, disconnection from technologies and the relaxing and inspirational qualities provided by natural spaces (Vella-Brodrick et al., 2024).
What’s happening next?
PGP Hull are on a mission to support as many children from across our city as possible to spend time in our beautiful green space at Thwaite Gardens. We are in the early stages of running regular sessions with local schools and private settings. If you and your setting or community group would like to participate in the project, please drop us a message as we would love to connect with you!
We are lucky enough to have the support and wisdom of some of the most inspiring partners from across Hull in the form of our co-design council. If you are an organisation or group working in the Hull area with a focus on the arts, nature or childhood and would be interested in joining the council, please reach out for further discussion.
Events
On the 19th of August from 4:30-6:30 pm, we will be hosting a Family Feast event and Tree Trail. During the event, we will be doing some campfire cooking – making a healthy, plant-based meal of veggie skewers over our firepit. With toasted marshmallows for dessert! Families from across the community are welcome to join us and spend time playing across our whole site and completing our tree trail. Please email us at ForestSchoolHull@hull.ac.uk to let us know if you will be coming and make us aware of any dietary requirements.
We are currently in the process of planning our launch event which will take place at the Botanic Gardens on the 25th of October. The event will see us collaborate with our partners to bring you a fun-filled day of seasonal, nature-based crafts, play and entertainment.
Watch this space for more information!
References:
Ballew, M.T. and Omoto, A.M., 2018. Absorption: How nature experiences promote awe and other positive emotions. Ecopsychology, 10(1), pp. 26-35. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2017.0039 [Accessed 25 July 2025].
Forest Stewardship Council, 2024. Why is sustainability important? [online] FSC. Available at: https://fsc.org/en/blog/why-is-sustainability-important#Why%20is%20sustainability%20important? [Accessed 25 July 2024].
Gjelvik, I. G., Hauge, Å. L., Lindheim, M. Ø., Johansen, E. H., & Johnsen, S. Å. K., 2024. Affordances for agency in a nature-based outdoor activity program: a qualitative study of ‘Nature school’ for childhood critical illness survivors and next of kin. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, pp. 1–22. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2024.2386342 [Accessed 25 July 2025].
Gunnarsson, B. and Hedblom, M., 2023. Biophilia revisited: nature versus nurture. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 38(9), pp. 792-794. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.06.002 [Accessed 25 July 2025]
O’Dea, M.K., Militaru, I.E., Igou, E.R., Rentfrow, P.J., Barrett, I. and van Tilburg, W.A.P., 2025. Nature adds color to life: Less boredom in natural versus artificial environments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 154(8), pp. 2220–2240. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001764 [Accessed 25 July 2025].
Roberts, A., Hinds, J. and Camic, P.M., 2019. Nature activities and wellbeing in children and young people: a systematic literature review. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 20(4), pp. 298–318. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2019.1660195 [Accessed 25 July 2025]
Vella-Brodrick, D.A., Lewis, K.J. & Gilowska, K., 2024. Exploring the nature-creativity connection across different settings: A scoping review. Educational Psychology Review, 36, pp. 134. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09964-0 [Accessed 25 July 2025].
Today we were thrilled to host representatives from across the city for our first Co-Design Council Meeting. Our Co-Design Council is our core stakeholder group. They are our coalition of local partners with the expertise, resources and connections to drive the success of PGP in Hull. Attendees included the Friends of Thwaite Gardens, University Estates, THRIVE Cooperative Trust, The Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, Hull City Council, Pan Galactic, Rewilding Youth and more!
Our first meeting focused on developing outdoor learning opportunities for children in Hull, particularly through the use of green spaces like the Botanic Gardens. The aim is to foster confidence in both children and adults, promote safe exploration, and ensure inclusive access to nature.
Key Themes and Discussions
1. Access and Inclusion
Many families feel disconnected from green spaces due to cost, distance, or perception.
The project seeks to reframe nature as a shared, accessible resource.
Emphasis on working with children with additional needs in safe, enclosed environments.
2. Safety and Site Management
Importance of clear communication about site features (e.g., maps, photos).
Importance of risk assessments, especially regarding chemicals and poisonous plants.
Interest in creating child-friendly zones with edible and non-edible plantings.
3. Educational and Creative Opportunities
Integration of science (e.g., biodiversity monitoring, bio blitzes) with creative storytelling (e.g., fairy trails, child lore).
Potential for interdisciplinary student projects (e.g., biology and education).
Use of artistic approaches to make science more accessible and engaging.
4. Community and Collaboration
Strong desire to involve local communities, schools, and creative practitioners.
Discussion of intergenerational learning and community-led development.
Interest in linking with existing initiatives like the Children’s University and Eco Fest.
Today, the RSA is launching the Playful Green Planet Network – a bold new initiative which will roll out nature-based play and outdoor learning across the UK.
After the success of pilots here (in Hull) and in Dundee, the RSA is aspiring to grow a national movement that empowers communities to transform underused green spaces into imaginative playrooms and outdoor classrooms designed for and with local children.
We’re super excited to be part of this in Hull – and hope you enjoy checking out the below video from our partners in Dundee and the RSA:
What is Playful Green Planet?
Playful Green Planet transforms green spaces into ecologically thriving outdoor playrooms and classrooms that grow children’s (0-11) ecological citizenship.
Playful Green Planet is committed to growing, connecting and supporting a movement of Playful Green Planet Stewards (from the RSA Fellowship) who are co-creating and co-producing nature-based play and learning experiences for all children and the early years, community and school settings in their neighbourhoods.
Dr Lee Fallin was delighted to support RSA Fellows Fest 2025 today by running Playful Green Urban Adventures outside of RSA House. Taking delegates to the nearby Victoria Embankment Gardens, Lee as able to help champion the values of PGP by encouraging connection with nature and play. It also provided the perfect opportunity to share some of our initial learning from Hull.
You can see Lee’s reflections on the garden in his personal blog here:
The University of Hull is delighted to announce it will be at the forefront of an innovative new programme aimed at connecting children to nature and their community. Underpinned by the University’s School of Education’s well-established expertise in Forest School and outdoor learning approaches, the University has been chosen as a pilot for Playful Green Planet – a landmark programme from the RSA, (Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), a social impact charity in collaboration with the Eden Project and Bath Spa University.
Playful Green Planet, aims to bridge the significant gap in children’s connection to nature, especially in marginalised or disadvantaged areas, by creating ecologically thriving outdoor play spaces and learning environments. The project aims to transform how children connect with nature and community through outdoor creative play. It responds to the current sizeable gap in children’s connection to nature, particularly in cities and urban areas.
The project is the first of its kind in the UK and will identify areas of land in urban and economically disadvantaged areas, drawing on the expertise and talents of local individuals, coalitions and communities to transform those spaces into ecologically thriving outdoor play spaces and learning environments that foster children’s knowledge, confidence and engagement in the natural environments.
Currently research suggests that more than one in ten children do not visit a natural environment annually, four out of five lack a connection to nature at all, and three-quarters of children spend less time outdoors than is recommended for prison inmates. Playful Green Planet seeks to reverse this trend, starting with pilot sites in Hull and Dundee, inspired by the Forest of Imagination and mini Edens.
In Hull, the transformation will be led by leading experts from the University of Hull’s School of Education, Dr Isobel Reagan, Dr Lee Fallin and Dr Jo Traunter. Their goal is to support young children’s learning through the creation of ‘environments of inquiry’ across the University’s green sites on campus and the University Botanic Gardens in Cottingham, drawing on a strong network of pupils, teachers, schools and local authorities.
Dr Jo Traunter, Senior Lecturer in Education and Early Childhood, said:
“This project is a fantastic opportunity for children and families in Hull to connect with nature in our green spaces. It also highlights the University’s expertise in this area of education. Our aim is to foster meaningful interactions with nature, translating into research that will transform how we work with children and families in green spaces.”
Dr Isobel Reagan, Lecturer in Education and Childhood Studies, said: “We will be working with our partners in Hull and East Riding including children’s services, local academy chains, children’s charities, and the NHS trust. Students will additionally be involved, ensuring the continuation of Playful Green Planet’s work in schools and settings across the region, This will ensure that the green spaces and experiences are co-created with local children as well as social and environmental experts is key to this project.”
The ambitious project will be supported by the Eden Project who will bring its extensive experience in developing nature-based spaces and activities for children. Together, they will co-design these spaces with local communities, enhancing biodiversity, accessibility, and community engagement.
The first phase of this project will aim to reach 2000 children after the first year, with a view to expanding this reach to 200,000 in five years as the initiative secures partnerships for more sites around the country, working in partnership with the charity Land Trust.
Alan Carter, Chief Executive at the Land Trust, said: “This pilot study has the potential to be a game changer, and it’s all the more exciting to be working on plans with the project partners at this early stage to implement the learnings coming forward from this pilot.
“We’re committed to helping create a world where children and young adults know and value the environment around them, enjoy accessing the many benefits which they can receive from it, and in turn work to protect and enhance it.”
Joanna Choukeir, Director of Design and Innovation at the RSA, said:
“We are so excited to begin work on Playful Green Planet and are enormously grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for the support to make this work happen.”
“With our partners in Hull, we want to equip a generation of young leaders with the confidence and capabilities to connect with, care for, and regenerate people, places and planet.”
Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: “We are delighted to work with the RSA on this landmark project which puts nature at the heart of a radical new approach to education.
“Playful Green Planet will start by transforming locations in Dundee and Hull, creating thriving outdoor classrooms to reach those children left behind my traditional education routes. We look forward to seeing this go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
Playful Green Planet is a pillar of the RSA’s Design for Life mission: to enable people, place and planet to flourish in harmony, and to create a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to a more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative future
