Like you, I believe that children need to connect with the real world outside — blue sky, trees, grass, water, sand, mud, weather and seasons — the good stuff!
I have been designing natural outdoor play environments for children for over 30 years. I love it! There are so many great things you can do to improve your outdoor space—any yard, any budget!
My playscape designs are filled with hills, pathways, gardens, sculpture, sand, water, mud, loose materials, even chickens!
I’ve written three books on play and playscapes including my latest, Adventures in Risky Play: What is Your Yes?
I also give professional development workshops and keynote talks on natural playscapes and the benefits of saying YES to risky play!
Play is the language of childhood. It’s how children learn, grow, and make sense of the world. I believe that play should be natural, unstructured, and full of opportunities for children to stretch their spirits and imaginations. Through loose parts, nature play design, and risky play, I believe that outdoor play environments should inspire children to create, explore, and engage with the natural elements around them, fostering a deep connection to the earth and each other.
Rusty Keeler is more than just a designer—he’s a play advocate, an artist, a dad, and a leader in the field of natural play. His work has taken him across the globe, helping communities create play spaces that reflect their unique cultures and environments.
Rusty’s passion for play is contagious, and his commitment to helping you discover the joy of getting outside. He teaches you how all the little things matter when you’re creating spaces where children can grow, learn, and thrive! Rusty’s know-how and energy is unmatched. Whether you’re looking for ideas to help you get outside more often, or you want to transform a single backyard or a community park, Rusty brings his expertise, creativity, and heart to every resource, workshop or speaking engagement he offers!
Check out episode 4 of Rusty’s YouTube nature play show looking at how to add plants for play to any yard, a nature play design sample, plus everybody’s favorite segment “2 Minutes of Play” featuring Rusty’s sons in action.
Over the years Rusty has been a part of so many different kinds of projects….from playscape builds in Chinese orphanages, to an Autism Nature Trail, to playscape designs at preschools, parks, zoos, elementary schools and community centers, to a 10-city Australian speaking + fairy hut building tour, to keynoting conferences in Bali, New Zealand, and all across North America. Check out these videos of two of his favorites: a nature-based adventure playground in a children’s garden, and a public school recess reimagination.
Rusty helped start the adventure-playground-inspired Hands-on-Nature Anarchy Zone at Ithaca Children’s Garden where children are free to climb trees, dig in the mud, build forts, mess around with loose parts and lots more!
As part of the Just Play Project Rusty helped lead a project at multiple public elementary schools in Ithaca, NY to bring sheds, loose parts, rethinking rules, and playwork training for staff to support more child-directed free play for students K-5th grade. Yeah!
Transform Your Children’s Play
Imagine a play environment where children explore, grow, take risks, and connect with nature. Rusty is here to guide you in making that vision a reality. Discover how his expertise can help you create magical spaces that inspire a deeper love for outdoor play.
