Contact is a child playing outside at lunchtime. Connection goes deeper. It's about noticing, feeling, exploring and reflecting.
And that difference matters for children's wellbeing.
We're excited to share our latest NatureFix Nature Wellness Walk recently installed at Viewbank Primary School, in collaboration with their wonderful team who are doing some fantastic work to support student wellbeing.
The trail has six stations, giving children simple, repeatable activities to help them move from simply being outside to meaningfully connecting with nature.
Why does this matter?
Schools are dealing with increasing anxiety and emotional dysregulation, and teachers need practical ways to help children settle, reset and re-engage. Nature can help. But simply providing more green space isn't the whole answer.
A 2025 systematic review published in Child and Adolescent Mental Health examined 22 studies of nature connection activities for children and young people.
The researchers found promising evidence that deliberate engagement with nature can support self regulation, attention, social skills and engagement with learning.
Activities included walking, sensory exploration, reflection and creative experiences in nature. While the evidence is still developing, the review highlights the potential for schools to go beyond simply providing green space and actively help children connect with nature.
Example of installed nature connection activities at Viewbank Primary.
At Viewbank Primary, the guided activities are at the heart of this approach, turning a minute outside into a meaningful moment. Match this with purpose-built gardens and connective furniture and the result is the transformation of a school ground into a wellbeing asset.
A Sky Seat outside the art room creates a place for children to practice looking up at nature which is known to spark creativity. A textured sensory garden + NatureFix connection activity gives Grade Six students opportunities to regulate through touch and smell.
And that's the opportunity for schools everywhere.
Optimise the nature that is already there, and give children practical ways to connect with it.
We've developed a free NatureFix teaching pack to help schools get started. Have a look at it here: Teacher Pack
Research: How can nature connectedness and behaviours for learning be deliberately developed in children, adolescents and young adults? Child and Adolescent Mental Health (2025).