🌿 Natural Wellness Play — Written to Help You Help Your Children Learn

Muddy hands and faces enjoying the open space

I've spent over 20 years working with children — in primary schools, as a childminder, and alongside families navigating all kinds of learning journeys. And one thing I know for certain is this: every single child can learn, thrive, and discover the joy of nature when we give them the right kind of support and encouragement.

That's exactly why I wrote Natural Wellness Play.

This isn't just a book for home educators, though of course you're very welcome here! It's for any parent, carer, or grandparent who wants to help the children in their life connect with nature, understand where food comes from, and learn through doing rather than just reading about it. Whether your child is in school, being home educated, or somewhere in between — this book is for your family.

I wrote it because I've seen how transformative it is when a child plants their first seed and watches it grow. When they smell fresh herbs they've tended themselves. When they ask "I wonder what happens if..." and then actually find out. That spark of curiosity — that's what I wanted to bottle up and put into your hands.

What's inside?

The book walks you through everything from setting up a growing space (honestly, a windowsill is absolutely fine — you don't need a garden) to growing herbs and vegetables together as a family, running simple science investigations, and building the kind of nature-based routines that children remember for the rest of their lives.

Front cover of Natural Wellness Play book

There's a brilliant Quick Start Guide for families who want to dive straight in, a whole section on creative problem solving for small spaces, and activities that grow with your child from age 5 right through to 16+. Because in my experience, the best learning happens when everyone — little ones and teenagers alike — are discovering together.

Making it Work for Everyone

I've also included a section that's close to my heart: making all of this work for every child. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory differences, or simply learns in a way that doesn't fit the traditional mould, I want you to feel supported rather than overwhelmed. Their differences aren't obstacles — they're often where their greatest strengths are hiding.

“Learning looks different for every child — and that difference is a strength.”

And for those of you who love to see your child's progress captured somewhere meaningful, there are lovely ideas for nature study portfolios, photo documentation, and garden journals that show real learning in a real and beautiful way.

The companion booklets

Alongside the main book, I've developed a series of smaller booklets to help families go deeper into the topics they love most. These include the Detective Laboratory Toolkit, Plant Science Investigations, Advanced Plant Science, and coming soon will be Garden Problem Solvers, the Young Inventors Challenge, four Seasonal Detective Adventures (one for each season of the year), and Herbal Detective Booklets. You'll find details inside the book on page 66, and they'll be available very soon on the website.

How to get your copy

Natural Wellness Play is available as a paperback on Amazon for £18.50 — a proper, keep-forever book you can pass between siblings, scribble notes in, and pull off the shelf whenever inspiration strikes. If you'd prefer to start straight away, you can download the PDF version from for just £11.00 on the shop page of the website.

There are also free resources on the website — journal pages, science templates, and more — because I believe good support for families should always be within reach, whatever your budget.

I hope this book becomes a well-loved part of your family's days. I hope it brings muddy hands, wide eyes, and the kind of quiet pride that comes from growing something yourself.

Most of all, I hope it reminds you — and your children — that learning doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it just needs a seed, a little patience, and someone who believes you can do it.

That person is you. And I'm right here cheering you on.

With love, Denise 🌱

whyplaylearning.com