Ep 28 | Kristy DeGraaf on Nature Play, Outdoor Learning, and Advocacy

This episode of the Play Nature Podcast feels like stepping into a backyard where something magical is always unfolding. Mud. Water. Sand. Stories.

Host Rusty Keeler welcomes Kristy DeGraff to explore what happens when we trust children, follow curiosity, and let nature lead the way. It’s about more than play. It’s about belonging. It’s about building spaces where kids can dig deep, take risks, and feel at home in the world.

Kristy brings a powerful blend of experience. Social worker. Educator. Mother. Advocate. She shares how her journey, from supporting families in crisis to designing a nature-rich childcare program, shaped the way she sees children and community.

This conversation stretches beyond the backyard. Into systems. Into advocacy. Into the work of speaking up for children and families. Kristy reminds us that change doesn’t have to be big to matter. A phone call. A small shift. A single idea put into motion. It all counts. Just like in play, we start where we are. And we keep going.

Top Takeaways from Kristy DeGraaf:

• Dream big. Start small. Never stop. Whether you’re building a play space or creating change
• Children thrive in environments that invite risk, creativity, and real-world exploration
• Advocacy doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Small actions, done consistently, make a difference

Links:

kristydegraaf.com

Instagram: @kristy.degraaf

Facebook: Kristy DeGraaf

TikTok: @kristykae.childcarepro

Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs

Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide