Experiencing nature and engaging in play are vital supports for children suffering from trauma and displacement. The following studies reveal children’s resilience in times of crisis as they find ways to cope through both nature and play, which support mental health through restoration, recovery, and feelings of hope and peace.

Physical spaces that enable play and nature contact help refugee children cope with the trauma of displacement

This research summary explored 33 studies and publications across the globe to develop an understanding of how the physical environment and play opportunities in refugee settlements support children (age 3-18) dealing with trauma. Although there is a paucity of research, playable spaces seem to help displaced children regain identity and negotiate a new culture. Therapeutic benefits, including restoration and recovery, were also identified.
Weir, Khan & Marmot, 2023. Displaced children’s experience of places and play: a scoping review.
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Refugee children and youth demonstrate resilience and find solace in nature

Twenty-six Syrian refugees (age 8-18) were given cameras and asked to take photographs documenting their lives at informal refugee settlements in Lebanon. Photographs and accompanying narratives revealed that children and youth demonstrated several resilience strategies, including retreating to nature for solitude and solace. Children and youth described nature as a source of happiness, hope, peace and strength.
Karr, Sajadi & Aronson-Ensign, 2021. The lived experience of refugee children in informal camp settlements: A photovoice project in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. 
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Children look to play and nature to help them cope in situations of crisis

Children (age 6-18) from India, Nepal, Japan and Thailand found ways to play after experiencing natural disasters and other crises. Play spaces often included elements of nature. This research – while suggesting that children look to nature when faced with crises in their lives – also “illustrates children’s adaptive capacity to manage risks in high-risk, unsafe environments… first as a coping mechanism and over time as a process of building resilience.”
Chatterjee, 2018. Children’s coping, adaptation and resilience through play in situations of crisis.
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Nature as a therapeutic intervention for children with war-related trauma is an under-researched area. In the absence of research examining therapeutic nature-based interventions for young survivors of war and displacement, studies of children coping with other traumatic experiences may be helpful in developing an understanding of nature’s healing potential. The literature reviews in this section highlight the research revealing mental health and well-being benefits from therapeutic engagement with nature for trauma-affected youth. Given the alarming trend of increasing numbers of children living in displacement from human-caused or natural disasters, more research is desperately needed to develop an understanding of how nature supports healing in these contexts.

Trauma survivors showed positive mental health changes from psychosocial interventions situated in nature

This literature review examined nature’s use in psychosocial interventions with young people (age 10-24) who have experienced trauma and/or have PTSD. While such interventions are an emerging practice, and research is scant, the 10 reviewed studies (from the U.S., Spain, Australia and Israel) consistently reported positive changes across different dimensions of mental health, including reduced psychological distress and behavioral issues, and improved psychosocial adaptation or functioning.
Boddy et al., 2021. Psychosocial interventions situated within the natural environment with young people who have experienced trauma: A scoping review.
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The therapeutic and protective potential of nature for children with ACEs warrants researcher and practitioner attention

This review, based on studies from multiple countries, focused on both the therapeutic and protective potential of nature for young children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Children experiencing the negative impact of adversity can benefit from therapeutic nature-based interventions. Intervening before the appearance of psychopathologies, however, could potentially counter the negative effects of ACEs altogether.
Touloumakos & Barrable, 2020. Adverse childhood experiences: The protective and therapeutic potential of nature. 
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Adventure therapy may provide emotional healing for adolescents experiencing complex trauma

Seven studies were included in this literature review focusing on adventure therapy as an intervention for adolescents experiencing complex trauma. While all studies reported enduring therapeutic benefits as a result of adventure therapy, several areas of concern were noted. Overall, however, the review supports the view that adventure therapy provides adolescents with complex trauma an opportunity for healing through “humane, empowering, and dignified experiences.”
Pringle et al., 2023. Adventure therapy for adolescents with complex trauma: A scoping review and analysis.
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Engaging with nature through recreational activities can help children and families in crisis situations cope with trauma and increase their sense of well-being. The studies in this section indicate that connecting with nature and forming social networks through nature are central to overall well-being and establishing a sense of belonging for young refugees and their families as they resettle in new environments.

Nature encounters can promote a sense of belonging  and enhance the overall well-being of refugees

Seventeen young adult refugees (age 18-30) who, as youth, had been unaccompanied asylum-seekers that resettled in Finland, created artworks and were interviewed about nature’s role in their well-being. Nature encounters generated positive feelings and thoughts, fostered a sense of belonging, and helped the refugees feel connected, either with other people through social interactions in nature or with nature itself.
Haswell, 2023. Nature and belonging in the lives of young refugees: A relational wellbeing perspective.
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Community garden activities strengthened refugee families’ well-being and self-determination

Eight Syrian refugee families living in Denmark participated in the development of a community garden. Interviews with three families revealed their perception that “the garden was a sanctuary.” Gardening supported social benefits, well-being, and a sense of belonging. Results suggest that collaboration and joint work in a community garden offers an empowering experience for refugee families that can strengthen general well-being and self-determination.
Storm et al., 2023. Community garden developed by refugees from Syria—A sanctuary and a space for learning and empowerment.
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Engaging refugees in nature-based leisure activities may promote well-being and sense of belonging

This study investigated the impact of nature-based leisure on the well-being of refugees (three from African countries, one from Iran) who had experienced significant personal trauma before arriving in Canada. The refugees — including two women with children — participated in a two-day winter camping experience. Findings point to the value of nature-based leisure activities for mitigating stress and fostering well-being.
Hurly & Walker, 2019. “When you see nature, nature give you something inside”: The role of nature-based leisure in fostering refugee well-being in Canada.
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While nature offers healing and solace desperately needed by children in crisis situations, there are many barriers that impede their engagement with the natural environment. Additionally, children’s need for play is rarely addressed in post-disaster response efforts. The studies in this section call attention to the factors that restrict opportunities to play and engage with nature as experienced by children living in refugee camps or temporary housing sites. These factors range from stark safety concerns in militarized zones to challenges in accessing greenspaces and playspaces in resettlement areas.

Provisions for children’s play should be recognized as a pillar of humanitarian aid in post-disaster situations

Children’s opportunities for outdoor play were investigated in two post-disaster contexts: (1) north-east Japan after the triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant failure and (2) a refugee camp in Jordan accommodating Syrian refugees. Some constructed playspaces were provided in both settings, yet, opportunities for safe and stimulating play were limited. Findings highlight the need for making children’s play a pillar of humanitarian aid.
Woolley, 2021. Beyond the fence: constructed and found spaces for children’s outdoor play in natural and human-induced disaster contexts – lessons from north-east Japan, and Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.
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Children’s spatial agency is important for hope and healthy psychological functioning in contexts of war and violence

Twenty-nine Palestinian children (age 7-13) drew maps and led researchers on walks to explore the Dheisheh refugee camp, West Bank. Children’s depictions of outdoor spaces demonstrated a struggle to establish a sense of control and ownership of play spaces amidst military violence. The study revealed children’s spatial practices that enabled them to “mark out spaces of freedom and normality,” which supported well-being and healthy functioning.
Veronese et al., 2020. Spatial agency as a source of resistance and resilience among Palestinian children living in Dheisheh refugee camp, Palestine.
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Urban green spaces may not be safely accessible from the perspective of refugee children

A study examined the availability, accessibility and attractiveness of urban green space (UGS) at 30 refugee housing sites in Berlin, Germany based on refugee children’s perspectives. Compared to other residents, refugee children had fewer opportunities to access UGS, and nearby UGS tended to be lower in attractiveness with greater environmental challenges. Findings highlight the need for policies supporting the creation of urban green space within safe walking distances of refugee accommodations.
Chen & Knöll, 2024. Environmental justice in the context of access to urban green spaces for refugee children.
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Neighborhood playspaces may be inaccessible for children housed in refugee accommodations

This study investigated refugee children’s opportunities for play in the neighborhoods of six refugee accommodation sites in Berlin, Germany. A multi-step assessment revealed that while there were many potential formal and informal playspaces, very few were easily accessible for refugee children. In fact, some sites had no accessible playspaces within safe walking distance. Methods used by the study offer a new approach for assessing playspace accessibility.
Chen & Knöll, 2023. Refugee children’s access to play in meso-environments: A novel approach using space syntax and GIS.
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