As part of the Commit2Green Horizon Europe project, more than 45 children aged 5–6 from two kindergartens in Thessaloniki, Greece, participated in a series of age-appropriate, participatory workshops focused on re-connecting with nature and re-imagining their schoolyards through nature-based solutions. The process was carefully designed to introduce complex concepts—such as urban greening, biodiversity, and climate challenges—in a playful and accessible way. Through interactive storytelling and hands-on exploration, children began to understand how cities have gradually moved away from natural materials and how bringing nature back into everyday spaces can benefit both people and the environment.
Based on this groundwork, the children investigated and reflected on their schoolyards using guided, playful exercises. They shared which places they enjoy, which they tend to avoid, and how they currently use outdoor spaces for play and social interaction. By discussing their feelings and emotions connected to different areas, the workshops created space for a meaningful and inclusive evaluation of their daily environment. Hands-on engagement with natural materials further strengthened their connection to nature, fostering sensory exploration, creativity, and collaboration. Through drawing and collective creations children expressed their ideas and articulated their wishes for new activities and play opportunities in a greener schoolyard.
Although adapted to their developmental stage, the process ensured that even the youngest members of the school community could actively contribute to the co-design process. Their insights and preferences will inform the development of natural schoolyards, reinforcing Commit2Green’s commitment to participatory planning, community-level greening, and the creation of inclusive, climate-resilient urban spaces from an early age.
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