A new nationwide initiative promotes forests as an essential part of healthy childhood development
Finland is once again turning to one of its greatest natural assets—the forest—to improve public health. A new guidebook, Raised by Nature, is encouraging expectant parents and families with young children to spend more time outdoors, arguing that regular contact with natural environments can strengthen children’s immune systems, improve physical development, and support long-term wellbeing. The guide has been produced by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) and will be distributed through family health clinics across Finland. It provides practical advice for families from pregnancy through the first years of a child’s life, making nature a central part of everyday routines rather than an occasional excursion. According to the publication, spending time in natural environments during pregnancy may contribute to the wellbeing of the unborn child. After birth, regular visits to forests and other green spaces expose children to diverse natural microbes that help develop the immune system while also supporting motor skills, curiosity, creativity, and learning. The guide offers simple suggestions for parents, such as allowing toddlers to safely touch bark, moss, pine cones, sticks, and other natural materials during forest walks. These sensory experiences encourage exploration while helping children build a stronger connection with nature from an early age. Sanna Kuosmanen, project manager at XAMK, said the initiative responds to a growing body of scientific research highlighting the health benefits of natural environments for young children. The goal is to increase awareness among families and make outdoor activities a normal part of daily life across Finland. The Raised by Nature project received nearly €100,000 in funding from Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund. It is believed to be the first nationwide resource of its kind to be distributed through Finland’s regional wellbeing services, ensuring that families throughout the country receive consistent guidance. The initiative reflects a broader Finnish philosophy that views nature not simply as a recreational space but as an essential component of health, education, and childhood development. Forests have long played a central role in Finnish life, and this new programme reinforces the country’s belief that some of the best opportunities for learning and wellbeing begin outdoors. As more countries search for ways to improve children’s physical and mental health, Finland‘s latest initiative offers another example of how Nordic societies continue to integrate nature into everyday life—not as a luxury, but as a foundation for growing up.
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