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Kristin Palen, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with over 19 years of experience solely in pediatrics. Kristin is the owner of Coastal Connections Pediatric Therapy, in the Outer Banks North Carolina. Her practice provides direct nature based occupational therapy services, early intervention services, virtual parent coaching, nature based resources and masterclasses coming soon.
Kristin is a proud mother of two preemies (30 weeks and 36 weeks); and she believes her experience as a preemie mom has shaped her into the OT that she has become giving her a unique perspective. Kristin’s children have been homeschooled from the start. They use a Waldorf homeschool approach and Kristin enjoys weaving Waldorf inspired philosophies into her OT practice. Kristin, her husband Aaron, and their two children reside just minutes from the Outer Banks, North Carolina. In their free time you will pretty much find them playing on the beach!!
Kristin’s Instagram @coastalconnectionsot
Kristin’s Website Coastal Connections
Coastal Connections Free Resources
All Things Sensory Podcast on YouTube
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
As parents and professionals who support children with sensory processing challenges, we’re always searching for strategies that truly make a difference. While indoor clinics and structured routines are valuable, one of the most powerful—and often underutilized—tools is the natural environment.
We explore how nature-based occupational therapy (OT) works and why outdoor sensory experiences can be transformative for children with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. Whether you're an OT looking for new treatment approaches or a parent eager to support your child more holistically, this guide will explain the benefits of bringing therapy outside.
Nature-based OT involves providing occupational therapy outdoors, using nature as the primary treatment setting and sensory tool. Kristen Palin, OT, a nature-based practitioner, explains:
“Nature is my therapy room, and trees, logs, and hills are my therapy tools.”
In a nature-based session, children may:
Balance on logs instead of beams.
Climb trees instead of ladders.
Jump into leaf piles instead of crash pads.
Swing from ropes tied to branches instead of ceiling-mounted swings.
This approach offers organic, whole-body sensory input while supporting self-regulation, coordination, and emotional development.
Nature supports regulation by meeting children where they are—without overwhelming their nervous systems. Here's why the outdoors can be so beneficial for children with sensory needs:
The outdoors naturally offers:
Soft lighting.
Pleasant background sounds (birds, wind, water).
Calming scents (pine, rain, grass).
Varied textures (bark, sand, mud, rocks).
This low-stimulation environment contrasts with the often loud, bright, or chaotic indoor settings that can dysregulate sensitive children.
Climbing over uneven terrain, walking on sand, or picking up pinecones challenges multiple systems at once:
Vestibular (balance and movement).
Proprioceptive (body awareness and joint feedback).
Tactile (touch).
Visual-motor integration.
Executive functioning and problem-solving.
Instead of relying on toys or tools, nature becomes the therapy.
Spending time in nature is scientifically proven to:
Decrease cortisol levels.
Improve focus in children with ADHD.
Reduce anxiety and depression.
Promote parasympathetic (calming) nervous system activity.
"By connecting more with nature, we connect more with ourselves." – Kristen Palin, OT
Here’s an example of a sensory-rich session for a 6-year-old with regulation and motor planning challenges:
Warm-up:Swinging from a tree rope for vestibular input.
Heavy work: Building a fort using sticks and rocks for proprioception.
Balance & coordination: Walking on logs and crawling under branches.
Mindfulness moment:Listening to birds or watching leaves flutter in the wind.
Fine motor: Creating art from acorns, leaves, or mud.
Sessions are play-based, flexible, and child-led, allowing therapists to follow the child’s intrinsic interests and motivation.
Mindfulness in a nature-based session isn’t about sitting still—it’s about noticing. Kristen uses techniques that help kids become aware of how their bodies and environments interact.
Examples include:
“How does the breeze feel on your cheeks?”
“Can you hear the difference between your footsteps on gravel vs. grass?”
“What do you feel in your tummy after rolling down the hill?”
These micro-moments of connection help children develop interoception (awareness of internal body signals) and improve emotional regulation.
Nature-based therapy is accessible to children of all abilities, including those with mobility challenges. Therapists can adapt outdoor sessions to include:
Navigating different terrains in wheelchairs or gait trainers.
Practicing transfers on benches or tree stumps.
Experiencing safe sensory input through wind, sun, or water.
With the right setup and mindset, every child can benefit from outdoor occupational therapy.
You don’t need to be a therapist—or even live near a forest—to bring nature into your child’s sensory routine.
Outdoor Sensory Activities For Home:
Texture Hunt:Touch bark, stones, water, and sand. Describe each one together.
Leaf Crash Pad: Rake leaves into a pile and lets your child jump for proprioceptive input.
Nature Obstacle Course:Crawl under branches, jump over logs, climb up dirt hills.
Mud Kitchen: Mix, pour, and scoop using sticks, water, and dirt.
Outdoor Swinging: Use aHarkla Sensory Swing on a porch or swing frame for calming vestibular input.
Encourage exploration, curiosity, and sensory play—without focusing too much on structure or outcomes.
If you’re a pediatric OT or COTA, consider how outdoor therapy could enhance your practice:
More opportunities for gross motor development and sensory input.
Easier generalization of functional skills.
Less reliance on toys or tools.
Increased client engagement through real-world play.
As Kristen shared on the podcast, even her documentation meets insurance requirements. She simply aligns nature activities with functional goals (like balance, self-regulation, fine motor control, or motor planning).
“We can meet all the same goals—just with rocks, trees, and dirt.”
Kristen’s final advice is the heart of nature-based therapy:“Keep it simple. Let the child guide you. Nature offers everything we need.”Sensory success doesn’t require expensive tools or fancy spaces.
Sometimes, all a child needs is a hill to climb, a puddle to splash in, and a grown-up who’s willing to play beside them.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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