I never thought I’d be the type of parent googling “biophilic design” at 2am while my son had another sleepless night, but here we are. Turns out there’s actually a term for people like me who’ve become slightly obsessed with bringing nature into our kids’ lives – we’re called biophiles. And honestly? Learning about this has explained so much about why certain changes in our home have made such a huge difference for my family.
So what exactly is a biophile? I spent way too many late-night hours reading about this after noticing how much calmer my kids were in certain spaces. Basically, it’s someone who doesn’t just like nature – they feel genuinely connected to it and actively try to incorporate that connection into daily life. We’re talking about people who get energy from natural environments, who feel more balanced when they’re around plants and natural light, who instinctively create spaces that bring the outdoors in.
Before kids, I thought people who talked about “connecting with nature” were a little too crunchy for me. But watching my daughter settle down near our one good window, or seeing how my ADHD son focuses better after time in the backyard, made me realize there might be something to this whole nature connection thing.
Have you ever noticed how your kids behave differently in different spaces? My daughter used to have these epic meltdowns, but I started tracking when they happened and realized she was consistently worse in our windowless basement playroom versus upstairs where we had natural light. That’s when I fell down the rabbit hole of reading about biophilic principles and how our environment affects our wellbeing.
Turns out biophiles come in all varieties. There are the urban planners pushing for more green spaces in cities, the teachers incorporating outdoor learning into their curriculum, and parents like me trying to create healthier home environments for our families. What we all share is this understanding that humans and nature aren’t separate – we’re part of the same system, and we function better when we acknowledge that connection.
I’ve met other parents through school who’ve made similar discoveries. One mom told me about replacing the fluorescent lights in her son’s homework area with full-spectrum bulbs and adding some plants – suddenly homework battles decreased significantly. Another dad talked about how creating a small garden bed where his anxious daughter could dig in the dirt became their go-to strategy for big emotions.
The thing about being a biophile isn’t just appreciating a pretty sunset or liking houseplants (though I definitely have too many of those now). It’s about recognizing that our mental and physical health are tied to our relationship with natural environments. When I watch my kids in our backyard – really watch them – I can see them engaging with nature on this deeper level. They’re not just playing; they’re participating in something that feels almost instinctual.
My son will spend twenty minutes examining how water moves through the dirt after we water the garden. My daughter built this elaborate fairy house ecosystem under our oak tree that she tends to like it’s a real community. These aren’t activities I suggested or structured for them – they naturally gravitated toward these connections once we gave them the space and opportunity.
What really drives this for me as a parent is seeing how this connection affects their daily lives. Better sleep when we prioritized natural light in their bedrooms. Improved focus when we created homework spaces with plants and views outside. Less anxiety during transitions when we build in outdoor time as part of our routines.
I’m not claiming to be some nature expert – I work in supply chain management and learned most of this from YouTube videos and parenting blogs. But I’ve become pretty good at spotting the signs that my kids (and honestly, I) function better when we’re connected to natural environments.
Being a biophile in modern suburban life definitely has its challenges. Our kids’ school is typical – lots of interior classrooms with no windows, artificial lighting everywhere, minimal outdoor time beyond a concrete playground. I’ve joined the PTA partly to advocate for some environmental improvements, though change is slow when you’re dealing with school budgets and institutional resistance.
Then there’s the technology piece. My kids are growing up with screens everywhere, and I’m constantly trying to balance that with outdoor time and natural experiences. Some days I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle against a culture that keeps us indoors and disconnected from natural rhythms.
But here’s what I’ve learned works: small, consistent changes that acknowledge our family’s biophilic needs. We replaced heavy curtains with ones that let in more natural light. Added plants throughout the house (started with easy ones like pothos after killing several more challenging varieties). Created distinct outdoor spaces for different activities – a quiet reading spot, an active play area, a garden section where they can dig and get dirty.
The biggest game-changer was approaching our backyard as outdoor living space rather than just lawn to maintain. We gradually converted sections to native plant gardens, built a simple mud kitchen from scrap lumber, added a small water feature that attracts birds. My neighbors definitely thought I was going overboard, but my kids spend hours out there now, and they come inside calmer and more focused.
What’s interesting is how this biophilic approach has affected our entire family dynamic. We make different choices now – hiking trails instead of indoor entertainment, farmers markets instead of grocery stores when possible, camping trips instead of hotel vacations. These aren’t sacrifices; they’re choices that align with what we’ve learned makes us all feel more balanced and connected.
My kids are developing into little biophiles themselves, though they don’t know that term. They gravitate toward natural materials when they’re building or creating. They prefer outdoor play to indoor activities when given the choice. They notice changes in our garden and get excited about new growth or wildlife visitors. They instinctively use outdoor time to regulate their emotions and energy levels.
I’ve connected with other parents online who are trying similar approaches. We share budget-friendly ideas for bringing nature indoors, troubleshoot challenges (how do you keep plants alive with curious toddlers?), and celebrate successes (homework battles ending after creating a nature-connected study space).
The research backing up what we’re experiencing is pretty compelling. Studies show that exposure to natural environments reduces stress, improves attention, boosts mood, and supports better sleep – all things every parent wants for their kids. Understanding the biophile perspective has given me a framework for making intentional choices about our home environment instead of just hoping things work out.
Looking back, I realize I was probably always somewhat of a biophile – I just didn’t have the vocabulary for it or understand how to apply it to family life. Those moments of peace I found carrying my colicky daughter to the window weren’t coincidental. The way my stress levels drop when I’m working in the garden isn’t just imagination. The fact that both my kids sleep better and focus more when they’ve had outdoor time isn’t just good luck.
Embracing our family’s biophilic tendencies has been one of the most practical and impactful approaches I’ve taken as a parent. It’s not about becoming granola parents or abandoning modern conveniences – it’s about creating home environments that work with human biology instead of against it.
Whether you’re already noticing these patterns in your family or just starting to consider how environment affects your kids’ wellbeing, I’d encourage you to pay attention to when and where your children are most calm, focused, and happy. You might discover some biophilic tendencies of your own and find some surprisingly simple ways to support your family’s connection to nature, even in the middle of busy modern life.
Currently working on creating better nature connections in my daughter’s room as she heads into middle school – more natural light, plants that can handle teenage neglect, and a view of our backyard garden from her desk. We’ll see how it goes, but based on what we’ve learned so far, I’m optimistic it’ll make a difference in how she handles the increased academic pressures ahead.
David is a dad of two who started caring about design after realizing how much their home environment affected his kids’ moods and sleep. He writes about family-friendly, budget-friendly ways to bring natural light, plants, and outdoor play back into everyday life.
