Children's play in the natural environment is an important aspect of education for sustainable development because it fosters ecological awareness and the preservation of nature. Through outdoor activities, children improve their physical and mental health while also developing social skills. Learning in nature helps them understand ecosystems and recognize different plant and animal species. Activities such as planting trees and recycling teach children responsible behavior towards the environment. This work aims to address whether the natural environment positively impacts child development. The aim of the research was to determine educators' attitudes toward children's outdoor play in the kindergarten environment and the amount of time children spend outside. For the purposes of the research, a survey questionnaire was created, which included a modified Beyer scale (2015). The research was conducted on a sample of N=52 educators in the following kindergartens: "Zlatna ribica" in Kostrena, "Varaždin," "Didi," "Luna," "More," "Vladimir Nazor," "Vrapčić Šenkovec," and DV Rijeka – CPO Maestral - PPO "Drenova" and PPO "Rastočine." According to the results, children go outside the kindergarten environment depending on the weather, while they spend 1 to 2 hours daily in the kindergarten environment. The research results confirm the educators' assessment that children enjoy being in the environment, that the natural environment significantly encourages children's exploration and creativity, and that it positively impacts their physical and mental health. The results of this research are important because they confirm that the natural environment significantly contributes to children's development, especially in terms of their creativity and health. These findings can serve as a basis for further research and the development of educational programs that will further integrate outdoor play into daily work with children.