2026 Minnesota Statutes

142I.171 NATURAL ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS.

Subdivision 1.Natural elements and materials.

A license holder may provide children with access to natural elements and materials as equipment and play materials. Natural elements and materials and appropriate uses of natural elements and materials include, but are not limited to:

(1) natural loose parts, such as sticks, leaves, pine cones, acorns, seeds, pods, bark, and moss for construction, art, sensory exploration, and imaginative play;

(2) natural materials, such as dirt, mud, sand, water, ice, and snow for sensory play and exploration;

(3) plants, flowers, seeds, vegetables, and gardening materials for science exploration and learning;

(4) rocks, pebbles, stones, and minerals for counting, sorting, building, and art;

(5) natural areas such as gardens, prairie, forest, wetlands, and ponds for exploration and learning; and

(6) other natural elements as appropriate to age and development of children.

Subd. 2.Supervision.

A caregiver must supervise a child's use of natural elements and materials and provide guidance on safe and appropriate use. Natural elements and materials that are a choking hazard must not be accessible to children under the age of three without direct supervision of a caregiver.

Subd. 3.Other uses.

Natural elements and materials may qualify as equipment and materials under section 142I.17, subdivisions 4, 6, 8, and 9.

History:

2026 c 127 art 13 s 18

NOTE: This chapter, as added by Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 13, sections 1 to 23, is effective July 1, 2027. Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 13, section 26.