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Why Outdoor Play is Important for Children

dee079

Updated: Dec 5, 2024

Child outside in puddle with colourful umbrella

There’s a reason kids instinctively gravitate towards the outdoors—it’s where they thrive. From building physical strength to sparking creativity and fostering social skills, outdoor play has countless benefits. But did you know that in the UK, children now spend just an average of four hours per week outdoors? That’s half as much time as their parents did at the same age.


Let’s dive into why outdoor play isn’t just a nice-to-have but a must for raising happy, healthy kids.

 

 

Physical Health Benefits for Outdoor Play


Outdoor play is one of the most effective ways for kids to stay active, something that’s increasingly critical as one in 10 children in the UK starts primary school obese. Running, climbing, and jumping provide a fun and natural way to promote overall fitness and build strong bodies.


Key Benefits:

  • Stronger Bones and Muscles: Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which strengthens bones. Yet, research shows that 20% of children in the UK are vitamin D deficient, making outdoor play even more essential.

  • Fitness Through Fun: Tag, cycling, or a good old-fashioned game of football helps improve cardiovascular health and energy levels.

  • Improved Coordination and Balance: Nature provides uneven surfaces, rocks to climb, and logs to balance on, which help develop motor skills.


Parent Tip: Set up mini obstacle courses or scavenger hunts that encourage kids to move, all while having loads of fun.


two children on bikes outdoors

 

Mental Health and Well-Being


It’s no secret that time outdoors has a calming effect. With the pressures of school and screens dominating daily life, nature can serve as a much-needed reset. In fact, a study by Natural England found that 88% of children feel happier after playing in green spaces, while regular exposure to nature has been linked to reduced anxiety and better focus.


Simple Outdoor Activities for Calm Minds:

  • Cloud Spotting: Lie on the grass together and look for shapes in the clouds. Ask kids what shapes or animals they can see.

  • Sensory Play: Encourage kids to touch rough tree bark, feel soft grass, or listen to birdsong.

  • A brisk walk in a park can feel like therapy—without the price tag.



three children laying on a hill looking at the sky

 

Boosts Creativity and Imagination


Step outside, and the world transforms. That stick? A pirate’s sword. A pile of stones? A fortress or A muddy puddle? A pirate’s lagoon. Outdoor environments naturally fuel creativity and gives kids the freedom to dream big.


In the UK, teachers report that 94% of children display enhanced imaginative thinking after unstructured play outdoors.


Try This:

  • Build a den using sticks, leaves, and string.

  • Set up an "outdoor kitchen" with mud pies, leaf soups, and flower cakes.


These moments of make-believe are about more than fun—they teach problem-solving, adaptability, and storytelling skills.



Two children making a mud pie

 

Encourages Social Skills


Team games and group activities in the great outdoors are perfect for teaching kids essential social skills like cooperation, patience, and conflict resolution.


Activity Ideas:

  • Nature Art: Gather a group of children to create an artwork from natural items.

  • Team Games: Tug-of-War, Relay races or playing hide-and-seek are great ways to practise teamwork.


Outdoor Play Fosters:

  • Empathy: Sharing and considering others’ feelings.

  • Teamwork: Planning games or solving scavenger hunt clues together.

  • Confidence: The joy of leading a group or mastering a skill.


Fun Fact: 98% of UK teachers say outdoor play enhances teamwork and interpersonal skills.


children playing Tug-of-War

 

Builds Environmental Awareness


The more time children spend outdoors, the more they connect with the natural world. This connection isn’t just heartwarming; it’s crucial for raising environmentally conscious adults. Studies show that children who engage with nature regularly are more likely to adopt eco-friendly habits later in life.


Seasonal Fun Ideas:

  • Spring: Spot budding flowers and pollinators at work.

  • Autumn: Collect leaves and talk about how trees prepare for winter.

  • Winter: Look for animal tracks in frost or snow.


This hands-on exposure builds curiosity and respect for the natural world.


Animal footprints in the snow

 

Promotes Independence and Risk-Taking


Climbing trees, jumping off rocks, or balancing on logs might make parents nervous, but these small risks are invaluable. Outdoor play gives children the freedom to test their limits safely, building resilience and self-confidence.


In the UK, children who engage in risky play outdoors show higher levels of problem-solving skills and independence, according to the University of Bristol.


Parental Tip:

While it’s natural to want to keep kids safe, letting them test their limits (within reason) teaches valuable problem-solving skills. Stand back and observe rather than jumping in at every wobble—it’s all part of the learning process.


Two children climbing a tree

 

Reduces Screen Fatigue


Let’s be honest: we all spend too much time on screens. For kids, this often leads to overstimulation, poor posture, and even eye strain. Outdoor play is important and is the antidote. Studies reveal that children who spend at least an hour outdoors daily sleep better, focus longer, and are physically healthier than those glued to screens.


Easy Wins:

  • Replace a post-dinner TV show with a twilight walk.

  • Make “screen-free Saturdays” a family tradition.


Two children indoors playing a board game

 

Unstructured Play Time: Let Them Lead

One of the best things about outdoor play is its lack of structure, Unlike scheduled activities, nature allows children to lead their own adventures.

Kids don’t need elaborate plans or expensive equipment to enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones they create themselves.

This freedom is essential for mental and emotional development. Unstructured play helps children become resourceful, resilient, and independent thinkers.


Example Activities:

  • Let kids decide how to spend time in the park—whether it’s building a sandcastle or chasing butterflies.

  • Encourage them to observe wildlife and create their own stories about what they see.

  • Encourage them to invent games with found objects like sticks, stones, or leaves.

  • Give them a magnifying glass to explore the garden.


Two children in the distance in long grasses outdoors

 

Conclusion for Why is Outdoor Play important


Outdoor play isn’t just a childhood pastime; it’s a foundation for a healthy, happy life. Whether it’s improving physical fitness, sparking creativity, or nurturing social bonds, the benefits are endless. And with so many children in the UK spending less time outdoors than prisoners (yes, really!), it’s never been more important to prioritise outdoor adventures.


So, grab a pair of wellies and let your child’s adventure begin!



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