Outdoor play for young children is not just about having fun, it’s key to how children grow and develop. The NHS states that toddlers (aged 1-2) and pre-schoolers (aged 3-4) should spend at least 180 minutes a day engaging in physical activities like outdoor play.
As a parent, you’ll already know the joy and laughter that comes with watching your little one run around outside, but did you know that outdoor play has numerous benefits for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being?
In this blog, we’ll explore the many benefits of outdoor play for young children. From cognitive benefits to physical benefits, the great outdoors offers a multitude of advantages for your child.
Health benefits of outdoor play for children
Outdoor play is very important in helping children grow up strong and healthy. When kids play outside, they’re usually much more active which can lead to many health benefits. As well as this, children who spend time outdoors at a young age are far more likely to enjoy being active, helping them to stay healthy as they get older.
Some key health benefits of outdoor play for children include:
- Improved mental well-being – when children play outside, it can really help keep their emotions in check as it provides them a calm space that can help reduce anxiety. They’re able to relax and clear their minds which improves their mental health over all.
- Stress reduction – the fresh air and the sounds of nature can help your child reduce stress, as outdoor physical activities provide them with useful and alternative ways of managing their stress levels.
- Boosted immune system – children will meet many germs when playing outdoors which is actually good for them, as it makes their immune system stronger, meaning they’ll be better equipped at fighting off common illnesses.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases – outdoor play can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. This is because physical activity, like outdoor play, makes their heart and body stronger, which leads to better fitness levels.
Emotional benefits of outdoor play
Along with the health benefits, there are also numerous emotional benefits of outdoor play for children. Playing outside contributes towards your child’s emotional development allowing them to explore and process a number of different feelings in certain situations. These kinds of experiences allow your child to build confidence and skills, setting the stage for positive social interactions in adult life.
Some emotional benefits of outdoor play for children include:
- Builds emotional intelligence – when children play outside freely, they take risks, solve problems, and learn to manage their feelings which helps develop their emotional intelligence.
- Boosts emotional resilience – as children develop their emotional intelligence, this also boosts their emotional resilience. Through outdoor play, they learn to manage and cope with their own feelings as well as become more aware and empathetic of other people’s feelings too.
- Cultivates social skills – by playing outdoors with others, children are able to build important social skills and learn how to deal with different social situations. Whether they play games or act out fun stories, kids learn to talk to each other, work together, and solve problems.
Cognitive benefits of outdoor play
Outdoor play supports your little one’s brain development, helping them to think better, be creative, solve problems, and enjoy learning. As they interact with the natural world, they learn about their senses and understand their surroundings, which encourages them to use their brains in different ways.
Some cognitive benefits of outdoor play for children include:
- Encourages creativity – there’s no denying that the great outdoors spark a child’s imagination and boosts their creative thinking. They have a space for fun and creativity, enabling them to come up with their own games, build forts and dens, and create their own adventures.
- Enhances problem-solving skills – as children play outdoors, they’ll no doubt encounter challenges along the way which makes them think critically. Fun experiences like building obstacle courses or playing pretend, builds on their ability to adapt and be resourceful.
- Supports learning – playing outdoors puts kids in environments that provide unique opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery, making learning engaging and memorable.
- Boosts academic performance – learning through outdoor play actually extends into the classroom as children often tend to have an increased attention span, better critical thinking skills, and more motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
Physical benefits of outdoor play
Probably one of the most notable benefits of outdoor play is the physical aspects. Running, jumping, and climbing are all activities that help children improve their coordination, balance, and overall motor skills. Through fun outdoor activities like these, kids are able to create a strong base for a lifetime of physical activity and healthy habits.
Some physical benefits of outdoor play for children include:
- Stronger muscles and bones – the outdoor physical activities mentioned above work many muscle groups, which helps to make your little ones muscles and bones grow stronger, ultimately building strength and endurance.
- Improved coordination and balance – engaging in activities such as riding bikes, playing tag, and walking on uneven ground help a child become physically skilled, which ultimately helps them to improve their motor skills and enhances their coordination and balance.
- Increased physical activity levels – unlike a planned workout, outdoor play often feels like fun for children, and they get caught up in playing games, exploring, and hanging out with friends. This naturally boosts their physical activity levels and lets them associate fun with physical activity too, making it more likely to stay active as they grow.
Learn how we encourage outdoor play
It’s clear to see through these benefits of outdoor play that playing outdoors isn’t just about having fun, it’s about improving the overall growth of your little one. By encouraging children to explore the great outdoors, they’ll take advantage of the numerous benefits outdoor play brings including health benefits, emotional benefits, cognitive benefits, and physical benefits.
Here at Stepping Stones, we believe outdoor play has a crucial impact on your child’s development. That’s why our day nursery has four, well-presented, separate, secure, and enclosed outdoor play areas that have been designed with children’s needs in mind. Our outdoor environments offer your child the freedom to explore, use their senses, and allows them to be physically active.
Why not book a visit with us today and come and see our outdoor areas for yourself? Alternatively, if you have any questions about our day nursery, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Outdoor play FAQs
What activities count as outdoor play?
Outdoor activities can include many things that let children interact with the natural world. This can be anything from playing games in the park, to building forts and dens. When kids play outside, they can enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play whilst having fun.
How can parents encourage outdoor play effectively?
Simply getting involved can really help kids spend more time outside. When parents enjoy the great outdoors and show that it is fun, kids are likely to join in. Limiting screen time can also encourage children to play outside as well as giving them different fun choices for outdoor play.
What should children wear for outdoor play?
This will depend on the weather, but children should wear weather-appropriate clothing. For example, in colder weather, layers, hats, and gloves are ideal. During summer, lightweight clothing, sun hats, and sun cream help protect them from UV rays. You should also make sure they wear comfortable, sturdy footwear for safety.