It’s no secret—children love to play outside, come rain, wind or shine! However, with so many digital distractions like phones, tablets, and video games, getting kids involved in outdoor play can be more of a challenge these days.
Outdoor play is not just a fun, leisurely activity; it’s a vital aspect of a child’s development. From improving fine motor skills to boosting their creativity, outdoor play helps children grow into well-rounded individuals.
In this blog, we’ll explore what outdoor play is and why it is important in the early years of childhood. Plus, we’ll also share tips on how to encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors, along with a few fun activities that will keep them entertained for hours on end!
What is outdoor play?
Outdoor play refers to any activity that takes place outside, whether it’s structured, like an organised football match, or unstructured, where kids can use their imagination to create their own games or simply run, jump, climb and explore.
Unlike indoor play, outdoor environments offer rich, sensory experiences: the smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of birds singing and water flowing, and the feel of different textures like sand or rough tree bark. These encounters encourage children to directly connect with nature, offering invaluable learning opportunities about the world around them.
Fortunately, the UK has a variety of green spaces where children can play and experience heightened levels of sensory stimulation, including parks, forests, beaches, gardens, and countryside areas.
The importance of outdoor play in early years
The early years of a child’s life are crucial for their development, and outdoor play plays a vital role in this process.
Out of 2,000 surveyed by home construction company, Redrow, over half of parents stated that outdoor play is good for children’s mental health, physical health and social skills. During these formative years, children are constantly learning and growing, and these findings highlight the need for regular outdoor play, allowing them to explore, learn, and thrive.
Here are some of the key benefits of outdoor play in early years:
Physical benefits of outdoor play
1. Developing fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are the small, precise movements that allow children to perform everyday tasks, such as writing, drawing, and using utensils. Outdoor play requires kids to use their fingers and hands in ways that contribute to their dexterity and coordination. For example, stacking stones to build a small tower strengthens their grip and spatial awareness as they carefully plan each movement for better control and stability.
2. Improving muscle strength and endurance
Physical activities such as running, climbing, and jumping build muscle strength and improve endurance. When children engage in outdoor play, they exercise their large muscle groups (e.g. quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and core muscles), which not only makes them stronger but also improves their balance and coordination, laying the foundation for healthy physical development.
3. Boosting overall fitness
One of the most immediate benefits of outdoor play is its impact on a child’s cardiovascular health. Walking, cycling, or even playground games like tag improves heart health and stamina by increasing blood flow and oxygen circulation to muscles. In the UK, NHS guidelines recommend children aged 5 to 18 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Outdoor play is a great way to meet and even exceed this requirement.
Mental benefits of outdoor play
1. Reduces stress and anxiety
Nature provides a peaceful escape from social media and the pressures of modern life, offering a chance for children to unwind, relax, and reconnect with themselves. Furthermore, natural light can increase the production of Vitamin D, which has been linked to improved mood, better sleep, and overall mental health by reducing depressive symptoms.
2. Improves focus & concentration
Playing outside can also improve children’s focus and concentration. How? Well, exposure to nature has been shown to reduce mental fatigue, giving the brain a restorative break from information overload caused by constant screen time or busy schedules. This makes it easier for kids to stay focused for longer periods when they return to more structured tasks, such as schoolwork.
3. Sparks creativity
Without the limits or rules of structured activities such as lessons at school or assembling a model aircraft, children are free to invent their own games and let their imaginations run wild! For instance, they might create a make-believe world using leaves, rocks, and sticks, or build a fort out of branches and blankets, turning a simple outdoor space into a zone of adventure!
Emotional benefits of outdoor play
1. Builds confidence & resilience
From climbing trees to conquering an obstacle course, outdoor play teaches children to face their fears and overcome challenges head-on. Small victories like these can help build self-esteem and resilience in many areas of their lives. It also highlights the importance of controlled risk-taking, as children learn to assess situations and develop confidence in their abilities, all within a safe and supportive environment.
2. Enhances independence
Outdoor play gives kids the chance to explore on their own, without parents hovering over them. It’s a time for children to discover what they’re capable of and test their limits. Will they jump across a stream to see if they can make it to the other side? Or, will they go around and find a safer path? These choices help children evaluate risks and determine the best course of action independently.
3. Promotes emotional regulation
Spending time outdoors has a soothing effect on children, which helps them manage their emotions better. Nature’s calming influence can reduce irritability and frustration, while the freedom of outdoor play helps children express themselves in healthy ways, both verbally and physically.
Social benefits of outdoor play
1. Strengthens relationships
Playing outdoors encourages children to interact with their peers, siblings, and even parents. Over time, these interactions help deepen bonds and create more positive, lasting relationships. Whether it’s playing a game of cricket with friends or building a sandcastle with a sibling, outdoor play provides many opportunities for connection and shared experiences.
2. Teaches cooperation & empathy
Outdoor play also teaches important values, including teamwork, cooperation, and empathy. When children play together, they must work as a team, share resources, and learn to respect each other’s feelings or ideas. From this, they develop strong social skills that will benefit them in school, friendships, and future relationships.
3. Helps kids overcome social anxiety
For children who often struggle with social anxiety, outdoor play offers a safe, relaxed space for gradual exposure to social situations. Unlike more formal settings such as school or parties, there’s no strict agenda or expectations, so kids are free to interact at their own pace, which encourages more genuine connections. This gradual exposure can help reduce social anxiety over time.
How to encourage your kids to play outside
Now that we’ve explored the many benefits of outdoor play, let’s focus on how we can motivate kids to step outside and enjoy the fresh air!
With the right approach, it can become an exciting and enjoyable part of their daily routine. Check out our five tips for encouraging your children to play outside.
1. Set a good example
One of the best ways to encourage outdoor play for kids is to lead by example. When children see their parents participating in outdoor activities, they are more likely to follow suit. Show them the joy of a woodland walk, the fun of gardening, or the excitement of riding bikes together around your local area. Your enthusiasm will be contagious, making outdoor play an adventure they won’t want to miss!
2. Show, don’t tell
Instead of simply telling children to go outside, spark their curiosity by providing the tools and resources needed to explore and play. Offer sports equipment such as frisbees or balls for lively, energetic games, or creative materials like chalk to create colourful drawings on the pavement. You could also introduce nature-based items, like magnifying glasses or bug-catching kits to help them observe nature up close.
3. Encourage family time
Families often have busy schedules, but spending quality time together is crucial. Engaging in simple yet meaningful activities, such as going for a walk or having a picnic offers people a chance to slow down and bond in a way that everyday routines often don’t allow. In short, they create a relaxed environment where children feel supported and connected to their parents, which strengthens family relationships.
4. Limit screen time
Watching TV? Playing on their phones? Consider incorporating a break from digital devices during the day and prompt them to play in the garden or head out with friends. It’s easy for kids to stay inside and be entertained by their phones or online games at home, so scheduling time to get them away from these can be extremely beneficial for their overall health and wellbeing.
5. Ask friends and family to join
Organising playdates or group outings with other children can significantly increase the fun of being outside, bringing out their inner explorer. As mentioned earlier, social interaction is a key element of outdoor play, and inviting friends or family along can make these experiences even more enjoyable and memorable. Additionally, it also helps children develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
Outdoor play activities for kids
We’ve discussed how to encourage kids to embrace the outdoors, so let’s put those ideas into action! If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve got you covered. From hiking to arts and crafts, here are some fantastic outdoor play activities to make the most of your time outside with the kids.
- Go for a walk: Taking a family-friendly hike is perfect for young explorers. Whether it’s a walk through a national park or a woodland trail, hiking provides children with an opportunity to connect with nature while also getting some exercise.
- Build a fort: Building forts from sticks, leaves, and other natural materials sparks creativity and problem-solving. Encourage children to use their imagination to design their own forts and hideaways in the garden.
- Try outdoor arts and crafts: Children can create leaf rubbings, paint rocks, or make nature collages from leaves, flowers and other natural materials. These outdoor play activities allow children to combine their love for the outdoors with their artistic talents.
- Create a nature journal: A nature journal encourages children to observe and reflect on the world around them. Provide prompts such as “What birds did you see today?” or “Draw a picture of a tree you found in the park.”
- Play in the sand or rain: Whether it’s building sandcastles at the beach or splashing in puddles, these sensory activities provide endless fun and help children engage with the natural world in a playful way.
Book a kids’ adventure camp today!
Now you know the importance of outdoor play in early years, why not take a look at our outdoor adventure camps for 8 to 16 year olds?
At PGL, we have a range of adventure-filled camps over the school holidays, including multi-activity holidays, bushcraft, pony riding, watersports camps and more. These are designed to encourage children to step out of their comfort zones, develop new skills, meet new friends and build confidence while having fun in the great outdoors.
We have plenty of camps running throughout the school holidays. So, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help.
