Benefits of Outdoor Play

We believe very strongly in the importance of outdoor play for children, so we make every effort to get outside as long as temperatures permit. There are loads of benefits of outdoor play time for children, but we’ve outlined some of the main reasons we love it so much and put such an emphasis on getting kids outside.

It invites new contexts for learning

Outdoor spaces can be used to create intentional learning activities that are difficult to execute inside. There’s great value in looking at books about nature in the shade of a tree, pouring (and splashing!) water at an outdoor water table, building extra large structures in the sandbox or mud, collecting leaves, watching a parade of ants, and playing pretend on a playground structure. To make the most of our outdoor time, we think about creative, joyful, engaging activities that capitalize on children’s need to move and enthusiasm for doing so, while also achieving other curricular goals.

It creates opportunities for social interaction and collaboration

One-on-one interactions build a foundation for future teacher relationships that will occur when children enter school. One child’s interest and delight in another’s discovery reinforce their knowledge that they are important and their ideas matter. Outdoor play also provides a chance to practice social and emotional skills with other children, including problem solving, turn taking, encouragement, self-control, safe risk taking, and following the rules of a game. Outdoor play provides opportunities to develop empathy as well.

It promotes better sleep and may lead to better learning outcomes

A study of 2- to 5-year-olds showed that children who play outdoors sleep better at night. This may be due to the physical activity, stress reduction, and exposure to natural light that come with playing outdoors. A tired, happy child is one who sleeps well! Research also shows that older children are more attentive and productive in the classroom when recess—indoors or outdoors—is part of the school day. If older children need a brain break, it follows that younger ones do too.

It promotes physical health

The obesity rate for US children ages 2 to 5 is 14 percent, and it rises to over 40 percent for middle-aged adults, leading to an increased risk of health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Professionals recommend toddlers have at least 30 minutes of structured (adult-led) physical activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured (child-led) physical activity each day. Outdoor play is a great way to model the joy of physical activity. When children run, jump, climb, throw and kick balls, and ride toys that require balance, they also build gross motor skills and start developing a habit of being active.