Why Playing Outdoors Benefits Children

We’re passionate about the many physical and mental benefits of getting children outside. There’s something rather special about watching little ones swap screens and sofas for muddy puddles, woodland paths and wide-open spaces.

Give them a bit of fresh air and freedom to explore and, more often than not, they’ll be busy discovering, playing and learning without even realising it!

It turns out that all that outdoor fun is doing plenty of good too. Research has linked time spent outdoors and active play with a range of benefits for children, from supporting physical activity and healthy development to helping with mood, attention and wellbeing. Nature also gives children space to be curious, imaginative and independent, while the freedom of outdoor play can encourage them to take manageable risks and solve problems for themselves.

So, whether it’s sunny, drizzly, windy or glorious muddy outside, there’s plenty to be gained from embracing outdoor adventures. Pull on the wellies, wrap up warm and let them loose – because sometimes the simplest adventures can have the biggest benefits.

Here are some of the fascinating facts about why time outdoors is so important for children, and why we think there’s every reason to make outdoor play part of everyday family life.

1) Increasing movement

There’s something about stepping outside that makes little legs want to get moving! The great outdoors is full of opportunities to run, jump, climb, balance, crawl and explore, and you don’t need to plan a complicated activity to get children active. Even a simple family walk can get hearts pumping and little bodies moving. A woodland path becomes an obstacle course, a fallen tree turns into a balancing challenge and a puddle is an irresistible invitation to jump. Give children the freedom to explore their surroundings and they’ll often find plenty of ways to keep themselves busy without even realising they’re exercising.

Regular physical activity is important for children’s growing bodies, helping them develop strength, coordination, balance and confidence in how they move. Being active can also support children’s concentration and attention, making outdoor play a brilliant way to give busy minds a chance to reset. After some time running around outside, children may find it easier to settle down and focus when they return to quieter activities. So just open the door and let them explore! A walk, a game of chase, a trip to the park or an afternoon of puddle jumping can all add up to a wonderfully active day outdoors.

2) Building confidence

The great outdoors is full of opportunities for little explorers to make their own choices, try new things and discover what they’re capable of. This freedom gives children a wonderful sense of independence and control. They’re making their own decisions, testing out ideas and learning from what happens. Perhaps they’ll climb a little higher, cross a stream or attempt a tricky balancing challenge. With a little encouragement, they can discover that they’re capable of much more than they first thought.

And it doesn’t matter if things don’t go perfectly. Falling off the log, getting muddy or deciding that a particular challenge is a bit too tricky today are all part of the learning process. The important thing is that children have the freedom to try, adapt and have another go. So, step back where you can, give them a little space to explore and let their imaginations lead the way. You might be surprised by what your little adventurers can achieve when they’re given the confidence to choose, explore and discover for themselves.

3) Teaching responsibility

The great outdoors is a wonderful classroom, and there’s no better way for children to learn about responsibility than by getting stuck in and caring for the natural world around them. Give them a little patch of garden, a plant to look after or even a few seeds to grow, and suddenly they have something that depends on them. Letting children take responsibility for living things helps them understand that nature needs a little care and attention. They can water the plants, check for new shoots, collect fallen leaves or help look after flowers and vegetables. It might start with a very enthusiastic watering session – and quite possibly a rather soggy patch of soil – but they’ll soon begin to learn what their plants need to thrive.

Caring for nature can also help children develop empathy and respect for the environment. They begin to notice the insects, birds, flowers and plants sharing their outdoor space and understand that they’re all part of a much bigger ecosystem.

4) Creativity and imagination

There’s something rather magical about giving children the freedom to play outside with no set rules, instructions or finished product in mind. Nature becomes their playground, their props and their inspiration, giving little imaginations plenty of room to run wild. A stick can become a magic wand, a fallen tree can transform into a pirate ship and a collection of leaves might become ingredients for a very important woodland feast. When children are given the freedom to decide what something is and how they want to use it, they begin to see the world in wonderfully inventive ways.

So, next time you head outside, resist the temptation to organise every minute. Give your little explorers some space, let them take the lead and see where their imaginations take them. You might be surprised by the wonderful worlds they create when they’re given the freedom to simply explore.

5) Providing different stimulation

Step outside and suddenly there’s a whole world of things to see, hear, smell and touch. Nature is a brilliant sensory playground, offering children a huge variety of sights, sounds, textures and smells to discover – often without us having to organise a thing! This rich sensory stimulation encourages children to slow down, investigate and really notice their surroundings. Rather than simply walking from A to B, they can stop to explore a fascinating texture, listen carefully for a bird or wonder where that mysterious woodland smell is coming from!

And there’s no need to make it complicated. Let them touch the tree, splash in the puddle, smell the flowers and listen to the birds. Give curious little minds the freedom to explore with all their senses and there’s a whole world of learning waiting just outside the door.

6) Reducing stress and fatigue

We’ve all experienced those days when being cooped up indoors for too long leaves everyone feeling a little restless, grumpy and ready for a change of scenery. Children are no different! When little bodies and busy minds don’t have enough opportunities to move and explore, it can be harder for them to settle, concentrate and relax. Luckily, the great outdoors is right there waiting. Simply stepping outside for some fresh air and a change of surroundings can provide a welcome reset. Whether it’s a stroll around the park, a game in the garden or a muddy expedition through the woods, outdoor play gives children the chance to move their bodies, clear their minds and let off some steam.

Nature can also provide a wonderfully calming backdrop. Listening to birdsong, watching clouds drift across the sky or simply wandering along a woodland path can offer a welcome break from the busyness of everyday life. And, of course, all that running, jumping and exploring can help children use up some of their seemingly endless energy! After a good dose of outdoor play, they may feel more relaxed and ready to settle down with a quieter activity.

7) Making them think

There’s something wonderfully magical about nature. It’s full of mysteries, surprises and little discoveries, giving curious minds plenty to wonder about. Step outside with a child and you’ll soon find that even the most ordinary walk can turn into an endless stream of questions. Why do worms live underground? Where do the birds go when it rains? How does a tiny seed become a huge tree? What made that footprint in the mud? And where does a stream actually go? The natural world is full of fascinating things to investigate, and there’s always another question waiting around the corner.

This sense of curiosity can help children develop their understanding of the world around them while encouraging them to become confident little thinkers. They can observe what’s happening, ask questions and work out possible answers – often without even realising they’re learning.

8) Increasing Vitamin D exposure

There’s something about stepping outside on a bright day that can instantly lift the mood. Fresh air, natural light and a little outdoor adventure can work wonders for the whole family, and there’s some fascinating science behind it too. When our skin is exposed to sunlight, our bodies can produce vitamin D, an important nutrient that plays a role in keeping bones, muscles and the immune system healthy. Vitamin D is sometimes known as the “sunshine vitamin” because sunlight is one of our main natural sources.

Natural light also helps our bodies keep their sleep-wake rhythm in sync, while spending time outdoors can provide a welcome break from the busy routines of everyday life. There’s something rather lovely about swapping the four walls for a sunny park, woodland path or open field and simply letting children explore.

Grab the sun hats, pull on the shoes and make the most of the sunshine – adventure awaits!