24 April 2025
6 min.
Turning sticks into swords, swinging from trees, digging in the dirt for hidden treasures - the joy of outdoor adventures is a universal part of growing up. However, the benefits of outdoor play in early years extend far beyond the fun of it!
Beyond the thrills, children’s outdoor play helps build healthy hearts, curious minds and the confidence a child needs to take on the world. From a simple picnic to organised sports events, everyday adventures in green spaces do much more than burn off energy.
Come along as we explore how playing outdoors benefits your child's physical and mental health and why the natural environment is the perfect playground.
We all know the early years are crucial for a child’s physical and mental growth. In this time, children learn best by doing – by getting their hands dirty and picking themselves up after trips and slips.
For these lessons, there’s no better classroom than the world outside. Outdoor activities like climbing, digging and running all support gross motor development, emotional regulation and even problem-solving. Everything a child needs in their early years.
Yet, research shows that children are engaging less and less in outdoor play. In the UK, children now spend an average of 6 hours a day in front of screens, while only 27% of children regularly play outside. This is a huge shift in the experience of childhood. That’s why we parents need to be proactive when encouraging children to go outside and play.
Let’s start with the obvious: the health benefits of outdoor play.
Outdoor play is one of the most natural and enjoyable ways for children to stay physically active. Whether running around with friends, swinging from monkey bars or playing sports, children get to use their bodies freely and explore new kinds of movement. It also lays the groundwork for lifelong healthy habits.
The best thing is that you don’t need to plan outdoor activities to see the benefits. Just being outside offers children the chance to move more and sit less, all while soaking up vitamin D and engaging with their surroundings.
Key Health Benefits of Outdoor Play:
Your child will enjoy an immediate improved mood from the sunshine vitamin, but outdoor play sneaks some other goodies into your child’s development too. The cognitive benefits of outdoor play are as vast and varied as the natural environment children explore – and it all comes down to unstructured play.
When children are playing outside, they often make it up as they go. They invent games, create stories and solve complex equations as they build their forts. All this lets them flex their mental muscles and figure out how the world works
Key Cognitive Benefits of Outdoor Play:
The fun doesn’t stop there, either! The unique social dynamics of outdoor spaces mean there are emotional benefits of outdoor play as well. More structured children’s outdoor play, like sports or tea parties, is great for strengthening social-emotional skills that children carry throughout life – and certainly help academic readiness.
Think of the school playground, where children navigate social hierarchies through fun, games and imagination. These interactions are how children develop their empathy and communication skills, laying the groundwork for healthy future relationships. That’s why an outdoor environment is a fantastic setting to strengthen sibling bonds and make new friends.
Key Emotional Benefits of Outdoor Play:
Given the many benefits of outdoor play in early years, it’s so important that we parents take an active role in encouraging time outside. With busy schedules and changing seasons, spending time outdoors can easily get pushed aside – but a little intention goes a long way.
Still unsure about how to keep kids entertained over summer? Here are a few fresh and fun ideas for children’s outdoor play to inspire your next adventure:
1. Bug Explorer Day
Grab a magnifying glass and go on a backyard or park bug hunt! From ladybirds to beetles, encourage children to observe tiny critters up close. It’s a gentle introduction to biology and a great way to spark curiosity about the natural world.
For an even closer look, the Explorers Bug Jar is a brilliant tool that lets mini entomologists observe insects safely. With a magnifying lid and LED light, children can get up close with critters.
2. Nature Exploration Mission
Take your child on a nature walk through your local park, woods or even around the neighbourhood. Get them to spot interesting plants or different sounds in the environment and try to embrace the sense of adventure.
To make your child feel like a true adventurer, try the Nature Explorer’s Set. It includes a compass, periscope and nature tools that encourage your child’s curiosity about the world around them.
3. Garden Play for Little Green Thumbs
Gardening with your child is a lovely way to slow down and connect. Start by choosing some easy seeds, like sunflowers or lettuce, and show them how to plant and care for them. Each day brings a chance to check in, notice changes and celebrate nature.
To make it even easier and more exciting, you could try the Growing Gardeners Greenhouse. It’s a simple, child-friendly setup that gives children a front-row seat to the growing process.
So, now you know there are many unseen benefits of outdoor play in early years that contribute to the healthy development of our children. Encouraging children to immerse themselves in nature’s playground not only enriches their childhood but also sets a strong foundation for a happy life.
For even more toys to help make your child’s outdoor time fun and freeing, check out our Nature Fun range. It’s packed with toys to help nurture their sense of exploration, curiosity and adventure. Otherwise, we have plenty of other Outdoor Toys too!
