Outdoor play ideas and benefits
Having done a few “surveys” of five year olds about preferences regarding outdoor and indoor play, the results were always pleasing with outdoors being the most preferred play area every time. There is a lot being done about encouraging children to spend more time playing outdoors which is understandable given the many benefits of doing this.
Ever opened the door after a rainy morning to let the kids out for a run? The dash of feet and high pitched screams say it all! It’s exciting being outdoors! Let’s think about this from a kid’s perspective. Outdoor play is enjoyable because it feels less restricting. While some outdoor areas may have walls enclosing the space, the sky does not and that creates the feeling of being less restricted. Outdoor areas that don’t have walls are even better. A feeling of not being confined kind of generates that wonderful sense of freedom that makes kids very excited.
Outdoor play benefits include having larger spaces to use big movements such as running and jumping which is great for muscle strength, coordination and spatial awareness. There are also opportunities to explore nature up close and to grow an appreciation of the natural environment. It is healthy to be outdoors and kids can go for it when it comes to messy play. Kids usually are louder and more active outdoors. It’s just wonderful to watch the joy on kids’ faces when they are out there having fun.
Indoor play is also very important for kids to experience. There are opportunities to play differently. This might be focusing on building with connecting equipment or blocks, dressing up, taking on different roles, creating things that will be used in play or setting up different play scenarios such as a hospital. Some play is better indoors for obvious reasons. For example, messy play such as playdough becomes hard in the fresh air and warmth outdoors. Equipment with small pieces is easier to find indoors at tidy up time. Indoor play has wonderful opportunities to play but sometimes the weather restricts play outdoors, and that means outdoor play is limited.
Both outdoor play and indoor play are important for kids' learning and development but here is an observation that we have made as teachers. There are some activities and play areas that seem to be done only indoors and there are others that seem to be done only outdoors. Here comes a challenge that we urge you to take. Consider this. What if some outdoor play could be done indoors and some indoor play could be done outdoors? If you want a new way to stimulate play, then read on!
Let’s start with the idea of bringing some outdoor play indoors. Here are some examples you might want to try:
Build an indoor obstacle course. You will use different equipment for the set up but a table works as a tunnel and jumping onto cushions layed out in a row is great for very active kids. Get the kids to help set up the course. They might have some very clever ideas to make it more exciting.
Sand and water play can be indoors successfully. If you don’t like mess then set it up in an area that is easy to clean. You can also use something underneath to protect the floor. Sand and water do not have to be in big containers or troughs. Try some small containers and equipment like spoons, droppers and small vehicles.
Throw paper aeroplanes through a hoop that is hung up high or use a large box and cut holes for the planes to go through.
Build an indoor fort and think about leaving it up for the night. Imagine enjoying some play in the dark! If you are brave enough, take it to another level and have a sleepover in the fort.
Bring plants indoors and set up a mini garden in a container. Add animals or dinosaurs for a variety of play.
Have a collection of sticks, bark, small branches, wood biscuits, shells and stones to use for loose parts nature play. Add leaves and petals if it’s possible to collect some.
Now for the other way round! Taking indoor play to the outdoors. Here are some examples for you to try:
Add a table and chairs under some shade and put out the usual tea party toys. Add a jug of water and bowls of leaves, sticks and petals for mixture making. Serve the mixtures to the guests.
Take arts and crafts outdoors if possible. Windy days make this tricky but lovely still days are great for this. Paint pictures using leaves instead of paintbrushes or use mud mixtures instead of paint.
Dress ups are great for role playing outdoors. If you are worried about this, give the kids gentle reminders to take care of the clothes. It’s great to see the princess gallop away on her stick horse or watch a pirate in a big box boat sailing across the grass to a far away land.
Set up a family corner under the trees. The kids can decide if they want to make it more like a house and if they do then they can think of a way to make this work.
Take music outdoors. Dance with some scarves or play along to the music using instruments. Make some if you don’t have enough. Let your kids rock the neighbourhood!
Whatever the weather, you can add joy and excitement to your kids’ day by trying some of these examples. Add a twist to every day play that might inspire your kids to think of ideas that change up next play time. Make the most of play time indoors AND outdoors!
For more examples of outdoor play, watch the short video below from our YouTube channel.
To encourage outdoor play, we have created an outdoor play tracker for kids. Each day they can colour in a leaf if they have spent time playing outside. The goal is to have the whole tree coloured in at the end of the month. Click the button to download your copy of the play tracker.
