5 Reasons to Get Outside and Play!

Playing outside is a fun and exciting activity for children, that also helps their learning and physical development. From walking your newborn in a pram, pushing your child on a swing, or playing basketball with them, playing outdoors gives children plenty to explore and learn from the ever changing environment.

Better sleep

Research from the World Health Organisation shows that children sleep better at night if they’ve had some fresh air and sunlight during the day. With their bodies mostly growing overnight, children also need quality, deep sleep each night. Active outdoor play is one way for children to get sunlight and physical activity while being sun smart, ensuring they sleep better at night. 

Health and wellbeing

Getting outdoors can help boost happiness and their overall mood. Active play outdoors gives children the opportunity to move their bodies while they develop gross motor skills when jumping, running and balancing.

Fun way to learn

The ever changing nature of the outdoors makes for an incredibly stimulating and multi-sensory place to play. Being outdoor and away from screens allows for children to explore all their senses and learn about their surroundings in a hands on way.

Improve social skills

Encouraging new ways of developing social skills by playing outside and befriending children they don’t know, children can naturally come out of their shells and be more social. They may be more likely to participate in group games and activities, as well as interacting with and talking to other children.

Creativity

Children use their imagination and develop their creativity when their making up games that aren’t restricted by the rules and confides of the home. Being away from the confinement of indoor play and away from technology, children use their surroundings and imagination to entertain themselves, while tapping into their creative abilities. This can also help develop skills such as problem solving and thinking outside of the box.