Outdoor play: A fundamental way to increase happiness and wellbeing for children
One afternoon, my children were a bit cranky and getting into small squabbles. I suggested we go to the park to throw rocks and climb. Within 5 minutes of being outdoors, this was going on:
“WOW” Did you see how far that rock went? asked one child.
“I did bro, I saw it!” said another child.
“So cool.” said another.
High fives and smiles followed.
I often take my children and friends to a local park for rock throwing, climbing, jumping, scaling and running. More than anything, they seem to do whole lot of laughing. When we come home from these long afternoons outside, all the children, despite being understandably tired, are incredibly engaged in conversation and cooperative with cooking dinner and setting the table.
Why does outdoor play boost their happiness and willingness to cooperate?
At the park my children get to do loads of exploring, risk taking and learning. They are free to direct their own play. They get to make decisions, choices and take charge.
Outdoor play is most often associated with physical health and development. It is also commonly referred to as active play because when children are outdoors they automatically seem to know it’s the right place to engage with nature with their whole body. Notice at any playground or park that children will happily and without prompting look for opportunities to climb, spin, lift, chase and run.
Playing outdoors is excellent physical activity, but really it is a fundamentally important aspect of growing well and happy. Moving in open, unrestricted spaces offers children the opportunity to explore their environment, activate motor skills, develop spatial and body awareness, practice flexibility and risk taking. Team work and cooperation can emerge very quickly in nature as well.
All these combined means that outdoor play is fantastic way to boost happiness, self-confidence and practice social – emotional skills. Children’s basic needs to belong, to learn, to create all get refueled when playing outdoors.
There are many studies that have examined the positive outcomes of children that spend time playing outdoors. Collectively, the studies show that children that engage in outdoor play tend to be calmer, have fewer learning difficulties, are engaged in their learning, feel happier, sleep better, and have increased social-emotional skills.
Donna Mathews, PhD summarizes the benefits of outdoor play wonderfully. She states “For both adults and kids, time spent outdoors increases all measures of well-being: psychological and physical health, cognitive abilities, and creativity.”
Making outdoor play part of your weekly if not daily activities is very important. Children can learn a great deal from interacting with one another, especially when in nature. The outdoors can also provide much needed space for bigger, louder, excited behaviors that are often not ok inside the house.
Beyond the regular benefits of outdoor play, being outside can also lead to more cooperation and a sense of well being.
If you find your child is having difficulties concentrating, seems irritable, having frequent squabbles with siblings, peers or generally not being cooperative, I highly recommend building in more outdoor play time. Additionally, finding a way to reconnect with your child outdoors can boost your relationship as well. Get out for a bike ride, find a pond to skip rocks, dig in sand, walk through quiet trails. Even if it is very cold or rainy, challenge each other to have a short, brisk five minute walk or race outdoors and follow up with a warm cup of cocoa or tea or a fun splash in a warm tub.
So what is your child’s favorite outdoor activity?
Peace & BeWell,