The Benefits of Outdoor Play in Early Years
Outdoor play is essential for early childhood development and provides numerous benefits for children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Here at Abbey Wood Grange Nursery, it’s something we ensure our children get to enjoy as part of their play and learning.
Here are some of the most important reasons why outdoor play is so beneficial, especially within the early years of a child’s development:
Physical Development
The physical benefits of outdoor play for children and one of the most obvious, and biggest for children. This includes things such as:
- Improves motor skills: Running, jumping, climbing, and balancing help develop coordination and strength.
- Enhances overall health: Exposure to fresh air and sunlight supports immune function and vitamin D production.
- Encourages active lifestyles: Builds healthy habits that reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues.
Cognitive Growth
While we offer a structured learning environment, children learn best by doing, and having the opportunity to get out of the classroom and play outdoors! Benefits of cognitive development for children include:
- Stimulates creativity and problem-solving: Nature offers unstructured play, encouraging children to think independently.
- Boosts concentration and focus: Outdoor play has been linked to improved attention spans, especially in children with ADHD.
- Encourages curiosity and exploration: Natural environments provide endless opportunities for learning about the world.
Social and Emotional Well-being
Children learn best by socialisation with others, and outdoor play is a fantastic opportunity for that. Team games, playing, and getting a chance to enjoy nature are all key to a child’s social and emotional well-being and development:
- Promotes teamwork and communication: Group activities teach cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
- Builds confidence and independence: Risk-taking in a safe outdoor setting helps develop resilience and self-esteem.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Nature has a calming effect, improving mood and emotional regulation.
Connection to Nature
And lastly, children enjoy running around, exploring climbing, digging and jumping. Children love to explore nature, and the great unknown can stimulate their imagination! Outdoor play can help encourage:
- Environmental awareness: Hands-on experiences with plants, animals, and weather foster appreciation for nature.
- Develops sensory skills: Outdoor environments engage all senses, enhancing sensory development.
How Can Parents Support and Encourage Outdoor Play?
Like adults, children learn best when they have the ability to express themselves freely and independently, without the restrictions of indoor classrooms, targeted activities and resources with a specific intent.
Nature and its ever-changing resources provide a wide range of opportunities where children can tailor their play and are in control of the outcome.
Outdoor learning doesn’t always need to be planned for, and it is not restricted by location or budget. A simple game of outdoor eye spy, a picnic, or the responsibility of posting a letter (with supervision of course) can change the mood of the day instantly!
Activity Ideas for Outdoor Play and Learning
Sky painting
With some paints and paper, you can create an engaging activity where children get to explore their artistic side, while taking a moment to stop and observe nature around them.
Shadow Drawing
Similar to sky painting, shadow drawing allows children to explore their artistic side and observe a part of their surroundings which are typically ignored.
Leaf Craft
All you need is some glue, cardboard or paper, and paints and nature can be your canvas. While the aim is to create whatever the child desires, for the children in our nursery, the majority of the fun comes from exploring and finding the perfect materials for their leaf craft.
Chalk Art
Just with chalk and a hard surface, your child or children can create art to their heart's contents, that can all easily be washed away after they are finished!
Wildlife Watch
An important part of outdoor play for children in early years is noticing the nature around them, and understanding the natural world and its importance! This can even involve creating crafts like binoculars made from old toilet rolls, and bird feeders from pinecones (picture to the side).
Obstacle Courses
A little bit of structured fun is a great way for children to burn off energy, and you can even get them involved in creating the obstacle course! This allows them to use their imagination on what kind of obstacle course they want to create.
Other Ways to Enjoy Outdoor Play For Your Children
Children’s interests are ever-changing as they grow and develop, there is no need to buy expensive equipment especially when there is so much learning to be had in creating the activity yourself.
Local parks (find yours here on gov.uk) and National Trusts provide events such as forest school or talks from a park ranger, these events bring families together in nature and can be great ways to make friends.
Geocaching is a global outdoor activity where you use GPS or an app to find hidden containers. It is free to use and you will be surprised just how many are on your doorstep.
The Importance of Nurseries and Pre-Schools For Outdoor Play
The nursery or preschool you choose has a huge impact on your child’s development. And finding a nursery with a great outdoor space can give your children a fun way of looking forward to learning every day.
This is especially important for families who don’t have a garden or easy access to a park or nature and makes the nursery even more enjoyable. That’s why we ensure we provide the children in our nursery with multiple opportunities for outdoor play every day.
Our Nursery Offers a Safe, Fun Space to Learn Outdoors!
At Abbey Wood Grange, we believe that outdoor play is essential for children’s early development, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our outdoor spaces provide endless opportunities for little adventurers to explore, learn, and grow! Including This includes:
- Nature Exploration – Engage with the natural world, fostering curiosity and a love for the environment.
- Messy Play – Sensory activities like mud kitchens and water play spark imagination and creativity.
- Physical Adventures – Climbing, running, and balancing activities build strength, coordination, and resilience.
- Social Play – Group games and teamwork help develop communication and cooperation skills.
Outdoor play nurtures happy, healthy, and independent learners. Book a visit today and let your little one’s adventure begin!
