Blog
The Benefits of Outdoor Play!
Many of us cherish childhood memories of adventuring outdoors – I know I do! Running freely, climbing trees, building dens, making mud pies, and inventing imaginative games that kept us entertained for hours – all these activities contribute to a happy and healthy childhood.
The chance to connect with nature, experience life and growth firsthand, explore endless opportunities for creativity and imagination, and enhance physical fitness and coordination – the benefits of outdoor play are numerous and have a lasting positive impact on children’s development. This is awe-inspiring learning at its finest!
Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage gain immense advantages from spending time outdoors in all weathers. Outdoor experiences make a significant contribution to their progress, particularly in their personal, emotional, social, and physical growth.
Don’t let a bit of bad weather put you off – play doesn’t have to stop because of rain. Children are often far less concerned about cold or drizzle than their parents, especially when they’re running around and staying warm. If it’s wet and muddy outside, why not dress them in wellies and old clothes, and let them splash around in puddles?
At Kindred, we champion the benefits of fresh air, outdoor exploration, and active play every day. We have created safe, stimulating outdoor environments in all our nurseries!
Play is most rewarding for children when they initiate it themselves, and it doesn’t take much to ignite their imagination. Given the chance, children will immerse themselves in outdoor adventures whenever possible. The outdoors is full of open-ended resources that spark creativity. A simple stone could be pirate treasure, a plate for a tiny pixie, food for a bear, a wall for a castle, a car for a bug – the possibilities are endless. Our nurseries feature fantastic loose parts resources in all gardens: children can access old tyres, pots and pans, fir cones, pebbles, shells, and bark chippings for imaginative play. Many of our nurseries also have digging areas where children can plant vegetables, nurture them as they grow, and even cook them for a hands-on tasting experience. We recently consulted our families on what to grow in our Les Enfants veggie patch!
Outdoor play also encourages communication and language development. Children are motivated to talk during stimulating experiences, and being outdoors provides plenty of conversation prompts. Our practitioners are trained to extend children’s learning with open-ended questions, recognising the value of these experiences. At every opportunity, we promote high-quality dialogue to build confidence and enhance speaking and listening skills. We are committed to creating moments of awe and wonder in every activity!
Playful parenting tips:
- Do allow them to enjoy physical challenges like climbing trees. Children learn by taking measured risks.
- Don’t be over-protective if the worst that can happen is a bump or scrape. Allow children to test their abilities and conquer fears, which is vital for developing new skills and independence. The key is to balance risk with the rewards of outdoor play.
- Do get outside and play in all weathers. It’s healthy, and if they get messy, baths and washing machines can help!
- Do recall the things you loved as a child – your kids are likely to enjoy them just as much.
- When children have their own ideas, encourage them to develop and explore them, seeing where their creativity leads.
Not yet part of a Kindred family? Our nurseries are located in Bromley, Bournemouth, Hanwell, and Teddington.
Come and explore – we would love to show you some of our magical outdoor play experiences!