Why is playing outdoors so important?

Get your toddler out and about enjoying a bike ride!

There is so much for your little one to learn outside...whatever the weather!

As you’re looking out of the window on a cold, crisp afternoon, you might be tempted to crank up the heating and play indoors with your little one. But from your child’s perspective, the great outdoors remains an exciting place, full of adventure and has limitless opportunities for exploration. She’s not seeing the nasty weather; she’s just wondering when she can get out and ride her bike or kick leaves about. Add to that the fact that outdoor play can be the start of her interest in an active, healthy lifestyle that’ll continue to develop throughout her childhood, and there’s no excuse not to get out every day – whatever the weather’s doing.

A world of adventures

Outdoor play also benefits your child’s mental development. First of all, there’s the boost it gives her imagination. You’ll see her simply running along the grass, but in her head she could be doing all kinds of thrilling things – escaping from a dragon, running after a cartoon character or pretending to be her older brother.

You child’s observational skills will also be enhanced as she takes in new sights and sounds, learns how to group similar objects, such as leaves, stones and plants, and develops the ability to differentiate between different colours and forms. Her language will be developing too, as she extends her vocabulary with new words to describe her experiences.

Self-confidence and understanding

Through outdoor play, children also learn risk assessment – or how to weigh up the possibility of injury – and about their own strengths and weaknesses. Your child will be pushing the boundaries, reaching for another rung on a climbing frame, walking that little bit further, or running further than before. Discovering that she’s able to climb that extra step or run slightly faster than she could before makes your toddler feel good about herself.

Energetic physical play enables her to learn what she can and cannot do – she’ll learn, for example, that she’s good at walking but not so steady when running – and through this process she gradually builds up a picture of herself and her abilities.

Finally, there’s her physical skills. Through outdoor play, your toddler builds and advances her motor skills, things like running, climbing, jumping, walking, stepping and balancing. It also hones her hand-eye co-ordination as she grips, pulls, holds and pushes.

Above everything else, it’s pure fun to get out in the fresh air – and you might just find your own energy levels and brainpower soaring, too.