Outdoor Play: Moving, Exploring, and Learning in Nature
When in doubt, go out! Outdoor exploration is a great way to get young children moving and exploring. The great outdoors has the power to change your mood, slow your pace, and deepen your breath—drawing your attention back to the present. With a few simple tools and the space to freely explore, outside play is a great rhythm to add to your day.
Why is it so important?
Some experts suggest kids should spend 3 hours a day of free play outside, which is far greater than the current 4-7 minutes of free outdoor play most kids are likely getting. Free outdoor play helps kids meet the recommended daily physical activity (r(it’s recommended that toddlers have 3 hours of physical activity every day.) Playing outside also helps young kids use their mounting energy, strengthen their body, focus their attention, and cultivate curiosity.
Favorite Outdoor Equipment:
A quality sun hat
Good rain jacket and boots
Clothes you don’t care about
Snowsuit and snow things
What to do outside?
Collect nature treasures. Offer a small basket, bucket or wagon and collect sticks, rocks, pinecones, or flowers.
Sort the collected treasures by size, color or texture.
Go on a nature walk and touch lots of things. Describe how it feels, rough bark, smooth rock, pokey grass.
Play in a river or sand near a lake. Fill buckets, pour water, dig with sticks, make a sand castle.
Obstacle course with nature. Have them help you create it using sticks, trees, rocks. Encourage running and exploring. Don’t be afraid to follow their lead.
Typically Kids Can:
Playing outside doesn’t need to be fancy or even planned. Getting outside and allowing your toddler to explore not only burns energy, it helps them strengthen muscles, develop balance, focus, connect, and cultivate curiosity. When your feeling like the day is dragging or when emotions are high, remember: when in doubt, just go out.
