Come Play Outside: Ideas for Outdoor Fun

The Benefits of Playing Outside

Outdoor games offer a great number of benefits. That's why, from a very young age, it is important to take children to play outdoors, in places where they can get dirty, climb, explore, and walk on varied surfaces. Outdoor play offers diverse opportunities for children to develop a multitude of skills. For example, a child climbing a structure in the park will learn to manage risk-taking. Some children will climb to the highest peak they can reach with great pride, while others will turn back after a few steps. Each one goes at their own pace and makes their own discoveries.

During outdoor play, younger children will develop their balance by walking on paths where rocks and tree roots will lead them to concentrate on staying upright and moving at their own pace. During an outdoor walk, a child whose boot gets stuck will learn to solve problems alone.

Outdoor play is also the ideal place to get dirty and have fun! Remember the joyful moments you had preparing nature soups, jumping barefoot in puddles, running to catch snowflakes, and sliding in the mud after a downpour. Playing outside is fun for children, and by moving, children experiment while developing. Moreover, by introducing children to outdoor play early, not only will they enjoy the benefits, but they will make it a lifelong habit.

Where to Go to Play Outside?

For children to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play, it's interesting to vary the places to explore. First, there's the traditional neighborhood park or the daycare yard, where children can find safe play structures with varied surfaces designed to absorb falls. In these places, children can climb, play, and develop their motor skills, but also their social skills when, for example, they have to negotiate who will be the first to use the swing. Another interesting place to explore with children is the forest or a park with hiking trails. There might even be, near your home, a community garden, where children would have a lot of fun exploring the trails and observing the flowers and other plants throughout the seasons.

Ideally, we let children guide us in their explorations. For example, we let them choose the trail to explore. Children will make interesting discoveries there and may collect rocks, leaves, and branches. During these excursions, a backpack filled with snacks and water bottles will, of course, be an essential tool.

Furthermore, it is the adult's role to ensure that the trails taken represent an appropriate distance to cover so that the challenge offered to children is adapted to their physical capacities. You will be amazed to see children walk increasingly longer distances the more accustomed they become, but especially to see their pride in having accomplished this challenge, by looking at the map or by returning to the starting point. Do not hesitate to go to fields or vast spaces where children can run, jump, and shout at will. These places allow children great freedom of movement, which leads them to develop their motor skills and let off steam. Come rain or shine, a run in the fields allows children to experience a variety of sensations: the wind in their hair, the rain falling on them, or the grass rubbing against their pants. Children learn by experimenting with these sensations, and movement leads them to have a lot of fun.

Tips for Having Fun During Outdoor Play

• Choose the right clothes: To have fun outdoors, children must be well dressed. Their clothes must be adapted to the temperature, because ideally, we want to be able to play outside in good weather or bad. It is important that the chosen clothes allow them freedom of movement and are comfortable. In addition, it must be anticipated that children will get dirty and wet, as this is one of the pleasures of playing outdoors; therefore, spare clothes should be planned.
• Propose different activities: Sometimes, some children are less tempted by outdoor play. To encourage them to come outside, we can offer them activities they usually enjoy doing indoors. For example, we can draw outside by taping sheets of paper to a table. If a child prefers painting, we can bring gouache outside and look for rocks in the yard or in the woods to then decorate them. Gradually, by taking the child outside with activities they enjoy, they will move in nature and develop their preferences.
• Bring inspiring material: During outdoor play, do not hesitate to bring material likely to interest or inspire children. Traditional buckets and spades are always popular. You can also offer boxes, nets to catch butterflies or other creatures, books, or fabric scarves that they can make fly in the wind while running. The strategy is to bring captivating material for children; during their games, they will be inspired by nature and go on adventures.
• Move with children: You are role models for the children around you. Lead by example by moving and being active. Reminding them of the importance of moving and going outside for fresh air has a significant impact on making children want to play outside.
• Come rain or shine, we go outside: It is interesting to go outside in different weather conditions. Children will experience different sensations according to the seasons and the weather outside. What a joy to play in the rain or fall in the snow!

The benefits of outdoor play are numerous. Indeed, playing outdoors helps ensure good physical health, but also has effects on children's immune systems and promotes sleep. These are all excellent reasons to go play outside!

Do you want to have the opportunity to consult all the content published in the Magazine every month as a preview, and have access to our Toolbox including free practical and fun downloads? Subscribe to Belles Combines Magazine now!