April 4, 2025 // by BCHPhysicians
Spending time outside isn’t just fun for kids—it’s good for their health, development, and overall well-being. As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to encourage children to step away from screens and explore the great outdoors. Behavioral Health Consultant Samantha Davis, LMSW, shares why outdoor play is so important and how families can make the most out of nature.
- Improved Physical Health - Outdoor play strengthens bones, muscles, and coordination while reducing the risk of obesity. Sunlight helps our bodies make vitamin D for bone health, and time outside can lower the risk of chronic conditions like obesity and depression.
- Encourages Creativity & Problem-Solving – Unstructured outdoor play encourages imagination and creativity. Studies have found that children who spent more time in nature exploration had improved learning outcomes.
- Improve mood and behaviors - Spending time in nature helps children manage stress, reduce depression, and improve focus. Research shows that outdoor play lowers anger, aggression, and impulsivity, which can be especially helpful during changes in routine. It also reduces ADHD symptoms and promotes overall emotional well-being.
Here are some age-appropriate ideas for outdoor play:
Infants & Toddlers
- Lay a blanket on the grass for tummy time, listen to birds, feel the breeze, or blow bubbles.
- Narrate what you see while walking to build language skills.
- Read books outside, connecting stories to nature.
- Roll a ball back and forth to help develop motor skills.
Preschoolers & Grade-School Kids
- Build sculptures with twigs, leaves, and rocks.
- Use the elements around you to spark the imagination. Trees can become forts, rocks can turn into mountains, or your kids can create stories for their favorite figurines, or decorate the driveway with chalk art.
- Give small yard work tasks like watering flowers.
- Bike, walk, or go on a silly stroll with fun movement challenges.
Older Kids & Teens
- Kick a soccer ball, throw a frisbee, jump rope, or play any sports you enjoy together to keep the outdoors fun.
- Pack a meal or host a barbecue with friends and family, enjoying food and games outside.
- Take a walk together to chat and check in. Walking side-by-side rather than sitting face-to-face can make it easier for teens to open up about their feelings, challenges, and how they're doing.
Outdoor play can support your child's health, creativity, and well-being at any age. To learn more about incorporating nature into your child's routine to help with their specific developmental needs, speak to your pediatric office about meeting with one of BCHP's many on-site behavioral health consultants.