Come play outside: ideas for having fun outdoors

The benefits of playing outside

Outdoor play brings a great many benefits. That's why, from a very young age, it's important to take children to play outside, in places where they can get dirty, climb, explore and walk on a variety of surfaces. Outdoor play offers diverse opportunities for children to develop a wide range of skills. For example, a child climbing a play structure at 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 up. Everyone goes at their own pace and does their own learning.

During outdoor play, the youngest children develop their balance by walking on trails where rocks and tree roots make them concentrate on staying upright and moving forward at their own pace. On a walk outside, a child whose boot gets stuck will learn to solve problems on their own.

Outdoor play is also the perfect place to get dirty while having fun! Remember the joy of making soups out of ingredients from nature, jumping with both feet into puddles, running with your mouth open to catch snowflakes and sliding in the mud after a downpour. Playing outside is fun for kids, and by moving, they experiment while they develop. What's more, by introducing children to outdoor play early, not only will they enjoy the benefits, they'll make it a lifelong habit.

Where can we go to play outside?

To help children enjoy the benefits of outdoor play, it's worth varying the places they explore. First, there's the traditional neighbourhood park or the daycare yard, where children will find safe play structures with a variety of surfaces designed to cushion falls. In these places, children can climb, have fun and develop their motor skills, as well as their social skills when, for example, they have to negotiate who gets to use the swing first. Another interesting place to explore with children is the forest or a park with walking trails. There may even be a community garden near you, where children would have a lot of fun exploring the paths and watching flowers and other plants change through the seasons.

Ideally, we let the children guide us in their explorations. For example, we let them choose which trail to explore. They'll make interesting discoveries and may collect rocks, leaves and branches. On these outings, a backpack full of snacks and water bottles is, of course, an essential tool.

Also, it's the adult's job to make sure the trails taken are an appropriate distance, so that the challenge offered to the children suits their physical abilities. You'll be amazed to see children walk longer and longer distances the more used to it they get, but most of all to see their pride in having met the challenge, whether looking at the map or arriving back at the starting point. Don't hesitate to head to fields or wide-open spaces where children can run, jump and shout to their hearts' content. These places give children great freedom of movement, which helps them develop their motor skills and let off steam. Rain or shine, a run through the fields lets children experience a variety of sensations: the wind in their hair, the rain falling on them or the grass brushing against their pants. Children learn by experiencing these sensations, and moving brings them a lot of fun.

Tips for having fun during outdoor play

• Choose the right clothes: To have fun outdoors, children need to be dressed well. Their clothes must suit the temperature because, ideally, we want to be able to play outside in any weather. It's important that the clothes chosen give them freedom of movement and are comfortable. Also, plan on the children getting dirty and wet, since that's one of the joys of playing outside; so bring a change of clothes.
• Offer different activities: Sometimes, some children are less tempted by outdoor play. To get them outside, we can suggest activities they usually like to do indoors. For example, we can draw outside by taping sheets of paper to a table. If a child prefers painting, we can bring gouache paint outdoors and go looking for rocks in the yard or in the woods, then decorate them. Gradually, by taking the child outside with activities they like, they'll move around in nature and develop their preferences.
• Bring inspiring materials: During outdoor play, don't hesitate to bring along items likely to interest or inspire the children. The classic pails and shovels are always popular. You can also offer boxes, nets for catching butterflies or other creatures, books, or fabric scarves they can make fly in the wind as they run. The strategy is to bring along things that captivate children; as they play, they'll be inspired by nature and set off on an adventure.
• Move with the children: You're a role model for the children around you. Set an example by moving and staying active. Reminding them how important it is to move and go outside for fresh air has a big impact on making children want to go play outside.
• Rain or shine, we go outside: It's worthwhile to go outside in different weather conditions. Children will experience different sensations depending on the season and the weather outside. What fun it is to play in the rain or flop down in the snow!

The benefits of playing outdoors are many. Playing outside helps ensure good physical health, but it also affects children's immune systems and promotes sleep. All excellent reasons to go play outside!

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