Imagine your favorite childhood memories: swinging from tree branches, digging in the dirt, and playing flashlight tag until your parents forced you inside for dinner. Spending time outdoors is one of the most magical parts of childhood. With endless opportunities for creative and active adventures, outdoor play for kids offers parents a break while children create priceless memories.
Why Is Playing Outside Good for Kids?
Outdoor play for kids provides ample opportunities for physical activity, helping them with physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Whether it’s climbing on playground equipment, riding bikes, or playing tag with friends, the benefits of playing outside cannot be overstated. Beyond the joy and freedom of running around open fields or splashing in puddles, playing outside plays a crucial role in development, and making it a part of your routine will benefit the whole family.
Playing outside is the easiest way to help your little ones get their wiggles out. Not only will they burn off their boundless energy, but running around and getting plenty of exercise supports cardiovascular health and can even improve sleep patterns. Outdoor play for kids also supports gross motor development, helping with strength and coordination.
Playing Outside Supports Cognitive Development and Creativity
Not only is outdoor play for kids great physically, but it’s also wonderful for cognitive development, mental health, and creativity. Fresh air is proven to boost mood in both children and adults.
Additionally, the unstructured nature of playing outside gives kids the freedom to invent games and explore imaginary worlds, which helps foster problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
Outdoor play for kids also helps to:
- Manage stress
- Regulate emotions
- Build self-confidence
Whether they’re running around in puddles or freeze-dancing with friends in the front yard, your little ones will find the key to supporting their overall well-being when playing outside.
Outdoor Play to Support Learning
In addition to all of the above benefits, playing outside can help support your child’s learning objectives at their respective daycare center or school. At The Breakie Bunch Learning Center, we prioritize outdoor time for all of our young toddler classes and above. A change of scenery for little ones is great to break up the day while reaping all the benefits of physical activity.
Connecting learning objectives to outdoor play is easy. For example, children can practice counting and sorting natural objects, like different types of leaves and rocks. They can also observe nature in real-time, connecting the animals they have learned about in class to their natural habitats and lifecycles.
Michigan is Perfect for Outdoor Play
Fortunately, in the beautiful state of Michigan, we have gorgeous opportunities for spending time outdoors. Whether you’re a Goodrich family or you’re closer to Waterford, you’ll find ample opportunities to take your little ones on new adventures outside.
Both areas have terrific parks that are great for families, many of which have free kids’ activities that are educational and fun. With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan all of your outdoor adventures with your kids. Grab your sneakers and make outdoor play a part of your summer routine – your whole family will love it!