Active Play

Research shows that children who spend time outdoors in nature are physically active, learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and develop skills to cope with stress.1 Being outdoors has so many benefits for your health including being more active, reducing sedentary time and contributing to positive mental health. When children are outside, they move more and sit less. Consider:

  • climbing a tree
  • going for a bike ride, sledding
  • building a fort
  • splashing in water
  • playing tag
  • hiding behind a rock or a tree
  • or playing basketball in the driveway
Why Be Active Outdoors?

When a child engages in outdoor play, they can gain many health benefits, such as:

  • Better health, growth and development
  • Stronger hearts, muscles and bones
  • Improved self-esteem and social skills including conflict resolution, problem solving, sharing
  • Enhanced motor skill development and physical literacy - climbing, kicking, throwing, jumping
  • Increased independence such as learning to test physical limits and boundaries, decision making, and risk management
  • Improvement in thinking skills, promoting creativity and encouraging self-esteem
  • Better academic performance
  • An opportunity to have fun with friends and family
  • Learning first-hand about nature, the weather and the seasons 
     
Enjoy being outdoors in all types of weather

Playing in all types of weather can be fun and very engaging. Jumping in puddles during a soft rain or building a snowman on a snowy day can be great fun. Check out the tips below for outdoor play in winter, spring, summer and fall and get outside in the rain, sun or snow.  But remember, in extreme weather conditions, take shelter and stay inside.

Ideas to encourage outdoor play

Ideas for parents

York Region has many outdoor play opportunities that range from recreational, cultural and historic.  There are so many attractions just waiting to be experienced and keep children entertained.

All other community inquiries: please email [email protected]

Ideas for schools

Public Health Nurses are available to provide schools in York Region with consultation, support, programs and resources on physical activity for staff, students and parents. Find out how to contact the York Region Public Health Nurse for your school by calling Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or email @email 

For up-to-date information about COVID-19 Public Health guidelines, visit york.ca/safeatschool

 

Reference
1 Outdoor Play Canada, State of the Sector Summary Report (2021) Retrieved August 10 2022

Related Resources 

External Resources