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Encouraging Children to Enjoy Outdoor Play
A structured overview of what credible sources and parent perspectives commonly say about this topic.
Quick answer
Outdoor play refers to unstructured physical activities outside where children can explore, run, climb, and engage with nature. Options to encourage outdoor play include nature walks, water play, gardening, and free play in safe outdoor spaces, balanced with limiting screen time and providing positive parental involvement.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 11. Designate a daily time for outdoor play, even if just 20-30 minutes.
- 22. Remove screens or devices from the child's immediate environment during outdoor time.
- 33. Prepare simple outdoor activities like a nature walk or water play to engage your child.
What to say
- “Let's go outside and see what interesting things we can find today!”
- “I love playing outside with you — it helps us both get strong and have fun!”
- “What colors or shapes do you see on our walk? Let's talk about them together.”
What to practice consistently
- Establish a consistent routine that includes daily outdoor play.
- Narrate and ask open-ended questions during outdoor activities to build language skills.
- Model positive attitudes toward outdoor play by participating and showing excitement.
What to avoid
- Using screens as a primary way to calm or entertain the child.
- Pressuring the child to play outside if they are resistant without gentle encouragement.
- Over-structuring outdoor time so it feels like a chore rather than play.
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What this usually involves
- Unstructured outdoor time allowing children to run, climb, dig, and explore at their own pace
- Activities that promote sensory exploration such as water play and gardening
- Parental narration and open-ended questions during outdoor activities to build language and cognitive skills
- Balancing outdoor play with indoor learning activities to support holistic development
- Limiting screen time to encourage more physical activity and face-to-face interaction
- Creating safe, accessible outdoor spaces that invite curiosity and social play
Related questions
The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for children aged 3 to 17, including outdoor play.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting screen time to one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 and creating screen-free zones and times to promote active play.
Incorporate literacy and math skills into outdoor activities, such as counting objects or describing nature, while allowing unstructured play to foster creativity and physical development.
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From around the web
The Importance of Outdoor Play for Young Children
Explains how outdoor play supports physical, sensory, and social development in young children.
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
Physical Activity Basics for Children
Provides guidelines and benefits of physical activity including outdoor play for children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Screen Time and Children
Offers recommendations on screen time limits and creating screen-free zones to encourage active play.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Why Outdoor Play Matters for Kids
Discusses benefits of outdoor play and tips for parents to encourage it.
Nemours KidsHealth