Outdoor Play and Learning Ideas

Outdoor Play and Learning Ideas

Did you know outdoor learning and play helps children grow healthy and strong?

Benefits of outdoor learning and play

  • engages children with learning and leads to a greater connection with nature
  • teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity
  • it is fun.

Physical play outdoors helps to keep children move more and be active.

All this helps bodies and minds develop and be healthy and strong.

Ideas on how to start

Plan your week to be active outdoors together as a family or with other families.

This may be an afternoon a week or on weekends. Arrange to:

  • kick the football at the local oval
  • play beach cricket
  • meet up at the local playground
  • walk the dog at the park
  • go for a walk in the local bush reserve
  • collect shells at the beach.

Explore places to be active.

Bush land, national parks and state reserves are great for walking or bike riding. Pack a picnic now summer is on its way.

Reduce your child’s screen time by planning outdoor play opportunities at home

Involve your child in:

  • gardening for example planting some summer fruit or vegetables or water the garden
  • games like hide and seek
  • making a cubby or a mud kitchen.

Be a good role model for your children

If an active lifestyle is part of your life, you’re much more likely to pass similar good habits to your children. Kids love it when mum and dad join in their games and it’s fun for adults to remember what it was like being a kid too!

Think about how you can spend more time outdoors as a family and inspire other parents to do the same.

Check out the Move Well Eat Well families website page for more information including nature play activities

Find out more about Outdoor Classroom Day on this website