Outdoor Play

Outdoor Play

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Published on

Jul 28, 2020
in
Health Tip of the Week
Outdoor play is beneficial for children beyond the physical activity it provides. It helps them socialize, understand their bodies better, engage in imaginative play and enjoy the outdoors. In today's busy and complex world, it can be difficult to schedule outdoor time with your child. But, it is something you should prioritize for your child's healthy growth and development.
School-aged children need about three hours of outdoor play each day. While this is a lot to add to a daily schedule, the activity will contribute to the physical and emotional health of your child.
Katie K. Lockwood, MD , a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Primary Care office in South Philadelphia , shares some tips about how families can get active together.
Unstructured physical activity improves the health of your child. It reduces the likelihood of obesity and weight-related health concerns which are becoming bigger issues for families today. Outdoor play also improves mental health as a result of physical activity.
Screens and the amount of time your child spends engaging with a device is a key reason why outdoor time should be a scheduled activity.
“Scheduling time to actively play outdoors sets a natural limit on the amount of time your child can spend with a device (such as TV, smartphone or video game),” says Dr. Lockwood. “It promotes active engagement with their peers and the natural environment, and helps them develop respect for the world and consideration for others around them.”
Replacing some recreational screen time with outdoor play also helps reduce the risks of a sedentary lifestyle.
Unstructured physical activity during the day also helps children sleep better at night. It can increase concentration and improve mood the next day.
Perhaps the greatest health benefit is in a child’s ability to learn how to engage with others while having fun.
“Outdoor play helps children grow socially, helping them to develop healthy ways of forming friendships, responding to physical interaction, and using their imaginations to entertain each other,” says Dr. Lockwood. “It helps them solve problems, build relationships within their peer group and gain a respect for nature.”
Knowing why outside play is important to your child's development is the first step to prioritizing outdoor activities in your child’s schedule. Knowing where to go is another step in the right direction.
To find ideas for places you might go and activities you may want to try with your family, visit your local parks and recreation website or the visitors bureaus of towns and cities near where you live. Look for things like public parks and trails, zoos, orchards, gardens and wildlife refuges.
If you can’t go far or travel isn’t an option, there are still many ways to get outside close to home. Consider the following activities:
Are you looking for advice to keep your child healthy and happy? Do you have questions about common childhood illnesses and injuries? Subscribe to our Health Tips newsletter to receive health and wellness tips from the pediatric experts at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, straight to your inbox. Read some recent tips .
With our patient portal you can schedule appointments, access records, see test results, ask your care provider questions, and more.
Subscribe to our Health Tips enewsletter to receive health and wellness tips from the pediatric experts at CHOP.
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Prediabetes is a serious condition that can be managed or reversed by making healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
Tiny ticks can pose a big health risk. Follow these steps to keep your family safe in the great outdoors.
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