Into the Summer: The Benefits of Unstructured Outdoor Play for Kids

Jul 28, 2024 | children nature and health, Our News

Summer is here!

Whether building fairy houses, hunting for bugs in the yard, or using their muscles to climb a tree, the many ways kids can engage in imaginative play outside is my favorite aspect of summer break. Wonder can lead kids on the best adventures and experiences, while secretly building their knowledge and love of the outdoors.

As a mom of 2 young kids, I encourage them to spend their summer outside, yet I often feel like there is a ‘screen’ everywhere I turn. I see (and participate in!) the daily struggle to limit screen time. Within the first 10 minutes of downtime, they want to use a tablet or watch TV. They are bored and don’t know what to do. However – being bored can be good for us! In times of boredom, we learn how to entertain ourselves, which usually leads to creative and imaginative types of play that are not only fun, but significantly enhance the cognitive development and problem-solving skills crucial for adulthood.
Some statistics are so alarming it is hard to believe they are real. Did you know that the average American child spends only 4-7 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play, while logging a staggering 7.5 hours in front of electronic screens? This shift towards screen-based activities not only disconnects youth from nature and each other but also poses significant risks to their physical and mental health. In the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region alone, 88% of children are getting less than the recommended 1 hour of active time each day. In combination with the fact that 34% of youth are overweight or obese, it has never been more important to provide more opportunities to get outside and form the habits of body and mind that will help develop an active, healthy lifestyle now and into adulthood.

Getting in Nature Helps Children

  • Focus their attention through sensory engagement
  • Improve their eyesight as they move from different fields of view
  • Get more physical activity as they explore areas with a variety of structures
  • Increase problem solving skills and creativity as they lean into their imagination
  • Reduce stress as they spend more time in green spaces

At Rochester Ecology Partners, we strive to help all people enjoy outdoor spaces as a place to learn, and have fun, while enjoying each other and the world around them. We want to help kids from all around our community build positive relationships with nature that will encourage them to live active and healthy lives, while also valuing the natural world around them and thinking about how they can contribute to a healthy planet and sustainable future. So, let’s get kids outside using their imaginations and finding the fun they can create in the world around them. And let’s all step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and find nature for our bodies, minds, and the planet.

Written by Lindsay Clark, Program Development Manager

This blog post is part of our Health Benefits of Nature for Children project funded by the Browncroft Pediatric Research Foundation.

Learn More About the Project

Donations to Rochester Ecology Partners contribute to our efforts to provide opportunities for free play through our Nature-based Learning Program.

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Nature-based Learning Symposium

Attend our symposium on August 20th to immerse yourself in nature, meet others who value nature-based learning, and learn how to create opportunities for young people to engage with nature.

Vitamin N Challenge

The Children and Nature Network Vitamin N Challenge has resources for families looking to increase their family’s exposure to nature.
Learn More

References:

Marshall, L. (2020, February 4). Why Your Kids Should Spend Time Outdoors. Grow by WebMD. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/kids-spend-time-outdoors

Marshall, L. (2020, February 4). Why Your Kids Should Spend Time Outdoors. Grow by WebMD. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/kids-spend-time-outdoors

 The Aspen Institute. (2017). (rep.). State of Play: Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Aspen, CO