The fondest memories of childhood are often outdoors and often independent – adventures with friends that push the boundaries, that are fun and filled with a sense of freedom.
Those experiences are important not just for the memories made and the joy of the moment, but during these playful adventures we also develop crucial skills for a fulfilling adulthood – problem-solving, resilience, negotiation skills, empathy.
Sadly, the time and the space that children need to have these experiences are being eroded. Too often folk tut at children playing in the street instead of encouraging and welcoming them. Playing fields and green spaces are lost to development or poorly maintained. Too much traffic limits how far children can safely explore. Structured activities crowd out children’s time for free play.
For too long we have stood by and watched children’s outdoor play decline. That is why I’m leading the new Outdoor Play Research Centre, based at the University of Exeter - to provide the evidence and the leadership needed to drive real change for children.
Our new research illustrated why our work is needed.
Parents’ responses for the British Children’s Play Survey reveal that children are starting independent outdoor play later than they themselves did. Children are now nearly 11 before they start playing out on their own, exploring the world for themselves, meeting up with friends and having adventures. In contrast, parents report that they were aged nine when they first played outdoors.
Our previous research has shown that outdoor and adventurous play is linked to better health and wellbeing, including lower anxiety and more positive emotions. Outdoor play is also linked to more physical activity. The benefits of outdoor play therefore align with some of the key childhood health problems the country is currently facing.
There is a plethora of reasons for the generational change from independent outdoor play towards indoor activities.
The most obvious of which is younger generations spending much more time inside and in front of screens than previous generations, whether that be at home or in educational settings. Just the other day I was commenting to a friend that when we were children there was only the TV and only four channels (yes four!) for us to choose from. If nothing interesting was on, we had to find something else to do. In contrast, children now have entertainment on tap via screens 24/7.
Of course, not all screen time is created equally and there are huge differences between a child playing a creative, collaborative, open ended computer game online with friends, and scrolling social media or shorts. But the reality is that there is more of a pull to be inside than perhaps every before.
But focusing only on screen time risks ignoring the other important barriers to outdoor play. These include lack of accessible and high-quality spaces for play, where even older children feel welcome and can find fun things to do, the challenge of independent travel – if roads are busy, pavements are narrow, and safe crossing are not available then children can’t get to one another or to spaces for play. We also need to push back against social norms – children should be welcomed into public space and outdoor play celebrated.
The Outdoor Play Research Centre will not only seek to understand the issues and the barriers to independent outdoor play but we will propose solutions that work for parents and for policy makers to shift the dial back in favour of children.
There are steps that parents can take now to help facilitate the sort of independent outdoor play that can benefit their children:
- look for opportunities to give your child a little bit of independence when they feel ready. It is easiest to give independence a little bit at a time. Depending on their age, it might be letting them explore a park with their friends whilst you stay in one spot, for younger children it might be letting them balance without holding their hand. Pay attention to your child and what they might be ready for next, be there to support them but give them the space to develop their independence.
- listen to your child and what they want, are they pushing for more independence? Talk to them about what feels safe and fun for them and see if you can find some ways to give them independence that you feel comfortable with.
- when they go back to school it can be a great opportunity to establish new routines, could they start walking to school? Could they walk some of the way independently?
- get children used to outdoor play being something that they do every day, that is just part of their lives. Wrap up warm in winter, go out early in summer, most days it is possible to get out and enjoy some outdoor adventures even in the British weather.
- take the pressure off yourself - sometimes the best play moments are unexpected, You don’t need to create and manage children’s play, they just need space, time and permission. So, when you have time to do so, let your child lead, let them explore and discover.
These are just the beginning.
All of us know that play, and especially outdoor play, is good for children mentally and physically. And yet there is so much more we can all do to facilitate that.