At Lund’s Early Childhood Program (LECP), outdoor play is an important part of our play-based curriculum. Research shows that outdoor play during a child’s early development has many health benefits.
At Lund, we focus on three key areas of development: physical, cognitive, and social-emotional. Whether it’s building strength, sparking imagination, or developing emotional and sensory skills, every moment outside is an opportunity to learn.
Benefits of outdoor play:
Physical Benefits
- Strengthens muscles and bones
- Improves movement, balance, and flexibility
- Encourages an active lifestyle and healthy habits
- Supports healthy sleep by increasing physical activity
Cognitive Benefits
- Boosts creativity and imagination through unstructured play
- Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
- Improves focus, attention, and concentration
- Supports early science, math, and observation skills through nature
Social-Emotional Benefits
- Builds confidence and independence
- Improves mood and emotional regulation
- Supports self-regulation through calming and stimulating experiences
- Increases empathy for living things
Our teachers see the benefits of outdoor play first-hand, “We love to get outside all throughout the year! Different seasons mean different activities, which means learning more about the world we live in. In the spring we love to see how everything starts growing, especially in our garden, which we continue to watch in the summer. Summer also means water play and getting messy! Fall we get to see all the leaves changing and how animals prepare for winter. Winter play involves sledding and snow! The kids get to explore and learn, while also developing their gross motor skills. They also get some of their energy out which allows for a greater ability for inside learning through play too!”
Looking for age-appropriate ways to get your little one outside? Here are some ideas:
0-12 months
- Tummy time on a blanket outdoors
- Looking at trees, clouds, and leaves
- Listening to birds and feeling gentle breezes
- Reading a book outside
- Rolling or sitting on a blanket while exploring nature
1-3 years
- Walking on different surfaces (grass, sand, mulch)
- Splashing in puddles
- Digging in dirt or sand
- Chasing bubbles
- Collecting sticks, rocks, or leaves
3-5 years
- Playing on playgrounds
- Riding tricycles or bikes
- Gardening and planting
- Playing simple games like tag or hide-and-seek
- Creating nature art with leaves, flowers, or rocks
Being outdoors gives children and adults grounding experiences that leave a lasting impression. Watching pollinators bring flowers to life, tasting the sweet rewards of garden work, and feeling soil sift through your hands support physical and mental well-being, while opening a child’s world to endless hands-on learning.
