06/01/2026
For many of us, summer has begun. Why is it important to spend time outside?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes a day of unstructured outdoor play. They report this to be an essential part of a child’s physical and mental health as well as a contributor to their social development. With unstructured play, children are more likely to explore the world around them and play for a longer period of time.
Children who play outside more tend to have better distance vision than children who are always indoors. Also, outdoor play improves children’s sensory skills. When playing outside children are activating their sense of smell, touch, hearing, and sight more often than when playing inside with an electronic device.
Stress and depression are reportedly lower for all people who spend time in nature. Playing outside promotes curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, and focus.
How do we get children outside more?
*Spend time outside with them. Shoot hoops. Play badminton. Go swimming.
*Make outside fun. Bubbles, chalk and running through the sprinkler are all age fun activities.
*Visit a new park, or several. Make a chart and rank them against each other.
*Make dinner a picnic. Lay out a blanket and enjoy an evening in the grass or on the porch.
*Go on a nature walk. Play eye spy, collect pictures to look at later, and get curious of the world around you.
Questions? Reach out to Chelsea Hammond at [email protected] or 701-241-5700.
