Why outdoor play is great for kids

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18th January

Why outdoor play is great for kids

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Fairfield Animal Centre, Southwick

Kids just love to play, and what better place for them to do it than the great outdoors. It's not just about fun; outdoor play is the perfect environment for child development. Engaging in outdoor play equips children with a multitude of physical skills. Here's how outdoor activities contribute to their physical development:

  • Hand-eye coordination: all that climbing, running, and playground games, they're not just fun, they teach kids how to use their eyes and hands together, which is super useful in everyday life.
  • Building muscles: from running around like crazy to climbing trees, outdoor play helps kids get strong. It's like a free gym where they learn about their physical limits.
  • Getting crafty: building stuff with sand, crafting dens – these activities help improve their fine motor skills, which come in handy when they're drawing, writing, or using tools.
  • Risk evaluation: outdoor play teaches kids to size up challenges and understand risks. It's like a crash course in making safe decisions, which is a life skill they'll always need.

Another key benefit of outdoor play is social development. Playing outdoors isn't just about games, it's also about learning to get along with others:

  • Making friends: when kids hit the playground, they usually meet up with friends or make new ones. Learning to share swings and slides is a big deal for social development.
  • Mixing it up: they might play with kids they know from school and some they don't. This mix teaches them to interact with all sorts of people, which is a valuable skill for life.
  • Conflict resolution: sometimes, they'll have to deal with disagreements. These experiences teach them how to handle conflict, a skill they'll use throughout their lives.


Outdoor play is like a magical recipe for a child's development. It's where they pick up not just physical skills but also learn to be great at making friends and solving problems. And that tiny bit of risk? It's like a reality check, helping them understand that life comes with consequences. So, let them play outside and watch them grow, develop and (most importantly) have fun!

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