Outdoor Play

In childcare, there is a renewed emphasis on outdoor play. Programs are expanding the outdoor classroom to meet the everyday needs of children. Having a well-developed outdoor classroom is an essential part of any program. Children enjoy having opportunities and experiences in the outdoor classroom. Outdoor spaces invite children to connect learning with movement through rich sensory experiences.

In my work with school-age children, I have experienced many different outdoor environments. I have worked in public parks, schools, universities, and private childcare programs. The outdoor spaces in each program were different. Some schools featured play structures, ball courts, and sandpits, while other schools had wild and open adventure playgrounds. The children enjoyed each type of space and were open to exploring whatever was available. I want to share the attributes the children in our program enjoy best in the outdoor classroom. I hope that sharing my observations helps you formulate ideas for your outdoor space.

What are some characteristics school-age children enjoy in an outdoor space?

Choice – Children enjoy outdoor spaces that offer choice. Some children enjoy swings, running in the grass, or playing at the water table. Other children enjoy using cardboard and branches to build a fort. Having a variety of options helps support children as they connect to the outdoor environment.

Space - Children need space to create and move in the outdoor classroom. Supporting a variety of different learning styles requires different amounts of physical space. Some children want to move often. Active children in small areas may interfere with children who enjoy working at a different pace.

Materials - The outdoor classroom needs materials to support large and small motor activities. Some children enjoy collecting and exploring leaves, mud, rocks, and insects. Other children want to build with more extensive materials like crates, pipes, and other recycled materials. Having spaces where children can explore different types of materials supports outdoor play.

Bring the Inside/Outside - Invite children to explore inside materials with a new perspective. Bringing the indoor classroom outdoors supports children who may prefer to stay inside and invites children to build, draw, read, or paint in a new environment.

Freedom to Create - Children in the outdoor classroom enjoy creating in a new space while accessing interesting materials. Children gravitate toward areas in the outdoor classroom built by other children.

These are a few attributes that foster enjoyable play in the outdoor classroom. The current situation requires us to be nimble. We need to be creative in our approach to space development. Collaboration with other educators will help you decide what works best for your learning community.