Outdoor play reports & research

Getting adults on board with messy nature play

Research exploring parents' and educators' views of nature play found strong support for outdoor experiences, alongside continuing concerns about messy and risky activities. The study highlights practical barriers including hygiene, clothing, time pressures and parental expectations, and suggests that adults play a key role in enabling or restricting children's opportunities for outdoor play. University of South Australia (AUS), June 2023.

The Case for Play in Schools: A review of the literature

Making the Case for Play in Schools. Ana Ardelean, Kate Smith and Wendy Russell, Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC, Bristol, England. October 2021.

The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review

‘Nature play had consistent positive impacts on physical activity outcomes and cognitive play behaviours (imaginative and dramatic play). ‘ Dankiw, Tsiros, Baldock & Kumar, University of South Australia, 13 February 2020.

Natural Play Spaces Can Benefit Children’s Health, study finds

“Playgrounds that mimic the natural environment have physical and mental benefits for preschool children, according to a study.' University of Tennessee (US), 9 July 2019.

State of Nature Play

‘State-wide report of nature play, bush kinder & outdoor learning providers & initiatives in Victoria … identifies a growing & unmet demand … [and] key barriers & areas in need of support.’ Kids In Nature Network (Aus), 20 November 2018.

Outside play helps children meet movement targets

'Findings reinforce the idea that preschoolers are over twice as active and less sedentary when outdoors, placing the onus on policy makers, health care providers and others who have power and influence over children’s outdoor spaces to promote and support more outdoor play.' The Sector (Aus), November 2018.

Five Proven Benefits Of Play

5 examples of research proving the benefits of play, including the benefits of outdoor play. KQED (US), 31 August 2018.

Place-based nature kindergarten in Victoria, Australia: No tools, no toys, no art supplies

'In this paper Victorian educators from the Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network (Australia) respond to concerns regarding the direction of Forest Schools and the commodification of Forest School practices in the UK, and the suggestion that a similar model of Forest Schools has spread to Australia.' Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 2018.

Benefits & risks of tree climbing on child development & resiliency

Study found that children afforded the opportunity to be involved in risky play such as tree climbing grow socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, and creatively, and have increased resiliency. Gull, Goldstein & Rosengarten, University of Phoenix (US), November 2017.

Play: a report by the all-party parliamentary group on a fit and healthy childhood

‘The recommendations within (this report) contribute to our vision of ‘whole child’ health and wellbeing.’ Includes a chapter on outdoor & indoor play, and the health benefits of play. October 2015.

Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (Canada)

‘An evidence-informed Position Statement on active outdoor play for children aged 3–12 years ... Access to active play in nature and outdoors—with its risks— is essential for healthy child development. We recommend increasing children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings—at home, at school, in child care, the community and nature.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8 June 2015.

Well-being benefits of play at Fort Apache, Torbay

‘Research focus: to find out more about any wellbeing benefits gained by the children and young people from their play in Fort Apache and which aspects facilitate this wellbeing. It also looked at how best to carry out ongoing action-research in an open and accessible play woodland site such as Fort Apache.’ Part of the Good From Woods Project, 2013.

Whole Child: Developing Mind, Body, and Spirit Through Outdoor Play, 2010

When it comes to the whole child, nature may indeed be the best kind of nurture. National Wildlife Foundation: Connecting Kids & Nature - special reports (US), 2010.