The Benefits of Outdoor Play

Playing outside conjures some of our favorite childhood experiences… hiding under a willow, wading in water, and playing tag. Our outdoor memories were often joyful times and we think about them every now and then, even as adults. But what we don’t always consider is that these memories were instrumental to our growth and development as individuals and as children of God.

Outdoor play encourages children to explore, marvel, wonder, discover, practice, create and take risks. In doing so, outdoor play provides children with an opportunity to learn about themselves and about God’s world.

Playing outdoors necessarily engages children in a variety of play, including sensory, gross motor, and construction play. As children experiment with different play, they begin to build their knowledge and experiences: Is this water cold to my touch? Can I pull this sled across the playground? Can I build a sandcastle with this kind of sand?

Outdoor play also helps children observe, wonder and explore God’s world. As the children consciously wonder about nature, they begin to appreciate all that God has created: How high can I make this puddle splash? What exactly is the praying mantis doing with his legs? Where will this path lead me?

Children at NPCC spend a great deal of time outdoors. Sometimes, when the weather is particularly cooperative, we bring the “indoors out” so that the children can read stories, enjoy snacks, and paint pictures in the fresh air.  But mostly, we spend our time enjoying the outdoors – the smell of the rain, playing in the mud, and running across the playground; we spend our time helping children to build knowledge and memories as they learn about themselves and about God’s world.