The Benefits of Outdoor Play

Giving children the opportunity to play outdoors comes with an array of benefits which positively impacts their growth and development. At Grandir UK nurseries, outdoor play is an aspect we actively promote as apart of our enriching curriculum. Our safe, fun and engaging outdoor spaces encourage children to explore, discover and gain essential life skills through physical activity. Here’s more on why outdoor play is so beneficial for children:

1. Improved sleep

Outdoor play has a huge impact on a child’s quality of sleep. Parents that have been battling to get their child to sleep will be please to know that physical activity in the great outdoors has a calming effect making babies and toddlers sleep better, according to research. Our nurseries prioritise outdoor activities and play, ensuring children get the right balance of stimulation and relaxation to support restful sleep.

2. Educational benefits

Spending time playing outdoors offers endless amounts of learning opportunities for children. Outdoor play engages all the senses as they explore a multitude of scents, textures and sounds, enhancing cognitive development. The great thing about nature is that it is always changing, too, forever giving children something new and exciting to explore and learn.

At Grandir UK nurseries, outdoor learning is an integral part of children’s daily lives. For example, through our Eco-schools programme, children are empowered to care for the planet and get hands-on with sustainability projects, gardening and outdoor activities like nature walks and growing their own vegetables. This hands-on approach sparks curiosity and develops problem-solving skills and creativity in children from a young age.

3. Strengthens motor skills

Physical development is crucial in a child’s early years and frequent outdoor physical play helps support this process. Babies, toddlers and young children are learning to use all parts of their body in new and exciting ways. From walking, to jumping and pincer grips. The great outdoors gives multiple opportunities for children to develop their gross and fine motor skills with a whole new range of textures and environments that present new challenges that test their abilities.

Our nurseries feature a range of stimulating and safe outdoor spaces to encourage good physical fitness allowing children to challenge themselves in a engaging and safe environment.

4. Promotes health and well-being

Outdoor play as well as supporting mental health and building self confidence, also encourages children to be active, reducing sedentary habits and supporting overall physical health. Being outside allows children to become more physically active, as wide open spaces encourage them to run, jump, roll and crawl their way through different  areas. There are also other health benefits such as Vitamin D exposure, which is vital for strong bones and a healthy immune system. A lot of children are deficient in this vital vitamin, so by adding more outside time to their weekly routine you are helping them get the nutrients they need to thrive and develop.

5. Builds environmental awareness and responsibility

The earlier a child is exposed to the beauty of nature and outdoor play the better. This helps them foster a deep appreciation for the environment which they will carry with them throughout life. Understanding how plants grow, identifying different seasons, and observing wildlife all foster a sense of responsibility towards nature. This can have a knock-on effect in other aspects of their life such as being more conscious of energy consumption, ensuring they dispose of litter and recycle responsibly.

This also ties into our Sow & Grow educational programme, which is a core part of our Foundations for the Future pillars which empower children to become environmentally aware and responsible. Activities such as planting flowers, growing vegetables, and composting encourage responsibility and environmental consciousness from an early age.

Outdoor play at Grandir UK nurseries

We strongly believe that learning should extend beyond the classroom and we consider outdoor play as invaluable. James Nursery Manager of Kiddi Caru Abington Grove reaffirms this message: “Outdoor play is a vital part of early childhood education. It supports children’s mental and physical well-being while encouraging curiosity and independence.” That’s why all of our nurseries are equipped with well-designed outdoor spaces for children to explore, play and learn safely. Our experienced nursery teams do an excellent job of guiding children through structured and free play activities that support their physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

Want to see for yourself? Find a nursery near you here.