Make Outdoor Play Part of Every Day This Spring

Spring has finally arrived—and with it comes the perfect invitation to get outside and explore! Whether it’s a sunny morning, a breezy afternoon, or even a rainy day, the outdoors offers endless opportunities for children to play, grow, and thrive.

Why Outdoor Play Matters

Outdoor play is more than just fresh air—it’s foundational to healthy development. When children have the space and freedom to play outside, they:

• ➤ Build confidence, independence, and resilience
• ➤ Strengthen mental wellbeing
• ➤ Practice problem-solving and risk-taking
• ➤ Use all areas of development—from motor skills and language to math and social skills
• ➤ Experience uninterrupted, open-ended play

Time outdoors also gives children a chance to connect with nature and become more aware of their surroundings, limits, and abilities.

What Can You Do Outside? So Much!

Looking for fun, low-cost ways to enjoy the outdoors with your child this spring? Try:

• ➤ A scavenger hunt in your yard or neighborhood
• ➤ Helping with gardening or spring clean-up
• ➤ Visiting a Little Free Library to take or share a book
• ➤ Making art with found materials like leaves, pinecones, or rocks
• ➤ Jumping into sensory play with sand, water, or mud
• ➤ Going on a nature walk to spot seasonal changes
• ➤ Spending time at a local playground (many are accessible—see local listings!)

No equipment? No problem! Outdoor play can be as simple as running, jumping, rolling down a hill, or balancing on a log.

Let’s Talk About Risky Play

The outdoors is an ideal place for children to engage in risky play—climbing, jumping, exploring heights, or moving quickly. These experiences help children assess risk, make decisions, and build confidence.

Instead of saying “Be careful,” try supportive prompts like:

• ➤ “Do you feel stable on that log?”
• ➤ “What’s your plan if you jump from there?”
• ➤ “These rocks look slippery—how will you get across?”

Your calm, curious approach will help children tune into their own comfort levels and strengthen their ability to think critically and safely during play.

Celebrate Spring and Earth Day (April 22)

Spring is the season of growth, and it’s also a great time to show care for the planet. Get outside and:

• ➤ Turn off lights and open windows
• ➤ Pick up litter on your street
• ➤ Walk or bike instead of drive

These small actions help children build a lifelong love for nature and their community.

“When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.” – Maria Montessori

Let’s make outdoor time part of every child’s day—rain or shine!