As leaders in the outdoor summer camp field, you know we’re a big fan of getting outside. But did you know that there are research and evidence-based reasons why this is the best possible therapy for them? We should be concerned about sufficient outdoor time; according to research, children under the age of seven are expending, on average, 20 to 30 percent less energy doing physical activity than is recommended by the WHO. Read on for why playing outdoors is the best TLC you can provide your growing child. 

1. Get that Vitamin D!
Vitamin D is an essential building block for bones and the immune system, and we get it from sunshine. Want your kid to be a better sleeper? Vitamin D will also help improve sleep.

2. Brain Development Boosts
In infancy and toddler years, outdoor time invigorates and enlightens the senses and trains the brain to make new neuronal connections. As children get older, it leads to more imaginative play and increased spatial awareness. Physically, this is the best opportunity for gross and fine motor skills.

3. Executive Functioning Advantages
When children have outdoor time, research points to them being less fidgety, having improved memory recall, and developing creativity in problem-solving.

4. Responsibility and Risk-Taking
It’s hard to watch our kids climb trees or jump from limb to limb, but these activities train children in appropriate risk-taking behaviors. It can be scary if they get hurt—after all, no one wants a broken arm—but children learn from failure and from the opportunity to try risky things. 

5. Socialization and Leadership Skills
Playground (and yes, camp) interactions teach children a variety of social and leadership skills such as negotiation, conflict resolution, and appropriate turn-taking and cooperative skills. 

6. Increased Academic Performance (Yes, Really!)
Do you ever wonder why recess is protected? It’s because outdoor exposure is directly correlated with increased academic performance. Free, unstructured playtime leads to better focus when academic tasks are required, and helps children follow directions more easily, stay on task, and solve problems independently. 

7. Stress Reduction
Finally, being outside and in nature reduces what is called “directed attention” and allows for brain reset and relaxation. This is especially vital today when children are surrounded by urban distractors. 

The moral of our story? Get your children outside. While screen time is a welcome addition to modern parenting and a great distractor, outdoor play and unstructured time may be the best possible benefit for your child’s cognitive and overall development. If you’re fortunate, you can spend the whole summer working on this with us (hint, hint!). 

Looking forward to seeing your readers soon!