13 Benefits of Outside Play

13 benefits of outside play that are backed by science:

1. Children who play outside are more physically active, which helps prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues
2. Children with nature-rich schoolyards are calmer and pay more attention to their teachers than children whose schoolyards have few natural elements.
3. Children with ADHD experience significantly fewer symptoms after spending time in nature
4. Children who play regularly in natural environments have more advanced motor skills, such as agility, balance and coordination, and are sick less often
5. Children who play outside have higher levels of vitamin D, which in turn strengthens their bones and immune systems
6. Children who learn how to garden eat more fruit and vegetables and are more likely too keep a healthy lifestyle later in life
7. Children who play outside engage in more imaginative games, interact more and get along better
8. Children whose schools offer outdoor classrooms or other forms of environmental education score higher on standardized tests
9. Children who grow up having regular contact with the natural world are more likely to develop a lifelong love for nature and care to preserve it
10. Children are less likely to engage in bullying when they play in natural environments
11. Children who play in nature score higher on concentration and self-discipline tests
12. Children who are exposed to the natural world develop stronger awareness, reasoning and observation skills
13. Children who play outside suffer less nearsightedness and are less likely to need eyeglasses

Those are the benefits of outside play in a nut shell. So the next time you find yourself telling your own kids that outdoor play is “good for you,” you’ll know why!