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Outdoor Play

Children having fun in a playground.Outdoor play involves children engaging in physical activities and exploration in outdoor environments. These resources highlight the importance of playing outside and its impact on children's growth and development. Find strategies for creating safe and stimulating outdoor spaces to maximize children’s learning.  

Learn how to incorporate interaction and connection to the natural world through nature-based learning.

Conclusion

Working together, program leaders, staff, and families can offer rich learning opportunities that support infant and toddler development and build a foundation for engaging with and learning from nature.

References

Review the reference materials used to develop Supporting Outdoor Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers, Technical Assistance Paper No. 14.

Access to the Outdoor Play Space

Learn ways to address access to outdoor play spaces for infants and toddlers. Diapering and handwashing are also addressed.

Barriers and Pathways

Barriers and pathways define spaces for different experiences and direct the flow of traffic between them. Find ideas for creating protective barriers in infant and toddler outdoor play spaces.

Vegetation

Learn about creating gardens in outdoor play spaces for infants and toddlers. Find other considerations for selecting grass, trees, plants, and flowers.

Hills

Explore hills as part of an outdoor play space for infants and toddlers.

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