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The health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor play

Blog
Nicola Parker
13 Apr 2026

At a time when mental health issues amongst children are significantly increasing, one of the positives we can take from the past twelve months is that there is now a greater focus on being outside than ever before.

So why is being outside so good for children’s health and wellbeing? Below are just some of the benefits associated with spending time in the great outdoors:

Provides a break from the everyday

Time spent in nature provides children with the opportunity to switch off and give their brains a well-earned respite from the demands of every-day life. Allowing children time to play will help them burn off energy and improve their overall ability to focus and concentrate. The outdoors presents them with a different and exciting environment where they can have fun, letting their imaginations run wild, and offering an escape from reality.

Furthermore, research consistently highlights the positive effects of natural spaces to stimulate curiosity, foster problem-solving skills, and encourage self-directed learning - all vital outcomes for early years education. When children engage freely with open-ended materials outdoors, they explore, investigate and develop critical thinking abilities in ways that are often constrained indoors.

It tops up their vitamin D

This important vitamin is crucial for a healthy body and mind and one of the best natural sources is the sun. Vitamin D increases the production of serotonin, which is essential for stabilising our mood and is linked to positive feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Serotonin also affects our brains and nervous system, aiding cognitive development and improving memory and concentration.

Furthermore, regular exposure to daylight supports children’s natural circadian rhythms, which is fundamental for healthy sleep patterns and emotional regulation. Ensuring that children spend time outdoors allows them to safely absorb sunlight, contributing to bone development, immune function, and overall growth.

Lowers anxiety and stress

As well encouraging an active lifestyle, exercise releases chemicals that help us to regulate our mental health. Participation in just ten minutes of physical activity can have a significant impact on the psychological and emotional wellbeing of children by boosting self-esteem, lowering anxiety, and reducing stress levels. The outdoor environment is the perfect place to encourage and engage children in physical activity.

Providing a range of different equipment and making it easily accessible will facilitate physical activity, supporting regular movement and active play. This not only helps children to develop key physical skills such as balance, coordination and strength, but it also brings social and emotional benefits too.

Helps support emotional and social development

Playing outside offers children a chance to explore and process emotions and feelings in a situation that they can control. The increased space also lends itself well to group activities which provide opportunities to practice empathy and develop an understanding of others. The open space of outdoor environments also naturally encourages collaborative and group activities, helping children to develop key social skills such as turn-taking, cooperation and communication.

Using resources like these Jumbo Emotions Stones, which are suitable for use in mud, sand or water can further enhance this learning. These tactile resources provide natural prompts for discussion, role play and reflection, good for starting conversations and help children express and identify their own emotions and those of others.

Can calm and sooth

Having an area in your outside space that allows children to connect with nature and explore different types of plants can often have a soothing and calming effect on children. Creating a sensory garden area featuring plants known for their calming properties such as lavender or rosemary will provide a quiet and safe space for them to take time out to process how they are feeling – you could even use child safe gardening tools and equipment to get them engaged and involved in the process.

Looking to embrace the outdoors in your setting? We have everything you need from mud kitchens to storage sheds – click here to browse our forest school and outdoor learning products.

Or maybe you’re looking for mental wellbeing and mindfulness resources for little learners? We’ve picked our best products from our early years range – click here to browse.

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Author

Nicola Parker

Category Buyer for Early Years

YPO