The Gift Of Free Play

One of the easiest gifts you can give your child is the gift of free play in nature. It may not cost any money, but it does seem that it requires effort these days. There are so many things today vying for our kids' time that oftentimes it requires us as parents to say no to some things to make room for free play. Some kids will go play outside instinctually, but others will need to be sent out. For some, the beginning step may be family activities outside as parents model and instill a love of nature.

Free play, in general, is important for creativity, problem solving, and many other things, but here the focus will be specifically on outdoor free play.  

The Benefits of Nature Free Play

Today’s kids on average spend only 30 minutes outside a day but 7 HOURS on electronics. Let that number sink in. That is not what childhood should be made of! If you think back to your own childhood, likely many of your best memories happened outside. All outdoor activity is beneficial to kids. 

Some of the benefits of having free play outside are:

• Improved motor skills
• Improved muscle strength
• Greater self-awareness
• Appreciation and respect for the environment and a connection with nature
• Improved peer to peer relationships (easier to connect than over a screen)
• Ability to use and appreciate all 5 senses
• Developed sense of independence
• Improved brain development
• Exposure to natural vitamin D
• Increased activity levels
• Opportunities for hands-on learning and problem solving
• Reduced stress levels
• Better sleep rhythms
• Overcoming fears
• Developing risk assessment
• Increased cardiovascular exercise for improved health
• Increased creativity

Obstacles to Outdoor Free Play

There are a few common reasons cited for why kids may not get much free play outside. One of these reasons is lack of available outdoor space. Some families live in apartment buildings and city centers that lack green space. This is a legitimate obstacle, but there are ways around it. Most cities have at least some access to green space, and families in apartment buildings can find a greenspace or playground near them to access. It is worth it for all the benefits provided to the child. 

Another frequent obstacle is the parents' fear. Whether fear of injury or safety, there are many reasons why this impedes children from having free play outside. Some of these fears are warranted, such as if you live in an unsafe community. Of course, as parents we must protect our children’s safety. It may require creativity to find a way for your child to have free play outside, and it may involve some sacrifice on your part. Perhaps you need to set aside some time to be outside with them. Yes, that does make it tricky for them to have “free play,” but there are ways you can be supervising their safety while allowing them freedom to explore and play in nature. However, if you live in a safe place, you can still work towards this freedom for your children. You can start by watching out a window and move to checking on them every few minutes to having walkie talkies, etc. Kids can be very safe playing in their own yards in many different communities. Of course, this is dependent on a child’s age and responsibility. Ask yourself are your fears warranted, or are they interfering with your child’s ability to experience the benefits of free play in nature? Only you can answer that. 

Children today face an obstacle that didn’t exist even 30 years ago and that is electronics. There is no  gentle way to say it; screens are addictive. If you do not understand the science behind why this is true, read the book Glow Kids. It is a must-read for all parents or caregivers for children. When a child spends so much time in front of a screen, involved in fast-moving and exciting activities, the slowness of nature often loses its appeal. The responsibility here really does fall to us as parents to limit our child’s access to electronics and encourage them to experience nature. This may mean that it starts with doing family activities outside before moving towards free play. 

The other most common obstacle is busyness. There are many wonderful opportunities for kids these days, and it’s easy to get caught up thinking our kids need to be in all of them. As the calendar fills, the free time to play decreases. There isn’t a problem with structured activities; just be sure to leave time for free play and creativity as well. 

Suggestions for Outside Activities

Sometimes we need to work toward the outcome we want, and it’s possible that may need to happen here. Your family may need to begin with whole family outdoor activities and move toward free play for the kids. Free play for kids outside is just that, free! We aren’t managing or organizing it as parents, even if we may facilitate it a little to get it going. For that reason, the ideas here are for family activities to work on getting your kids outside. As you move toward free play for your kids, you will not need ideas for them as they will be creatively playing! If spending time outdoors does not come naturally to you and your family, here are a few ideas:

• Start a small backyard garden. You can use planters and pots if you don’t have greenspace. 
• Go for a hike! Know your kids and their limits. Start simple. Bring water and snacks and be prepared to stop often. 
• Make “green hour” a tradition. An hour for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. 
• Go camping! Choose a campground or your backyard.
• Make popcorn and lay outside stargazing or cloud watching.
• Keep a “wonder bowl.” This is a bowl for kids to put all the things they find outside in. It’s a place for them to empty their pockets of treasures. 
• Build a treehouse, lean-to, fort, or hut.
• Build an igloo or snow cave.
• Find a hill and go sledding.
• Keep a nature journal.
• Go on a moth walk. Mix overripe fruit, stale fruit juice, and a sweetener like honey in a blender. Go outside at sunset and spread it on some trees. Come back with a flashlight when it’s dark and see what you lured. 
• Go birding. See what birds you can find locally and what you can learn about them. 
• Read outside.
• Learn a sport or play a sport together.
• Go fishing.
• Learn to track animals. There are lots of guides available to buy.
• Build a campfire and watch the stars.

These are just a few of many ideas for family adventures outside. We would love to hear what you and your kids love to do outside!

Free time in nature will do nothing but good for your child and for you too! The benefits are there for people of all ages. Free play lets children develop their confidence and develop themselves as a person. This summer, make steps to get your children outside more and see the difference it makes!

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our Front Door page that has content on our monthly theme and links to all our content sections.