I know what you’re thinking. Do kids really need encouragement to go outside and play?! 

Well…yes! 

Playtime in the real world has dramatically dropped over the decades. A report by Save the Children and OnePoll in 2022 found that just 27% of children said they regularly play outside their homes, compared to almost 80% of their grandparents’ generation. 

Playing in itself has so many benefits. It sparks creativity, stimulates brain development and cognitive growth, builds social skills, and is both good for growth and personal development. 

Combined with playtime outdoors, there’s the added benefits of Vitamin D – a great mood enhancer and children need serotonin for good mental health. 

Mind Marvels’ sessions focus on encouraging children to feel more confident and build up their resilience. Getting outside gives kids variation as well as an opportunity to have a little independence in order to do this, because movement through play is one way they can improve mental wellbeing and self-esteem.

Explore these ideas and watch your child’s connection with nature – and their own mental wellbeing – grow!

Here are five creative ideas to inspire children to play outside and enjoy all the benefits that come with it!

1. Nature Scavenger Hunts

Turn a simple walk into an exciting adventure with a nature scavenger hunt!

Create a list of items that children can find in nature, such as pine cones, colourful leaves, or smooth stones.

You can also add sensory elements to the hunt by including items they can hear, like birds singing or leaves rustling on the ground. This not only encourages exploration but also helps children practise mindfulness by focusing on their surroundings.

Mind Marvels Tip: Tailor the scavenger hunt to different themes, like “Signs of Spring” or “Textures in Nature.” This keeps it fresh and exciting every time you head outdoors!

2. Create an Outdoors Art Gallery

Turn the outdoors into your very own gallery – it’s certainly less stuffy than an indoors one!

Encourage children to gather natural materials like sticks, leaves, flowers, and stones to create their very own nature-inspired art pieces. 

Whether it’s designing leaf collages, building stone towers, or crafting elaborate stick sculptures, these activities allow kids to express themselves while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Once finished, they can set up a mini art gallery (they can even give it a name) in the garden or park to showcase their creations to friends and family.

Mind Marvels Tip: Use chalk to outline frames on the ground, turning the space into a temporary outdoor art exhibit. Let their creativity run wild!

3. Obstacle Courses in the Park

What do you see? A plain green field? Why not transform an ordinary park into a crazy obstacle course inspired by nature!

Use what’s around you, logs, trees, and rocks as part of the course – you could also bring toys from home.

Create physical challenges such as balancing on a fallen tree, hopping from stone to stone, or crawling under low branches. This encourages exercise, problem-solving, and teamwork if done with friends or family.

Mind Marvels Tip: To make it even more fun, time the course and challenge your child to beat their own record, or have them create their own obstacle course to challenge you!

4. Outdoor Storytelling Circles

Storytelling is a powerful tool for opening up the imagination, and doing it outdoors adds an element of magic.

Gather in a circle outside, perhaps around a fire pit (if it’s a bit chilly) or under a shady tree, and let children take turns creating stories.

You can start a story and let them continue it, or pick objects from nature (like a bird or a flower) as story starters. This encourages children to think creatively and build confidence in expressing themselves.

Mind Marvels Tip: Bring along simple props, like a feather or a conker, to inspire even more creative storytelling. Allow the environment to shape the narrative!

5. Tree Climbing Adventures

Some children love a bit of adventure, and tree climbing can give you a bit of an adrenaline rush as you also connect with nature. 

We’re not advocating unsupervised tree climbing, this is best done with an adult present, but it can be a great way for children to learn how to measure risk, using the strategic part of their brain to work out how to climb the branches. They learn how to trust and push the body and it’s such a cool moment once they’re on top! 

Remember to choose safe trees with sturdy branches and let your child enjoy a moment of independence! 

Mind Marvels Tip: Encourage children to look at the view from the tree, spotting birds, insects, or the different patterns in the leaves.

Whether you are on a nature scavenger hunt, creating an outdoors art gallery, storytelling, building an obstacle course or climbing trees, now is your chance to let your child enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. 

At Mind Marvels, we understand the importance of supporting children’s mental health through creative, fun activities. Explore these ideas and watch your child’s connection with nature – and their own mental wellbeing – grow!