Tag: outdoor play

A backyard play set is a great way to nudge kids to get outdoors and have fun. Before you buy, check out these tips.

As we all navigate COVID-19, active, outdoor play is exactly what our kids need. Here are some tips to help them get outside, get creative, and get messy.

These creative and explorative nature activities will help you and your kids get outside, learn new things, and have fun together.

One activity that’s simple to plan, free, safe, and incredibly beneficial for our kids during this pandemic? Unstructured nature play.

To get kids outside and give them an all-over workout, here’s how you can create your own obstacle course.

The snow is gone, the birds are singing, and my kids are full of energy. Thankfully, spring offers many opportunities for children to get moving outdoors.

Here’s a round-up of our top games and activities that will be a hit with everyone in the family—both grown-ups and kiddos.

Looking for quick and easy activities for kids? Simply print this out, cut it, fold it, and glue it into a cube—then roll for an active challenge.

Even in self-isolation, your kids can keep on learning through play, using active games to keep them moving and learning at home.

In contrast to typical metal or plastic play structures, natural playgrounds are designed to take advantage of landscaping and organic materials.

We’ve all heard the saying—there’s no bad weather, only poor clothing. Here are some tips for dressing appropriately for outdoor play.

These spaces offer valuable opportunities for the development of physical literacy and for experimentation.

The Vivo Play Project gives kids the opportunity to let loose, play freely, and get dirty.

StoryWalk combines storytelling and physical activity by placing laminated pages from picture books in public places.

November 20 marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A growing number of teachers are now starting to look for ways to encourage kids to move more during class time, including taking their classes outdoors.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Nov. 28, 2019. Do you live in a neighbourhood that has a roaming group of children that plays outside with little or no interference from adults? One where the local kids knock on your door to ask your child to come out to play? Kudos if you do. … Continued

Earlier this year, my wife and I wanted to plan an outdoor birthday party for our four-year-old. We decided to organize it at our local beach, Petrie Island, in Ottawa. We contacted Friends of Petrie Island, an organization responsible for educating the public about the importance of nature, preservation, and ecology. It also helps organize … Continued

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and summer is just around the corner. As a parent, you may be feeling “end-of-year stress,” especially when you contemplate the cost of summer camps, family vacations, and other expensive summer activities. To help you keep your budget in check, we asked our AFL role models for ideas for how to spend … Continued

Risky play can be an intimidating concept for parents and caregivers to try to implement with their children. How much risk is too much? How can play remain safe? Dr. Mariana Brussoni recognizes the dilemma. In fact, she’s an expert on the subject. Her research focuses on caregivers’ perceptions of risk and safety when it … Continued

Editor’s note: This post was updated Nov. 5, 2019. Physical education (PE) and gym class are often used as synonyms. It’s an easy mistake to make because, stereotypically, many PE classes are all about playing sports in the gym. But the truth is the gymnasium is only one of the many locations used to teach … Continued

If your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or struggles with focus, you’ll be happy to hear that a simple walk in your local park might be beneficial. CBC News recently reported that a review of hundreds of studies found time spent outdoors can result in improved attention span, self-discipline, and stress reduction. “Researchers also … Continued

Related read: 7 kid-friendly games to play on trail walks and nature hikes   Outdoor programming in our pre-kindergarten classrooms At Edmonton Catholic Schools, physical literacy and outdoor programming are a priority for our 100 Voices children. Physical literacy encompasses physical, cognitive, social, and emotional wellness. At our Genesis School, this is fostered in a … Continued

On a summer afternoon, you might find four-year-olds digging in the mud with sticks while six-year-olds toss stones into a creek and eight-year-olds climb trees or build a fort. Welcome to the Into the Wild nature camp at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alta., where unstructured, child-led, risky play is the name of the … Continued