Kids and adults benefit from spending time outdoors

INDIANA – Summer is here! The days are warmer, longer, and for most kids, a little more carefree. And to the delight of many parents and guardians, kids have more opportunities to be outside.

It is hard to think of anything better for your mind and body than spending time outdoors. Currently, however, many kids are spending more time inside on electronics. Adults need to encourage them to spend time outdoors.

According to the University of California, Davis, numerous benefits are associated with children spending adequate time outdoors, including improved mental and physical health, enhanced cognitive development, reduced stress, and increased environmental awareness. Many studies have found that just spending an hour a day outside can reduce depression and anxiety.

Spending time outdoors is also essential for very young children. It can improve gross motor skills, social skills, cognitive development, and creativity. It gets kids moving, creating stimulation, while making them think.

Physical health is one of the most obvious benefits of spending time outdoors. Outdoor play encourages movement, whether it be running, jumping, or climbing. These activities help children develop strong muscles and bones, improve cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy weight. Sunlight exposure also helps the body produce vitamin D, a crucial nutrient for maintaining bone health and supporting immune function.

Mental and emotional health are also enhanced by spending time outdoors. Outdoor environments reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of attention deficit disorders, offering a calming effect that regulates emotions and boosts mood and energy levels.

Outdoor time also fosters children’s cognitive development. Unstructured play stimulates curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. When kids build and explore, they are engaging in active learning that can’t be replicated in a classroom or on a screen.

Outdoor play can also provide opportunities for collaboration and communication. When children play with others, it helps them build their vocabulary and social skills. Outdoor play offers more freedom and self-direction, enabling children to build confidence and independence.

In addition to all these developmental benefits, being outside is simply fun and fulfilling for children. Climbing a tree, splashing in a creek, or flying a kite brings joy and a sense of adventure that is hard to match indoors. 

Encouraging outdoor play is one of the most effective ways to support our children’s overall health and development. There are endless opportunities and ideas for spending time outside with your little ones, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Some examples include a hike in the woods, a scavenger hunt, or a game of tag in the yard. Time outdoors nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, helping children grow into healthier, happier, and more well-rounded individuals.

Adults can also be good role models for children. Let’s all put those electronics away and get outside!

Maggie Robertson, MSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at North Daviess Jr-Sr High School in Daviess County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals, primarily master’s-level social workers, as well as prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel, to 126 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 53,000 youth and families are served annually by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs, which promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.