Whether it’s splashing in puddles or conquering a woodland trail, outdoor play is far more than just fun. It plays a vital role in your child’s development, especially between the ages of 1 to 6, when independence and confidence begin to form. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, it’s more important than ever to create opportunities for real-world exploration. Time spent outdoors helps balance the passive nature of digital interaction, encouraging physical movement, creativity and deeper engagement with the world around them. According to child development theory, active outdoor play supports physical, emotional and social growth. The Froebelian approach, developed by educational pioneer Friedrich Froebel (the founder of kindergarten), championed nature-based play as essential for building autonomy, imagination and self-esteem. More recently, research has shown that unstructured outdoor play in natural environments helps children develop confidence in decision-making (Fjørtoft, 2001), promotes resilience (Gill, 2007), and encourages healthy risk-taking (Brussoni et al., 2012). In simple terms? Giving your child space to explore outdoors helps them build the kind of confidence that stays with them for life, and they won’t even realise they’re learning. In this blog, we’ll explore five simple outdoor play ideas that not only get your child moving and exploring, but also support their development in meaningful, age-appropriate ways, all while keeping things fun, flexible and full of adventure. 1. Set Off on a Mini Nature Trail Best for ages 2–6 Whether you’re in the countryside or the local park, turn your next walk into a mini adventure. Create a simple checklist of things to spot, like a red leaf, a stick shaped like a Y, or three different types of bird. Let your child take the lead and be in charge of ‘navigating’. It’s a gentle way to build their decision-making skills and encourage curiosity about the natural world. Top tip: Pop a notebook and pencil in their backpack so they can record what they find. Bonus points for doodles! 2. Let Them Lead the Way: The Toddler Trail Game Best for ages 1.5–5 Turn your usual walk into a child-led mini adventure by playing the Toddler Trail Game. Give your child the simple role of ‘trail leader’, where they get to choose which way to go at junctions, what to stop and look at, and how fast or slow to walk. This isn’t just fun, it’s incredibly powerful for building independence and decision-making skills. Research shows that “free play in nature” supports emotional regulation and social confidence (Fjørtoft, 2001), and this low-pressure exploration is a perfect example. If you're nervous about giving them total control, set boundaries ahead of time, like “We’re going to explore the park together, and you can choose which way we go, but we stay on the paths.” That way, they feel trusted within a safe framework. Our range of toddler backpacks with reins allows you to gently give more freedom while staying close enough to help when needed. Want to add more structure? Add a mini mission, like “Find the biggest stick” or “Spot 3 things that are yellow.” This helps guide the play without taking over their choices. 3. Build an Outdoor Obstacle Course Best for ages 2–6 (adapt to ability) Use whatever’s around, like logs to balance on, cones to weave through, and benches to jump off. Not only is this brilliant for gross motor skills and coordination, it also helps kids learn to assess risk in a safe, supervised way. According to outdoor learning specialist Tim Gill, “exposure to managed risks in play boosts self-confidence and decision-making skills” (No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society, 2007). Let them have a go, praise the effort (not just success), and watch their confidence soar. 4. Give Them ‘Jobs’ to Do Best for ages 2–4 Whether it's carrying their own water bottle, choosing the route, or helping set up a picnic, small responsibilities build a big sense of pride. The more involved children feel in their own experience, the more capable they believe themselves to be. This promotes what child development experts call a “growth mindset” which is the belief that abilities can improve with effort (Dweck, 2006). Your child’s backpack can be more than a fashion statement, it can carry their sense of responsibility too. 5. Make It Role Play Ready Best for ages 1.5–5 Outdoor play is the perfect stage for imagination. One moment they’re an explorer discovering new lands, the next a postie delivering ‘letters’ (aka pebbles) to tree stumps. Try linking your outdoor activity to a story or character. They’ll often take the lead and surprise you with their creativity and confidence. Tip: If their backpack looks like a dinosaur, a turtle or a unicorn, it’s even easier to step into the role! A Final Word: Let Them Lead Confidence doesn’t come from always getting things right. It comes from trying, stumbling, trying again, and realising that they can do hard things. Outdoor play is one of the most natural and enjoyable ways for children to build this kind of resilience. So next time you head out, let your little one lead the way (even if it’s the long way round). You might be amazed at what they discover about the world and about themselves. References Brussoni, M. et al. (2015). What is the relationship between risky outdoor play and health in children? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), pp. 6423–6454. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120606423 Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House. Fjørtoft, I. (2001). The natural environment as a playground for children: The impact of outdoor play activities in pre-primary school children. Early Childhood Education Journal, 29(2), pp. 111–117. Gill, T. (2007). No fear: Growing up in a risk averse society. London: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
