Outdoor play

As a generation we are spending more and more time indoors and on screens in some sort of capacity. Our children are typically growing up in a very tech heavy indoor world, which of course has it’s time and place. However, it’s important and essential to remember that being outdoors and connected with nature is vital for our baby’s development, wellbeing and health. This starts from birth and should be prioritised throughout childhood. Many parents can think of simple ways to get older children outside more, for example, trips to run around at the park, however there are lots of ways we can get our babies outside being playful more too!

Outdoor play can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. The simplest way to do this is by taking your baby for daily walks in their pram. Make sure they are facing you and use it as an opportunity for playful interactions. Talk or sing to your baby as you’re pushing along and maintain eye contact with them. You may like to play games like peekaboo and also label and describe what you can see around you as you walk. For example, ‘Wow look at the tall trees’. Pause for moments to really look at the nature around and let your baby soak it in.

This brings me onto the sensory benefits of being outdoors with your baby. Nature is full of textures, sights and sounds that will stimulate your baby’s cognitive and motor skills. It’s a sensory haven without any setting up! If you’ve taken your baby on a walk and mentioned the tall trees, why not stand under them and let your baby listen to the noises of the leaves rustling or branches swaying in the wind.

Another great way to get your baby playing outside is to take an activity you would usually do indoors, outdoors. Read a book together in the shade under a tree, set up a treasure basket to explore on a blanket or simply lie your baby down on a mat and let their legs kick on the grass. When your baby is starting to move and crawl, take their socks off so they can feel the sensory textures from different natural surfaces such as sand or grass.

The outdoors is the perfect place for baby play that may create a bit of mess! Why not make some baby safe paints and let your baby explore with these outside. Mix together some natural yogurt and a tiny dash of food colouring to create paints to play with.

Or you could make bubble foam and blow the foam for your little one to watch it float and land. Here is a recipe for bubble foam: Put bubble bath and water in a bowl and add a few drops of food colouring if desired. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture into a foam. Scoop the foam into a tray or box and play!

I love creating a sensory path for babies to explore and play with outdoors. You can incorporate both natural items found around you with items from indoors too.

Always ensure that the environment outside is suitable and secure and that of course your baby is always being supervised (especially as we don’t want them to be putting inappropriate things in their mouths). You may need to consider appropriate clothing for the season too, such as sun hats or puddle suits.

Time spent outdoors will help your baby’s health, emotional development and cognitive development. It really is a win-win!