🌦️ The Benefits of Outdoor Play — Rain or Shine
Overview:
Discover why playing outside is essential for children — whatever the weather. Learn how playing outside supports health, confidence, and imagination – with links to research, practical tips for parents and carers, and Mudder Earth nature playdates in South London & Croydon.
The amount of time children spend outside has declined by 50% in a generation – Raising the Nation. With days getting shorter and greyer it’s easy to opt for indoors, yet the benefits of playing outside are numerous…
🧠 1. Outdoor Play Builds Strong Bodies and Minds
Outdoor play is more than just fun — it’s vital for healthy growth. Whether they’re running, climbing, or jumping in puddles, children develop coordination, strength, and confidence through movement. Wet and cold weather bring extra sensory experiences and challenges to conquer.
Evidence shows outdoor play improves physical fitness, emotional regulation, and mental wellbeing (OPAL Evidence on Benefits).
🎨 2. Outdoor Play Inspires Creativity and Curiosity
You don’t need an instagram-able forest to enjoy nature — we’re so lucky to have great wooded parks in South London & Croydon, which offer endless opportunities for discovery. A stick becomes a wand, a leaf becomes a crown, and a rainy day becomes an adventure.
At Mudder Earth’s weekly playdates for children aged 1-7 and their families we make art with our nature finds & recycled materials – leaf rub bugs, printing with natural dyes, jar lanterns, butterfly puppet play…experimenting with the rain’s effect on watercolours is a favourite!
Outdoor environments encourage creativity and problem-solving, skills that develop naturally when children are free to explore (Fawns – 7 Benefits of Outdoor Play).
We spark children’s curiosity with invitations to create, but always leave things open to follow their imagination. A playstation-controller made of pinecones, clay & twine? Success!
💪 3. Playing Outside Builds Resilience and Confidence
As a Forest Schooler, I live by the mantra that there’s no such thing as bad weather — only the wrong clothing! Waterproofs, wellies with extra socks, or sturdy boots, and cosy layers help children explore safely in ALL seasons.
Check out my video on how I dress my toddler to play outside on the coldest of days
Outdoor play in varied conditions builds resilience and independence, teaching children to adapt and persevere even when it’s cold or muddy (PGL – Why Outdoor Play Is Important).
🌿 4. Connecting to Nature and All-Age Community in London’s suburbs
For our city children, outdoor play fosters a sense of belonging and connection. Feeding ducks at SoNo Lakes, spotting the first daffodils in Grangewood Park and the first Blackberries in the Glade, or playing under autumn trees links our children to their local community and the natural world more broadly.
I love to welcome regular families to Mudder Earth and see the friendships grow. Our wide age-range (up to 7ish) means children also have the opportunity to learn from and support each other – it’s only really in school – and some baby & toddler classes – that you’re only with people exactly your own age, after all. A toddler learning leaf-printing from a 4 year old, or a 6 year old reading the butterfly species names to the group warms my heart and enhances everyone’s learning.
Research in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity shows that outdoor play builds social skills, trust, and empathy (IJBNPA Study).
🧣 5. Practical Tips for Parents & Carers — Outdoor Play in All Weathers
A few simple habits can help families make outdoor time part of daily life — even on rainy days:
- Dress for the weather – that includes YOU too: Waterproofs and wellies or snowboots. Layers keep us warm and dry. Find out how I dress my own toddler on the coldest days in this short video…
- Claim our local nature spots: Many of our green spaces are under-loved yet lovely in South London and Croydon – blog upcoming on my favourite local gems!
- Follow their lead: We encourage children to move freely across our activity stations and the nature-created play spaces at Mudder Earth
- Build a routine: Ten minutes outside each day adds up. A weekly session at Mudder Earth means you’ll get 1.5h outside adventure – and silences the inner-critic when you retreat to a cosy pub or sofa afterwards on chilly days!
- Role model joy and wonder – whatever the weather. Even I have to dig deep for “Wow, look how thick the spider’s legs are!” But little things – like joining in on puddle jumping, or remarking on the magic sparkle of frost – sets up little minds to take a lifelong wonder in the outdoors all year
🌈 Let’s Make Every Day an Outdoor Day
So next time the rain clouds gather, zip up those waterproofs and step outside. Your child’s body, mind, and spirit will thank you — rain or shine.
Book your next Mudder Earth playdate at Happity.co.uk/Mudder-Earth
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