The importance of outdoor play and learning in the lives of children and communities has never been greater. Growing evidence reveals the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of outdoor activity for children. Despite these benefits, trends toward indoor lifestyles, urbanization, digital entertainment and schooling, and safety concerns have led to a notable decline in...
Thank you to Dr. Richard Larouche, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Lethbridge, for providing this post. Which factors predict outdoor play in Canadian 7- to 12-year-olds? Previous studies and literature reviews have consistently found that children who spend more time outdoors are more physically active and generally have better physical, social, mental, and...
Outdoor Play Canada is looking to hire a full-time Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play (CCOP) Fellow for one year to build capacity and thought-leadership for outdoor play stakeholders. As the CCOP Fellow, your role will be to lead advocacy and thought-leadership initiatives for the promotion of outdoor play in the early years, in collaboration with...
We are recruiting a Project Coordinator to join our Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play research-practice-policy partnership. This role is specifically focused on managing our SPROUT-Able project, exploring how to support children with disabilities in outdoor play and learning in natural spaces! For more details see the job description below: CCOP Project Coordinator Posting December 2025...
Thank you to Dr. Louise de Lannoy, Executive Director, Outdoor Play Canada, and Kim Hiscott, Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Fleck Children's Services, for providing this post. Why play outside when its cold? What are the benefits? The health benefits of outdoor play are clear and wide-reaching… but what about in winter time? Is it safe to play...
Regulating Outdoor and Land-Based Early Learning Programs by Christine Alden, PhD (Program Director, Lawson Foundation) This story was initially published in the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development’s weekly e-newsletter, originally published on October 16, 2025. Children playing outdoors—in nature, on the land—is a beautiful experience that holds many benefits for healthy child development and equity, stewardship...
Outdoor Play Canada is thrilled to share that CSV Architects has been awarded a 2025 Ottawa Urban Design Award—in the Urban Infill category—for their design of Andrew Fleck Children's Services' Forest Explorers building, home of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play! The building was recognized at the November 6, 2025 Ottawa Heritage and Urban Design Award...
Queen’s University invites you to a special online session, led by Dr. Eun-Young Lee, exploring key insights from the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play, with a particular focus on inclusion and mental health. Marking a decade of global evidence, the Position Statement examines the vital connections between active outdoor play and pressing global issues such as...
Dr. Shawnda Morrison gave a presentation on OPC's global 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play to the World Health Organization Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) Europe – Environment working group, which focuses on Environmental Approaches to HEPA in the European region. Dr. Morrison's presentation was titled “The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play: A...
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an opportunity for the public to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, the intergenerational harm they caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those affected by this injustice. This federal holiday is an effort on behalf of the Government of Canada...
