You must enable JavaScript to view this website.

Health, Wellbeing & Development

Outdoor Play Canada is proud to support the Outdoor Learning Store's (free!) Spring Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshops!   There is something for every educator at these 60min virtual workshops featuring a diversity of presenters and topics. In addition to ideas & inspiration, you’ll walk away with a certificate of attendance, discounts on outdoor learning resources & entry...

A growing number of organizations, including ours, are addressing the importance of outdoor learning. Outdoor Play Canada is proud to support Take Me Outside's Outdoor Learning Resource Hub, a living document and comprehensive guide that highlights outdoor learning organizations throughout the country. Regardless of your experience or expertise in outdoor learning, you can explore this directory...

On Thursday March 30th at 20:00 GMT, the International Journal of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity Early Childhood Education Special Interest Group (ISBNPA ECE SIG) is hosting a webinar entitled: 'Outdoor and Nature Play: A Global Look at Research Policy & Practice'. This 75-minute webinar will include a discussion from international experts currently working in the...

Thank you to Emily Gemmell, PhD Candidate at the University of British Columbia, for providing this guest post. “Ananda,” Mrs. Murry said thoughtfully. “That rings some kind of bell.” “It’s Sanskrit,” Charles Wallace said. Meg asked, “Does it mean anything?” “That joy in existence without which the universe will fall apart and collapse.” “That’s a mighty big name for one...

Thank you to Dr. Louise de Lannoy, Research Manager at Outdoor Play Canada, for providing this guest post.  The 2015 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play highlighted the unequivocal benefits of outdoor play for children’s physical, mental, emotional, social and environmental health, well-being and development. The Position Statement invigorated the outdoor play sector, bringing together many...

Nature Play and Get Outside & Play have teamed up to host the Outdoor Play in the Early Years 2023 Conference! Be inspired to be outside with children in a way that honours their creativity, curiosity, and learning with 28 different sessions from passionate educators. Most sessions will be outdoors where you can directly experience play...

Thank you for Dr. Richard Larouche, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Lethbridge,  for providing this post. Outdoor Play Canada was founded shortly after the release of the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play, which stated that "Access to active play in nature and outdoors-with its risks-is essential for healthy child development. We...

Thank you to Dr. Michelle EE Bauer, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, for providing this post.  Most children enjoy playing outdoors with their friends and other peers. Children typically play with other peers they feel comfortable and safe around and those who bring the most excitement and joy to them during their...