The South Shore Active Communities has developed this infographic on the Adult Role in Outdoor Play, which includes key guidance statements from experts including Outdoor Play Canada's Leadership Group member, Dr. Mariana Brussoni. This work is part of a larger effort to build capacity and understanding about the value and role of Outdoor Play for healthy...
Thinking about loose parts in school, produced by Play Wales, is an information sheet intended for practitioners in the education sector to learn about the use of loose parts during playtime and in the classroom. The information sheet includes a table on types and examples of loose parts, a summary of research interventions using loose parts...
Nature Companion is a free app and website produced by EcoFriendly Sask that provides interesting and easy-to-understand information about >300 plants, trees, birds, animals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians found in Canada's four western provinces. Each short description includes colourful photographs and a Did you know? section with fun facts about each species. The tool is available on...
The Great Trail of Canada has released their 2019-2020 Annual Report, highlighting the many projects and successes across the country including increased accessibility, expansion of greenways, and support for Indigenous-led projects. Read the full report here....
This winter (and eventually, spring), the City of Calgary is continuing its self-directed, drop-in program that uses natural elements such as snow, tree stumps, tree cookies, branches, twigs and rocks to inspire active and creative outdoor play, and connect people, young and old, to nature, with onsite play ambassadors to inspire play. Parents are encouraged...
The Raising Canada Reports are published annually and provide an in-depth review of the top 10 threats to childhood. In 2020, the report focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these threats. In subsequent reports, the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on children's physical activity and play have continued to be a central theme...
Can I go outside? Is it even safe for me to go outside? Many people may assume they should stay indoors, when in fact, they should stay apart. This can be readily, and responsibly done in the outdoors, while benefiting from its many health promoting features....
The Child and Nature Network (C&NN) Nature Play Infographic highlights the many benefits of spending time in nature and provides suggestions on how to promote environmental stewardship. The link to the original infographic can be found here. Additional C&NN research on the benefits of nature can be found here....
Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada has released a National Position Statement on Recess that calls for educators, administrators, and district officials to consider a new approach to recess in schools across Canada, and provides supporting information to do so. In the Statement, the authors outline the importance of recess for children's social well-being, immediate and...
Between 2016 and 2018, EcoKids worked with 6 school communities in the Toronto District School Board to implement the OPAL pilot program. The Transform Lab, led by Dr. Raktim Mitra, Associate Professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Ryerson University, evaluated that pilot project. The researchers found that the OPAL program led...
