Playing outdoors is great fun and has health benefits for all ages and with studies showing modern toddlers and children spend more time than ever inside the importance of outdoor education and play should be taken seriously by parents and teachers alike.

Play some games

The countryside provides a wealth of free entertainment. Even if you live in a city you won’t have to go far to find some kind of green space. Hide and seek, scavenger hunts and ball games are great opportunities for families to spend time together and everyone can get some exercise without noticing the effort.

All these games can be used to learn as well. Give clues to scavenger hunt games or hunt for types of tree, count with ball games or use treasure maps to guide each other to hiding places. A simple walk in a park or across the local countryside can be filled with opportunities to learn. Identify animals and plants or look out for signs of the season. Everyone learns better if they actually experience things; you are far more likely to remember a bird if you see it flying and hear its song than if you just see a picture.

Make a difference

Most councils, local branches of the National Trust and other such organisations will have a range of projects going on year round that they always need help with. Clearing pathways and ponds or building fences and tracks can be great fun, as well as providing good exercise. You will also be mixing with people who have a great knowledge of the work you are doing and the natural surroundings as a whole, which gives older children an excellent way to chat to experts as well as doing something worthwhile and getting a sense of achievement.

Try a craft

Lots of countryside centres and nature reserves have a visitors centre and hold courses and workshops that let you have a go at all sorts of arts and crafts. Try basket weaving or whittling wood, make your own cider or elderflower cordial by hand using methods that have been around for years and have something to show for your efforts. Have a go at building a kite and see if you can make it fly, or make boats and race them on a stream or pond. With a bit of imagination there is a wealth of possibilities for fun and learning something new.

Bouncing on a playground toyTake some risks

Climbing trees and building forts can make great kids days out. Obviously safety is important but with sensible precautions you can help children build confidence in their abilities. Rock climbing with qualified teachers is a good way to climb in reasonable safety, by doing seemingly risky activities children also learn about assessing dangers and keeping themselves safe. Water sports such as canoeing or even just pond dipping can instil a respect for water safety and learning about animals and plants helps build awareness of the world and its other inhabitants.

Getting some fresh air and having some fun is a great way for families and friends to bond and teachers will find it easy to educate a class of happy children who are enjoying themselves. So, get outside, explore the world, stretch your muscles and learn a thing or two in the process.