Children are Playing Outside Less and Less

Play Benefits

21 Aug 2025

Playing outside is great for children’s development

In today’s world, children are playing outside far less than previous generations, and it’s raising important questions about their well-being. UK charity The National Trust found that children now spend just over four hours per week outdoors—nearly half as much as their parents did at the same age (8.2 hours). Even more concerning, 10% of survey respondents hadn’t visited a park, forest, or beach in over a year.

This trend isn’t unique to the UK. Recent Australian research highlights similar issues, revealing a significant decline in outdoor playtime. One study found that 1 in 4 children under 16 spend less than two hours per week playing outdoors, far below recommended levels (AIFS resource). At the same time, screen time is on the rise, with many children exceeding daily limits for digital device use.

Why the decline in outdoor play?

Several factors contribute to this shift:

Safety concerns: Many parents worry about neighbourhood safety and a lack of secure outdoor play spaces.
Time pressures: Busy family schedules and increased work commitments often leave little time for unstructured play.
Technology: The pull of digital entertainment can be hard to resist, keeping children indoors for longer periods.
Supervision needs: Some families feel a strong need to supervise children, reducing opportunities for independent outdoor play closely.
Urban living: Higher-density housing often means smaller backyards and fewer local green spaces.

What are the impacts?

Reduced outdoor time impacts children on several levels:

Development: Outdoor play is essential for physical coordination, creativity, social skills, and emotional learning.

Physical health: Declining activity increases the risks of obesity and related health concerns.

Mental well-being: Lack of nature exposure can affect mood, increase stress, and diminish resilience (PMC article).

How can we support more outdoor play?

Raise awareness: Help parents and caregivers understand the unique benefits of outdoor play for growth and lifelong well-being.
Create safe spaces: Invest in quality playgrounds, parks, and green spaces that invite children out to play.
Promote outdoor activities: Encourage family outings, school programs, and community events that embrace outdoor fun.
Balance screen time: Set healthy limits and build time outdoors into everyday routines.
Role modelling: When parents, educators, and communities embrace outdoor recreation, children are more likely to follow suit.

At adventure+, we’re passionate about creating playgrounds that are not only safe and durable but also spark imagination and foster community connection. We collaborate with landscape architects, schools, and local councils to design spaces that make outdoor play irresistible. Let’s work together to inspire the next generation to explore, play, and thrive outside.