Happy New Year 2026!
The beginning of a new year is a natural moment to reflect on what truly supports our wellbeing in everyday life. One of the most powerful, and at the same time simplest, ways to do so is through outdoor movement and play: activities that connect body, mind, and environment. Outdoor play and physical activity are not merely leisure activities or something meant only for children. They are fundamental to learning, wellbeing, and quality of life across the lifespan. Play creates space for exploration, imagination, appropriate risk-taking, and shared meaning-making with others.

Research evidence on the importance of active outdoor play

During the years 2024-2025, I have been involved in a large international research collaboration that resulted in the updated Active Outdoor Play – Position Statement, published in 2025. This work brings together the latest scientific evidence on the importance of active outdoor play across ages and contexts. The key messages from the research are clear:

• active outdoor play supports physical health, reduces sedentary behaviour, and improves sleep
• time spent outdoors benefits mental health, social skills, and creativity
• playful and appropriately challenging activities strengthen resilience, confidence, and learning
• outdoor play also fosters a relationship with nature and sustainable ways of living

At the same time, the research highlights a growing concern: opportunities for free outdoor play are increasingly restricted due to digitalisation, heightened safety concerns, and environmental changes. This calls for conscious pedagogical, societal, and cultural solutions that enable outdoor play and learning for everyone.

Outdoor play and learning in international educational dialogue

In 2025, I have also written about the importance of outdoor learning and playfulness for Italian educators in BRICKS Magazine. My article, Outdoor learning for promoting play and wellbeing, discusses why playful outdoor learning should be integrated into curricula. Playful learning engages learners actively, sparks imagination, and supports learning in a holistic way — cognitively, physically, and socially. Outdoor learning creates space for “what if” thinking, hands-on exploration, and joy, all of which are essential building blocks of meaningful learning.