Outside Play Lab

As kids adapt to boredom, unstructured fun rises again A growing number of American families rethink packed schedules as children show a clear preference for unstructured play. The Harris Poll surveyed more than 500 children ages 8 to 12 across the United...

“When every moment is planned, kids have fewer opportunities to develop emotional control and internal motivation.” www.seattletimes.com/life/food-dr... | Jessica Haggard @seattletimes.com on unstructured play, including our online resource for parents www.outsideplay.org/tool-microsi...

As kids adapt to boredom, unstructured fun rises again A growing number of American families rethink packed schedules as children show a clear preference for unstructured play. The Harris Poll surveyed more than 500 children ages 8 to 12 across the…

@outsideplayubc.bsky.social created a free online tool that helps parents increase children’s outdoor time, supporting the shift from screen-based activities to independent, imaginative play.

via @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - including submissions on outdoor-related work - Atlantic Education Graduate Student Conference 2026 | Deadline: Feb. 27 | bit.ly/AEGSC26

Webinar | Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond Join experts Drs. Megan Zeni and Mariana Brussoni on Thursday, February 5 for an engaging webinar promoting their newly released book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore,...

THIS WEEK! Feb. 5, 3:00PM-4:30PM (PST): Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni lead a webinar as they promote their new book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow | For more info and to register, visit earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...

On the left: an illustration of a parent and child on a swingset. The parent's swing is under the swingset, while the child is sitting on a swing above the structure. On the right: text that reads “Is it dangerous to let kids be free? From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear”

As the world has come to seem scarier, the tech industry has drawn children indoors with vibrant iPad games and an endless stream of YouTube slop. “The offline spaces where kids once congregated have emptied out,” writes Simon Lewsen. https://thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let-kids-be-free/

Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free? | The Walrus From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear

Here's my latest essay for @thewalrus.ca. As a parent, I understand the impulse to protect kids. Danger is real. And on the other side of danger? Unimaginable loss. But safety, I've come to believe, is inversely correlated with freedom—which, for kids, is sacrosanct. thewalrus.ca/is-it-danger...

On the left: an illustration of a parent and child on a swingset. The parent's swing is under the swingset, while the child is sitting on a swing above the structure. On the right: text that reads “Is it dangerous to let kids be free? From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear”

What does it mean to raise independent kids in a culture obsessed with safety? In his latest essay for The Walrus, Simon Lewsen examines the risks, contradictions, and consequences of free-range parenting: https://thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let-kids-be-free/

Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free? | The Walrus From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear

"In an era when young men are disappearing into bedrooms and internet forums, her son remains fascinated by the tactile, physical environment." Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free | Simon Lewsen @thewalrus.ca feat. interview w/Dr. Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social thewalrus.ca/is-it-danger...

Surrey caregivers conference looks at the importance of outdoor play - North Delta Reporter Two-day conference set for Bell Performing Arts Centre Jan. 30-31

Surrey caregivers conference looks at the importance of outdoor play - conference includes Friday keynote by Dr. Mariana Brussoni - northdeltareporter.com/2026/01/23/s...

Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids While the weather is sometimes frightful, it's essential kids still get adequate outdoor play time this winter

Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids www.saltwire.com/newfoundland...

How outdoor classrooms are shaping young minds, from Denmark to Hong Kong Malvern College and International College believe in the power of outdoor learning and growing in nature’s classroom to build curiosity and resilience.

Hong Kong forest schools are embracing ‘risky play’ for children as young as 2 www.scmp.com/special-repo...

Great convo with @mbrussoni.bsky.social 🛝

@bcchresearch.bsky.social

Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni YouTube video by Lauren MacLean

Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni | Teach Outdoors podcast with Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors

Webinar | Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond Join experts Drs. Megan Zeni and Mariana Brussoni on Thursday, February 5 for an engaging webinar promoting their newly released book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore,...

UPCOMING WEBINAR by Drs. Mariana Brussoni & Megan Zeni, in promotion of their new book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn and Grow!

Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Feb. 5 | 3-4:30PM (PST) | Via Zoom
To register: earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...

Could Lego’s new ‘smart bricks’ take away chances for kids to be imaginative? | CBC News Lego has unveiled new high-tech “smart bricks” it says will bring its classic toys to life with lights, sound and interactive movement. But one expert on early learning says the innovation may lessen ...

“It's just kind of limiting children's options in terms of how their imagination can shape their play.” Dr. Mariana Brussoni, in #CBCNews article by Sarah Petz:

Lego unveils new ‘smart bricks’ with interactive lights and sounds www.cbc.ca/news/busines... @mbrussoni.bsky.social

Kindergarteners in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development at the highest rates ever recorded in the province. The finding is contained in new research from t... TikTok video by CBC British Columbia

"Kindergarteners in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development at the highest rates ever recorded in the province." www.tiktok.com/@cbcbritishc...

New article! Social-ecological correlates of children's outdoor playtime and their interaction with gender: a nat'l longitudinal study | By Richard Larouche, Robert T. Duffy, Kristian Larsen, Mathieu Belanger, Mariana Brussoni, Guy Faulkner, Katie Gunnell & Mark S. Tremblay doi.org/10.1016/j.en...

Is your neighbourhood playable? New website breaks it down - UBC News UBC researchers have created Canada’s first playability index, revealing how neighbourhoods support—or hinder—children’s outdoor play. Explore what makes a city playable and why urban planners need to...

Is your neighbourhood playable? New website breaks it down news.ubc.ca/2025/12/is-y... | Interview with Dr. Emily Gemmell @ubcpublichealth.bsky.social via UBC News

This publication is one of the manuscripts from Rachel Ramsden's dissertation work on children’s play behaviour at early learning and child care centres in the Greater Vancouver region, as part of our PROmoting Early Childhood Outside study www.outsideplay.org/research/pro...

Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour Early learning and child care centres are critical settings to support children’s regular, repeated and quality time spent in outdoor play. Gibson’s theory of affordances highlights the importance of ...

New publication!
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour | By R. Ramsden, I. Pike, S. Thorne, M. Brussoni journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds University of British Columbia research shows young children doing worse in almost every category compared to pre-pandemic levels

More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds | @theglobeandmail.com [subscription required to view] - w/ research from UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...

Green Schoolyard Lecture Series — Green Schoolyards America The Green Schoolyard Lecture Series discusses emerging topics and provides guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Sessions feature presentations by...

Embracing Risky Schoolyard Play for Exploration, Learning, and Growth - Dr. Mariana Brussoni's online session from Nov. 6th, the third in the Green Schoolyard Lecture Series www.greenschoolyards.org/green-school...

New! Cdn research on measuring how friendly neighbourhoods are for kids' play:
Development and application of a geospatial index of urban playability for young children | Emily Gemmell, A. Cavenaugh, M. Brussoni, M. Guhn, F. Andrade-Rivas, I. Imon, M. Brauer www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Thank you for your interest and taking the time to write! I've forwarded your comment to the authors

Our Lab's Rachel Ramsden is one of the 2026 Children The Heart of The Matter Conference panelists!

Conference will be held Jan 30 & 31, with sessions centred around the theme Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and Our Connection to the Land.

www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the...

Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow - Outdoor Learning School & Store NEW RELEASE! Pre-orders Available Anticipated shipping date: End of January Children are naturally drawn to risky play—taking physical chances, seeking excitement, and satisfying curiosity—and are mor...

NEW RELEASE! Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni's book, Embracing Risky Play at School, is now available to pre-order! Scheduled release date: Jan. 2026
If you're in Canada, visit: outdoorlearning.com/product/embr...
For US and other international orders, visit: www.tcpress.com/embracing-ri...

Adventurous play the new normal as kids take to 'risky' new equipment 'Cliff riders' have sparked concern among some community members, but 20 have been installed across the country in an effort to help children learn through risk-taking.

[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

🎉 It’s here 🎉

The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play is officially live!

Packed with new insights, sector-specific recommendations, and grounded in 9 key themes, this updated Statement is your go-to guide for supporting active outdoor play for all! 🌿

www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/

How can active outdoor play build a better planet? With its 2025 position statement on active outdoor play, Outdoor Play Canada envisions a world in which play builds healthier, more resilient communities.

How can active outdoor play build a better planet? -- Active For Life looks at the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play activeforlife.com/outdoor-play... @outdoorplayca.bsky.social

Move over, helicopter parents. Try being a lifeguard parent instead A lifeguard parent sits on the sidelines, ready to dive in if necessary – but otherwise, they stay out of the way

Move over, helicopter parents. Try being a lifeguard parent instead - by Katherine Martinko, for @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/life/advice/...