Scheduling More Frequent Outdoor Playtime Keeps Kids Active

A 2018 study from Australia examined whether a simple change in how outdoor play is scheduled could help young children be more physically active during the childcare day. Regular movement is essential for healthy growth and development, and childcare settings play an important role in shaping children’s daily activity levels.

The study followed children ages 3 to 6 attending ten childcare centers. Half of the centers adjusted their daily routine to include three separate outdoor free-play periods, each lasting at least 15 minutes and spread throughout the day. The other centers continued their usual practice of offering one longer outdoor play period. Importantly, the total amount of outdoor play time was the same in both groups.

Children wore activity trackers to measure how much time they spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, such as running, climbing or energetic games. After three months, children in centers with multiple outdoor play sessions were more active than those in the control centers. On average, they spent about five additional minutes per day in higher-intensity movement and a greater percentage of their childcare time being physically active.

There were no differences in injury rates between the two groups, and the results were consistent across age and gender. The findings suggest that offering more frequent opportunities for outdoor free play is a practical, low-cost way to help young children move more and develop healthy activity habits early in life.