The Importance of Balancing Indoor and Outdoor Play for Kids

Children love playtime! Play is not just fun but a fundamental right recognised by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child1. But parents these days struggle to balance screen time with active play, whether indoors or outside. Both indoor and outdoor play help your child grow. Indoor play sparks creativity, while outdoor play builds strength and confidence. In this blog, we will be analysing the unique advantages of indoor and outdoor play and help you find the right balance of both. 

What is Indoor play

The games and activities that children do within the safety of their home or any other confined space are called Indoor play. One of the benefits of indoor play is that it allows parents to fit into their busy schedules. Parents can easily supervise and keep their children closer and safer during indoor play. This makes indoor play in early childhood especially helpful.

Benefits of Indoor play

Indoor play areas are becoming increasingly common, and they provide children with socialising opportunities. Let us look at the benefits of indoor play.

• Problem-solving skills 

Playing Games and puzzles are some of the best indoor games. They help children think critically, improving their cognitive abilities. 

 

• Spatial awareness

Activities like building blocks for kids and puzzles help children understand space, shape and distance.

 

• Creativity and language development

Drawing, arts and crafts for kids, or telling stories can help kids become more creative. It also improves their vocabulary during indoor play.

• Emotional and social development

Children learn how to share with their siblings and friends. They learn to cooperate and manage emotions under various situations.

• Safe expression

The safe indoor setting encourages children to express their feelings freely. There are no distractions or risks compared to outdoor play. This lets ideas and creativity flow freely.

What is Outdoor play

Outdoor play is games and activities kids do outside. It could be in open spaces like parks, playgrounds, or backyards. These activities often involve physical movement, exploration, and interaction with nature. While 71% of parents have played outdoors in their childhood, only 27% of their children do the same. [Research by Gray (2011)2]. This change emphasises the importance of encouraging outdoor activities in children.

Benefits of playing outdoor games

So, why should we play outdoor games? Outdoor play offers opportunities to grow physically, socially and emotionally, making it essential for a child’s development. Let us look at some of the benefits of outdoor play.

• Mastering new skills

Kid's outdoor play environment gives many new opportunities to them. They learn new skills like climbing and balancing. Playing with toys like remote cars for kids improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

 

• Social interactions

Group activities and team sports help children to learn cooperation, communication and conflict resolution. For example, a toy gun can lead to imaginative group play, like a game of police and thieves. Kids outdoor play is essential for learning social skills, cooperation, turn-taking, and strategy-building.

• Nature exposure

Children who play outdoors value nature as they turn grownups.  They feel more connected to nature. Sun exposure also gives them Vitamin D for healthy bones. Even while riding a toy car on the lawn, the fresh air and nature bring them the benefits of outdoor play.

 

• Physical exercise

Outdoor play areas in preschools are designed to promote physical activity. Running, jumping, climbing and other outdoor activities strengthen muscles. The benefits of outdoor play in preschool also include improving endurance in children and healthy growth and development.

• Motor skills development

Outdoor play improves coordination, balance and motor abilities — one of the greatest benefits of playing outdoor games. 

Finding the Ideal Balance Between Indoor and Outdoor Play

Is outdoor play better than indoor play? 

The simple answer is No. 

Both indoor play and outdoor play in early childhood are important for a child’s development. They complement each other. While indoor play allows children to explore creativity and imagination, outdoor play boosts their physical health and connects them with nature. To strike a balance, you must ensure that children have access to indoor and outdoor play environments. Keep them interested and get involved yourself in their play.

Conclusion

There’s no one right way to play. One day your child might want to stay indoors doing some calming craft activities, and the next day, they might want to play outside. Both indoor and outdoor play are important, so make sure that your child has time for both. A mix of indoor and outdoor play​ in early childhood helps a well-rounded child’s development. A healthy mix of both can offer your child the best of both worlds.

Snooplay’s children's toys online can help you find the right toys to keep them interested both indoors and outdoors.

FAQ

Why is indoor and outdoor play important in children?

A healthy balance of  Indoor and outdoor play contributes to a child’s overall development. So both are important.

What are some indoor activities in the rainy season?

Arts and crafts, floor puzzles, building blocks and board games are some great options for indoor play on rainy days.

How much outdoor time is too much?

Aim for one hour of outdoor play each day. Any amount of time is always better than no amount of time.

What are examples of indoor and outdoor activities?

Puzzles, arts and crafts, building blocks etc are indoor activities while cycling, skipping rope and nature walking are some outdoor games to play with kids.

Why should we play outdoor games?

Outdoor games are important for children’s physical fitness and social growth. They improve motor skills, encourage teamwork and reduce health risks.