How to Get Children Playing Outdoors in 2026!

So here we are again. Christmas is once again “as far away as it will ever be” as my Grandma always says. Father Christmas has packed away his sleigh, kicked off his big black boots and put the kettle on, and the reindeers have gone out to grass to get some well-earned rest!

We hope you have enjoyed the Christmas holiday as much as we have. Actually, with all the build up to Christmas and New Year, December in the UK feels like one big month of indulgence. So many lovely sparkly things out there to enjoy and delicious food and drink to tuck into!

And with the short days and cold wet weather that December brings, it’s far too easy to lock ourselves indoors and sit around on the sofa munching away and watching repeat family movies. According to statistics, the average calorie consumption in the UK on Christmas Day alone is between 5,000 and 7,000 per adult (more than double the recommended intake!).

And no matter how good we are at keeping on top of our children’s diets throughout the rest of the year, it’s almost impossible to keep track of what they actually consume throughout December (nevermind ourselves) especially with all those wonderful parties and selection boxes.

After all that over indulgence it’s no wonder we often find ourselves starting the New Year full of good intentions. Some of us succeed and some of us fail in our new year resolutions, whether we plan to give something up or change our behaviour patterns in some way.

Well here’s a positive resolution that we can ALL make and keep. Instead of giving something up - get outdoors and take up enjoying the open air!

This is something really important that we can do for our children as they are so often exhausted after all the excitement of Christmas. It’s no secret, that early nights and lots of fresh air are wonderful remedies for this. It may be chilly out there - but if they are wrapped up well, nothing is more invigorating than a winter walk in the fresh air!

And this doesn’t just apply to the January blues, it’s important all year round and that is as good a reason as any to make getting our children outdoors a resolution that we stick to throughout the year.

There is a rising level of child obesity in the UK

A huge concern among health professionals at the moment is the rising level of childhood obesity in the UK. The World Health Organisation regards childhood obesity as one of the most serious global public health challenges for the 21st century, and the number of children who are obese has more than tripled in England over the past 25 years.

It's suggested that out of all the children between the ages of 4-5, nearly 11% of them are classified as being obese. This percentage continues to increase, with 22.2% of all children between the ages of 10-11 years old living with obesity.

There is a lot of media coverage on this issue at the moment as it is of such great concern, and we are now well aware of the negative effects that too much sugar, and a lack of general and sufficient exercise, has on our children today.

But the good news is that once they get up and out there, most children absolutely love being in the great outdoors, and it is such good exercise for them. There are so many different activities that they can do, moving and working their bodies in different ways, there really is something for everyone.

And the best form of exercise for children is when they don’t even realise that they are doing it! Moving around and stretching their muscles, they can end up out of breath, but in their eyes, they are just having fun running around and playing games!

Why Outdoor Play Is Important for Children of All Ages

There are endless physical and mental health benefits to spending time outdoors for our little ones, and schools have a really big part to play as they structure outdoor play and activities into daily routines.

Whether at EYFS, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 level, and throughout the curriculum at Special Education Schools, outdoor activities play a key role.

Alarmingly, a briefing from the Office of National Statistics published at the end of 2025, which offers a profile on the latest trends in children’s mental health, shows a significant increase in mental ill health in children in the UK by 11.4% since 2017.

Alongside this, the NHS documented that over 500,000 children in the UK were in active contact with mental health services each month, over the duration of 2025 (with nearly 300,000 more children placed on waiting lists)!

It is well documented that there is a strong correlation between outdoor activities and exercise and lower levels of depression and stress.

This is one of the main reasons why schools for children with Special Educational Needs are continuing to place a lot more emphasis on outdoor recreation and learning through nature.

The Importance of Outdoor Play for SEN

Many children with Special Educational Needs, and particularly those with autism and/or ADHD, regardless of the cause of their condition, often become overly fearful and nervous and suffer from stress.

They are usually in highly structured indoor learning environments for large parts of the day, but they can also benefit greatly from good outdoor experiences. Being outside allows children to be influenced by the flow and pace of nature, seasons and time.

It can have a very calming effect, and we can all enjoy a sense of calm created from an environment where nature is all around us, doing its own thing in its own different and unique ways.

As well as having a calming effect, we know from experience that regular access to fresh air improves a child’s energy levels. Fifteen minute bursts in the fresh air can help to reduce sluggishness and refocus the mind.

This is really important for many children with Special Educational Needs who might need help to adjust their bodies and minds so that they have a better chance of succeeding in the classroom and in daily life activities that they need to perform.

And if we are lucky enough to find that the sunshine is out, well that is enough time to give our children’s bodies a good dose of the necessary daily levels of vitamin D!

Ways to Encourage Children to Enjoy Outdoor Play

Where to get started? Budget blown on Christmas? Nevermind that. Stepping outside is free! Hurrah! Getting your children to wrap up in their cosy hats and scarfs and taking them out for a winter walk is so invigorating. It’s a beautiful time of year to be out and about.

Ok so the days may be colder, shorter and darker, but the crispness of the air and the patterns of the frost making everything sparkle in the low sunlight makes a wonderful feast for little eyes. The novelty of being able to see their own breath and blow steam clouds of their own mouths never seems to wear thin!

After speaking to some parents, here are some fantastic activities that you can do right now with your children to get them in an active mindset for 2026!

Wildlife Adventures

There is plenty of winter wildlife to see and talk about while walking through a local park or the school playing field. Can anyone spot a robin redbreast? Keep an eye out for squirrels collecting food or birds perched on the trees.

You can play hide and seek, tag games, or set up a treasure hunt for natural items like pinecones, leaves, or acorns. Bring along a ball or a skipping rope for extra fun, or encourage children to invent their own outdoor games inspired by the animals they see.

You could also try simple nature challenges, such as spotting as many different birds as possible, listening carefully for winter sounds, or drawing what they notice in a small nature journal. These activities help children explore, learn, and enjoy the fresh air while staying active.

Additionally, such places provide natural obstacle courses with hills and bends and uneven surfaces. Exposure to different landscapes, walking up and down hills, running around trees and climbing over fallen logs, not only provides good cardio and muscular exercise, but helps build up strength, core stability and balance.

Playground Adventures

The playground is a treasure trove of fun and learning for children of all ages. Encourage them to explore every corner, climb, swing, and balance while making up their own games along the way. Simple races or obstacle courses can turn slides and climbing frames into exciting challenges, while a ball or skipping rope adds extra opportunities for movement and teamwork.

Children can also dive into imaginative play, transforming the playground into a castle, jungle, pirate ship, or secret clubhouse. They can create pretend missions, rescue adventures, or invent their own games, developing problem-solving skills and cooperation in the process.

For a playful twist on friendly competition, set up small challenges such as balancing on one foot for the longest time, running between equipment in a certain order, or timing obstacle runs. Scavenger hunts that use the shapes, colours, and features of the playground can make familiar spaces feel new again and encourage children to observe and think creatively.

By mixing physical activity, imagination, and simple challenges, playground adventures keep children active, confident, and engaged while enjoying the fresh air. Every swing, slide, and climbing frame becomes an opportunity for fun, learning, and discovery.

Playground Idea: Nature Treasure Hunt

Encourage children to explore the playground in a new way by creating a nature treasure hunt. Ask them to look for things like a leaf of a certain shape, a smooth stone, or a feather.

You can make it a team activity, giving points for each item found, or turn it into a creative challenge where children collect items to make a small natural collage. This activity keeps children moving, encourages observation skills, and helps them connect with nature even in familiar playground spaces.

Playground Idea: Playground Story Circuits

Turn the playground into a story adventure. Start a tale, and then ask children to act out different parts of it as they move through the equipment.

For example, climbing the ladder could be escaping a dragon, running across the path could be crossing a river, and swinging could be flying through the sky. Children can invent the story themselves or take turns adding new twists. This encourages imagination, physical activity, and cooperative play while keeping everyone engaged and laughing.

Playground Idea: Sound and Movement Games

Bring a playful twist to the playground by combining sound and movement. Children can take turns creating rhythms by clapping, stomping, or tapping different parts of the equipment, while others follow the pattern or move in time to the beat.

You can also play “follow the leader” with music or rhythm challenges, encouraging children to copy movements, jump, spin, or balance. This activity helps develop coordination, listening skills, and teamwork, while adding an extra layer of fun to regular playground play.

Make Outdoor Play a Part of Every Day

Encouraging children to spend time outdoors does not have to be complicated. From wildlife adventures to imaginative playground games, there are countless ways to get children moving, exploring, and learning while having fun in the fresh air.

Even a few minutes of outdoor play each day can boost confidence, creativity, and wellbeing. By making outdoor activities a regular part of your routine, you help children build healthy habits, develop new skills, and create happy memories that last long after the sun goes down.

Remember, the best outdoor play is the one that sparks curiosity, laughter, and discovery for every child.

From everyone here at Pentagon Play, we wish you all a fantastic 2026 and we're excited to be apart of your school, nursery or commercial setting's journey!

If you want to re-vamp your outdoor play area for the New Year, or would like some ideas as to how you can make your outdoor space exciting, inspiring and different, simply Contact Us through the website. If you’d like to explore our website, we have plenty of brilliant outdoor play and exercise equipment suitable for EYFS, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Special Educational Learners. We also have some great ideas to help you encourage your children to engage with the great outdoors.