If you’re over 40, your happiest childhood memories probably involve being outside, so as a parent, you’ll undoubtedly find modern-day experiences of playing outdoors rather different from those you used to enjoy. Life has changed, with busier families and faster, heavier traffic, for example.

Equally, today’s screen-based entertainment is all about being sedentary and indoors. Moreover, the focus on academic achievements often increases the pressure to stay in the classroom for longer than was the case for previous generations.

However, a significant body of research supports formal and informal open-air learning. The natural world is a multisensory, constantly changing playground. By stepping outside, children come to appreciate nature while understanding that learning happens everywhere; moreover, they develop resilience and confidence.  Interacting with nature also boosts well-being, problem-solving skills, creativity and motivation.

Yet a report by Persil for its ‘Dirt is good’ campaign revealed that almost a fifth (18%) of kids don’t play outside on a typical day. Indeed, three-quarters of our youngsters spend less time outside than prison inmates, according to one 2016 study. I don’t know about you, but I found these statistics rather alarming, and it inspired me to put (virtual) pen to paper and share some suggestions for ways of helping your kids learn in the great outdoors, wherever you live:

• Start simply. Begin on a modest scale – just get outside! Remember the games you played as a child and pass them on.
• Think it through. Sit down and plan how you can spend more time outdoors as a family, whether that’s at an urban farm, beach, park, forest or field. Before starting an activity, consider how your child will benefit from it, assess any risks involved, and how to mitigate or avoid these. Plan any walking routes in advance, and make sure everyone knows what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.