ABSTRACT
Outdoor play has many benefits for children. It promotes physical activity, exploration and inquiry, and creates a connection to the natural world. This chapter outlines a simple process for planning an outdoor play environment in supervised centres for the education and care of preschool-aged children. It builds on a philosophy that values outdoor play, nature and children’s engagement with natural environments. When planning an outdoor play environment, many factors need to be considered. The steps are similar whether the project is a new centre, an existing centre in need of a redesign or a small area requiring a facelift. The design of the outdoor play environment should respond to constraints and local conditions, and provide the kinds of outdoor experiences that local children require. Educators can use the outdoor play environment to encourage children to use their bodies, take on and master progressive challenges, and develop physical, social, sensory and psychological skills.
