The benefits for children when they play outside is astronomical. Children learn so much when outside, more than we realize. Their little bodies are developing and strengthening in ways we are just beginning to grasp.
Is your child easily angered? Does your child have 'excessive' energy?
Allowing your child time outside will help to alleviate these.
Here are 8 Things Children Learn When Playing Outside
1. Children are developing and strengthening their gross motor abilities.
Hopping, skipping, biking, climbing, swinging, running, throwing, and walking are all types of gross motor activities children develop and strengthen when outside. This also helps to develop their spatial awareness (that's where things are in relation to their bodies); if a child seems clumsy, this is the sense they need to develop. Core strength is also being developed. This helps children to sit in a chair and walk upright. And a child's sense of Balance comes from this too!
2. Children develop and strengthen their fine motor abilities.
Grasping, and pinching are examples of this. And I don't mean pinching another child or siblings. The pinching movement is a one or two finger (with the thumb) movement we use when picking up a small object, like a bug, or plucking a flower. This is the first step in developing the skills required for using scissors.
3. Children are learning creativity and imagination.
Children learn creativity and imagination when playing outside. A stick can become all sorts of things a child can play. This is representation, and this helps to develop creativity. Think back to when you played outside.
4. Children are building their sensory input.
Children learn by their senses. We all do. And when we are outside, our senses can take in, develop and begin to make sense of the world around us. Smell the flowers and fresh air. Hear the birds and bugs. Feel the grass and leaves under foot.
5. Children are developing their risk-taking ability.
This means climbing and all sorts of activities we as parents tend to say "Stop, that's dangerous". However, children need to learn to take risks. This will benefit them in the future by allowing them to learn new skills, be adventurous and help develop our self-esteem.
6. Children are naturally strengthening their immune system.
By playing in the dirt, mud and sunshine, children are actually developing their immune system naturally. Vitamin D (naturally made in our bodies by being in the sun) strengthens our immune system. Playing in the mud and dirt allows the body to learn how to naturally fight off the bacteria and germs that live outside.
7. Children are developing inner regulation tools.
Inner regulation includes how to handle stress, and emotions. It's how a child learns to calm themselves when they are in a stressful or emotional situation. Playing outside, has been scientifically proven to help children develop inner regulation tools.
8. Children develop and strengthen their social skills. 
What is it about being outside that makes people more social? When you take a walk, you say hi to people you meet. If you were in the grocery store, do we do the same? Being outside connects people, and children are no different. They meet 'new friends' at the park for spontaneous games of tag or racing. Being outside invites children to play with others in a 'non threatening' way.
