Do you let your children play in the woods? Free play, running around, swinging from trees and learning through their own mistakes as they stumble or fall over and get up again.
Outdoor play is something that just happened when I was young, we often went off to play a fair distance from our homes, without parents. It’s not so common now and I completely understand that, I am often worried about my kids playing outside and have no idea at what age I would be comfortable with them off playing on their own.
I do, however, believe that outdoor play is just as important now as it always has been, it’s just that we parents are more likely to go with our children whilst they play.
Gross motor play, including; running, rolling, swinging and climbing, is essential for increasing children’s confidence, improved self esteem, releasing stress and frustration and aiding with socialisation from being able to take part in other children’s games.
In a woodland setting there are many opportunities for developing gross motor skills. The possibility to climb trees, roll down slopes, running and hiding in the trees, creating makeshift swings and shelters and even jumping off of trees and logs. All of these things aid their gross motor skill development.
Aside all the gross motor skills development, there is also the possibility for children to develop fine motor skills in a woodland setting. They can pick up small insects they’ve discovered under leaves, peeling off bark to help start a fire, lighting a fire* (if there is somewhere safe to do so), stacking small twigs and stones and making little homes for fairies and elves. There are so many things that can help children develop these skills, which in turn help them to grasp a pencil and learn to draw and write.
Learning about nature, tracking, geography, mathematics, history, the list can go on. There are so many things that we can learn about from identifying beetles in the undergrowth, to counting logs and exploring ruined buildings and walls. A little bit of adventure and a lot of questions can go a long way in helping children understand their world a little better.
Of course there is also the added benefit of being outdoors for health reasons, getting exercise is extremely important if we are to stay fit and well and I don’t know about you, but a day outside in the fresh air always makes me sleep so much better, as do my children (which is always a good thing!).
Do you let your children free play in the woods?
J x
Lucy says
Love this. Hurray for free play in the woods! If my only-just-walking one year old can, so can kids at any age. Though I do wonder at what age I will be ready to let him venture out alone…
Sarah Rooftops says
I really want to. I played unsupervised in the woods near my house and I want the same for my daughter. We even live in a really leafy part of the city but… it’s a really leafy part of the city in the middle of some very dodgy bits and I haven’t ever walked along the river or through the woods without seeing something on the ground that I wouldn’t want a child to touch; every so often muggings appear in the local press. So… I don’t yet know how to approach this… But I know the years are going to fly past and I’ll (we’ll) soon have to make a decision.
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha, yes, I’m very worried about letting him go out on his own, but love letting him run around the woods! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It’s hard when you’re not in the best area. I know we are lucky to live in a good area for walking in and can travel to nearby woods to play. I’m still not sure about when to let them go off to play on their own and then what are the boundaries for play. We used to play near a motorway (there was an old disused railway that made a nice play area), but no-one worried about us running onto the motorway, that would be lunatic! x
Mini Travellers says
Gosh yes it would never occur to me not to let them play like that in the woods, so important, however we are lucky to live near some lovely woods. I always let mine play though even if I am nervous when they start to climb!!
Elizabeth says
I would definitely let my children play in the woods if we had a woods for them to play in! I grew up in the wild forests of Canada, exploring miles and miles from home without getting eaten/killed! I am sad that my children don’t have this opportunity, but we live on a remote island with no forests.
Maddy says
You share my views completely 🙂
It’s also great to let them do these things and take ‘managed risks’, as it teaches them to asses risk and danger themselves, rather that relying on others or signs etc to tell them. They become responsible for their own actions. And hopefully this kind of think can go some way to reversing the ‘blame society’ we are in, where people want to sue if they fall off a cliff because it didn’t have a barrier or sign etc! Anyways, I’ll get off my soapbox now! 😉
Fab blog #whatevertheweather
Baby Isabella says
I’m a bit too young for unsupervised play yet however totally agree with this post! I love roaming around in the woods leading my parents around, searching for fairies and the Gruffalo. Infact this week we went into the deep dark woods…. #whatevertheweather x
Let kids be kids says
I couldn’t agree more. We adore playing in the woods, its our favourite place to be!
Sarah says
We played in the woods behind my house as a child, there were linked to our back garden so we were very lucky. We don’t have a garden of our own, so we go to the woods most weekends, my children are 9, 7 and 4 and I’m not ready for them to go outdoors alone just yet. We allow them to climb trees, swing on ropes, pick up things (we once found a deer skull) and it’s one of our favourite things to do. Sarah #whatevertheweather
Helena says
Oh yes, we love outdoor time! And there’s so much to see and play with in the woods. I hadn’t realised there was so much else going on though, development-wise – I just take them out because they need to have outdoor time!
Joanna @mumbalance says
I couldn’t agree more with you. My best childhood memories are of long (endless!) sunny summers in the country side. As long as there was a forest and water (stream or so) we had plenty to do. And if there were some wild berries nearby we had it all!
As to appropriate age for kids to go off on their own, it is a tough one.
I will never forget my 2-2.5 year old brother (he’s 9 years younger than me) putting on his wellies in the morning while everyone else was asleep and going down the road to an older couple we have befriended as a family. They brought him back when he had done a poo – before anyone had a chance to start worrying. I must add that this was in the middle of Polish mountains (I am Polish), so there were no strange people or cars to worry about.
I would certainly not allow my 2 year old to explore on his own, but I keep on asking myself at what age will I be comfortable for him to play outdoors by himself…
#whatevertheweather
Ruth says
We do go into the woods as much as possible and hopefully more when my youngest can walk. My three year old goes to a forest school one morning a week, and this is the whole ethos behind it. I love it and he loves it more than nursery! #whatevertheweather
Mae @ OutdoorsMom says
Absolutely!!! As much as possible. Even when we can’t make it to the woods, free play outdoors is a must. If my son doesn’t get outdoor time he reminds me it is bad for his body to stay indoors all day. Glad to see all my work to spend time outdoors is paying off.
Christine says
It’s important for older children to play in the woods too. My eldest (13) is too old and too cool for playgrounds now but if we go for a walk in the woods enjoys ‘playing’ again. Great for any age. #whatevertheweather
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) says
Outdoor play is so important in my opinion and we love letting Monkey play in the woods and exploring and loo forward to seeing LM do the same xx
wendy says
Great post, I never really thought about how playing outside could develop so many of my child’s skills. My 2 year old loves playing in the woods, he is too small to climb trees although he does ask. I’m not sure when I will ever feel comfortable letting him outdoors on his own, we’ve got a big, safe&secure garden and I hardly ever leave him out there unsupervised.xx #whatevertheweather
Seychellesmama says
I so agree with all of this! We are so lucky to have an amazing UNESCO world heritage site 5 mins away in the car, a rainforest that’s got designated footpaths in it, we love taking Arthur up there and he loves running around like a wild thing in there. There’s so many amazing benefits to letting kids run around outside and in amongst the trees is definitely one of the best places to be for so many reasons 🙂 X
Tracey Abrahams says
I live in the middle of a forest so there are plenty of oppotunities for kids here to explore the woods, climb and investigate nature. The forestry commission run nature days which helps kids do this is a safe way. They also hold bushtucker style days for them to learn survival skills.
#Picknmix
Chloe says
Love, love, love this!! We love exploring the woods and outdoors in general. Letting Evie be free to explore but also getting to teach her. I’m excited for her to be a bit older so we can start making dens and learning about bugs and plants. But we’ve layed down the foundations by giving her a love of the outdoors. We leave the house every day, whether it’s to explore somewhere new or old or just a simple walk. She’s desperate to be outside and we hope that thirst develops as she gets older. It definitely does have it’s health benefits. I feel incredible after a simple walk with some fresh air. xx
Charlotte says
I couldn’t agree more! we have some great walking trails near us that are wooded but not woods (if that makes sense) I have a terrible sens of direction so it helps us to avoid getting lost whilst still playing outdoors like we are supposed too! 🙂 #MarvMondays
Charlene says
Growing up in London, whilst their were parks, outdoor space was not readily available. My partner grew up with fields and woods close by and his stories make me want to offer some of that experience to my son. As long as he respects nature and his dangers I’ll be all for my son exploring the woods! There’s a forest school local to us, when he’s old enough I hope to send him. #MarvMondays
Coombe Mill says
Well you know where I stand on this, of course playing in the woods is good for kids.
Sarah says
My little ones aren’t quite walking yet so we’ve got a while to go until we’re playing in the woods. For now, it’s woodland walks in the pram! But yes, as they grow up I’m very keen that they play in woods and green spaces – so important to get outside and explore! #Marvmondays
A Cornish Mum says
We love going to the woods 🙂 Simon usually joins in with the tree climbing so that he can tell the boys he’s the best or something along those lines ha 😉
Growing up I had a lot more freedom than my two do, although they do go down to the shop for me and play outside etc the main difference is I grew up in a little town where everyone knew each other.
Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
Stevie x x
Emily says
Hi Jenny, great post! I think its important for children to play freely outside like you say, and for so many good reasons like the ones you mention. We are guilty of not taking our little lady out to play in these areas enough, we always head towards the playground instead of going into the many woods and heaths. I definitely want to make sure we start to do this more often as we are so lucky to have to have these types of areas on our doorsteps! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays
Jenny Eaves says
I know, some people are very happy to let their kids play in an unstructured environment and others are so very worried about getting hurt and dirty! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Lol, yes they don’t have the opportunity in Shetland! But they have other things that non-small islands dwellers can’t do! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Exactly! Children definitely need to work out how to manage risk themselves and not be told all the time, I still hear myself asking them to be careful a lot though! I hate the sueing culture we’re in, yes some things are malpractice etc., but others are just because the person had no common sense! 🙂 X
Jenny Eaves says
Loved your woodland adventure, it looks like you really enjoy exploring the woods! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Mine too! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s interesting that your still not sure yet, I have no idea when my boys can play out on their own. We were allowed when I was 6 or so, but then it was a different time and place. I love all your adventures in the woods! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Hee hee, yes, that’s another big thing, we NEED to get outdoors too. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Yes, I remember going off as a group of friends doing something similar, building dens and having fun. I won’t be letting my 2 year old out on his own boots and go off on his own though, you’re right it was different then and a different place. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great that he gets to go to a forest school, we have a forest nursery nearby, but I would need the car to get there, so we meet with some friends in the woods instead. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Aww, that’s great that he understands why he needs to get outside! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Definitely important for all ages, it’s always cool to play in the woods and even now as adults we love to climb trees! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Great to know how much others love the woods too. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
The outdoors is fab! My one year old is ok out in the garden on his own, but it’s small and we’re only in the kitchen so can hear and see him most the time, it’s hard to know what age is safe though. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Wow! That must be fabulous to have on your doorstep! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
You’re lucky! My husband lived in the woods when he was younger too, spent most of his childhood cycling and walking around the woods. The Forestry commission often has some great events here to. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great that she wants to be outside all the time, that’s where humans are meant to be and it makes our kids so much happier. I’m sure Evie will love building dens and looking for bugs too. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Lol, good to know that you don’t get lost, our woods aren’t too big near here, so not much chance to get lost really. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great! I hope he loves exploring the woods. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
I know you are a big outdoor play person, it’s so important to get outside into nature as much as we can. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
I’m sure they will love it when they’re a little older. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
I think most people find it different nowadays, I was allowed to go quite far with a group of friends, but not so sure how far I’d let me boys go on their own. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! Sometimes it’s just easier to go to the playground, but if they’re on your doorstep it’s fab if you can get out and visit them sometimes too. Thanks for hosting! 🙂 x
Pitter Patter Travelers says
Me too. Our rule is if a path forks they have to wait, but otherwise they run and play as much as they want.
Jenny Eaves says
Great rule! It’s great to let them play around without a worry! 🙂 x
Madi says
Yea but i think its good for them to get hurt, stumble and get back up after