National Play Outside Day Date in the current year: January 4, 2025

Children today spend significantly less time playing outside than their parents did. This decline in outdoor play is caused by a combination of factors, including increased screen time (video games, computers, and gadgets), increased car traffic, safety concerns, closed or poorly maintained public playgrounds, and more. Many adults also don’t spend enough time outdoors due to various responsibilities.

That’s a shame, because outdoor activities have many benefits for children. Playing outside and being in natural environments provides a much-needed break from devices, improves social skills, contributes to physical development and fitness, increases vitamin D levels, helps children connect with nature and experience new things, stimulates their imagination, and more.

Playing and spending time outdoors in general is also great for family bonding. Your children or grandchildren will always remember the quality time you spent with them, and exciting family outdoor activities will help create happy memories that you and your children will cherish for years to come.

National Play Outside Day was founded in 2011 by Rhonda D. Abeyta and Aaron Wiggans. While talking to their close circle of friends, they noticed that kids seemed to be playing outside a lot less than they did a few decades ago – and that adults weren’t enjoying the fresh air as much as they should either because they were too busy with, well, adult life and responsibilities. So they decided to make outdoor play a priority and schedule it every month.

The main purpose of National Play Outside Day is to create a habit of outdoor activity for children, adults, and families. Ideally, you should encourage your children to play outside as much as possible, but at least one day a month dedicated to outdoor play is a good start.

To get started celebrating National Play Outside Day, we suggest making a list of outdoor activities for each season and type of weather, from building snowmen to hiking to jumping in a pile of autumn leaves. On the first Saturday of each month, pick an exciting activity from your list and head outside (dress for the weather first, of course!). If your kids are already in the habit of playing outside, consider reserving National Play Outside Day for special family activities you don’t normally have time for.

Here are some outdoor activity ideas to get you started:

• Play sports – any kind you like.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Explore your neighborhood playgrounds and parks.
• Explore local hiking trails.
• Have a family picnic.
• Go to the beach, lake, or swimming pool.
• Go camping or fishing (or both!).
• Fly a kite.
• Make snow forts and have a snowball fight.
• Go sledding, skiing, or ice skating.

And don’t forget to post about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #NationalPlayOutsideDay to encourage others to get outside and have a good time!