Third of children do not play outdoors after school, UK research finds

"The University of Exeter study looked at data from 2,500 children between sevenand 12 from the multiethnic Born in Bradford research programme, which tracks the health, development and wellbeing of mothers and children from pregnancy onwards. Based on information from questionnaires completed by the children's parents, researchers measured the social-emotional skills of the children using the total difficulties score, a screening tool that can help identify potential behavioural or emotional issues in children and young people."

"Researchers found outdoor play had a positive effect on children's social-emotional skills, meaning they were better able to understand, manage and express their emotions and behaviours, as well as interact with the world around them and build relationships. The study, funded by the Medical Research Council and due to be published in the Wellbeing, Space & Society journal, also uncovered different patterns of outdoor play based on ethnicity."

Data from 2,500 children aged sevenand 12 in the multiethnic Born in Bradford programme were analysed, tracking health, development and wellbeing from pregnancy onwards. One in three children do not play outdoors after school and one fifth do not play outdoors at the weekend. Outdoor play had a positive effect on children's social-emotional skills, improving their ability to understand, manage and express emotions and behaviours and to interact and build relationships. Patterns of outdoor play varied by ethnicity, with white British children playing outside more on school days and south Asian children playing more on weekends. Children in less deprived communities gained greater benefits, possibly reflecting outdoor space quality. Declines in outdoor play are linked to obesity, anxiety and depression, prompting calls for play-friendly residential design and safer urban environments.

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