Explore
Research
Curated articles, studies, news, and resources on outdoor parenting, nature play, and child development — from sources we trust.
8 resources
Time spent outdoors as an intervention for myopia prevention and control in children
An overview of seven systematic reviews covering 63,920 children showing consistent evidence that time outdoors reduces both the onset and prevalence of myopia.
Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
Jan 24, 2022
The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review
A systematic review of 16 studies finding that unstructured nature play positively impacts physical activity, motor development, creativity, and social-emotional outcomes in young children.
PLOS ONE
Feb 13, 2020
Risky Outdoor Play and Adventure Education in Nature for Child and Adolescent Wellbeing: A Scoping Review
A scoping review of 40 studies showing near-universal positive outcomes for physical, mental, and psychosocial development from nature-based risky play and adventure activities.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Feb 1, 2025
The Role of Timing and Amount of Outdoor Play in Emotional Dysregulation in Preschool Children
A 2024 study of 325 preschoolers finding that midday outdoor play (noon to 6pm) is linked to better emotion regulation, with working memory as a mediating mechanism.
Child: Care, Health and Development
Dec 20, 2024
Nature play in early childhood education: A systematic review and meta ethnography of qualitative research
A qualitative review of children aged 2–8 showing nature-based environments meaningfully enhance play quality, creativity, and cognitive development compared to non-nature settings.
Frontiers in Psychology
Nov 23, 2022
The importance of play in natural environments for children's language development
An exploratory study finding children use richer, more complex language while playing in natural environments compared to traditional playgrounds.
International Journal of Early Years Education
Nov 11, 2022
Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children
A landmark Finnish trial showing that adding forest floor, soil and plants to daycare yards measurably strengthened children's skin, gut microbiome diversity and immune regulation within 28 days.
Science Advances
Oct 14, 2020
Time Outdoors at Specific Ages During Early Childhood and the Risk of Incident Myopia
A longitudinal cohort study of 2,833 children showing that greater time outdoors from age three onwards is associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing myopia later.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Feb 1, 2017