Q&A: Mind & Body Benefits of Outdoor Play with LAURA POLITTE, MD
October 9, 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children spend 60 minutes daily working their large muscles. Laura Politte, MD, outpatient medical director of WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital, agrees with that and also wants families to know that the benefits of time spent exploring and playing freely outside go far beyond physical health and can significantly improve mental health.
Why is time outside important for health and well-being?
There are many benefits to time outdoors! Besides getting vitamin D from sun exposure, outdoor light is a natural mood booster. We also tend to be more curious and physically active outdoors, which are important for physical and mental health.
North Carolina has more than 200 Environmental Education Centers with outdoor experiences for the public. Visit eenorthcarolina.org to plan your adventure and explore nature up close.
“Everyone needs a healthy dose of outdoor time and the freedom to explore and let their mind and bodies wander."
How do kids benefit from simply being outside?
The sights, sounds and smells of nature have natural grounding benefits that can help get us out of our heads and feel more present in our bodies, leading to less stress and anxiety. There is a sense of awe and wonder that we get from being in a beautiful natural setting that is so helpful for putting everyday problems into perspective.
Being active together outdoors with your kids is a great way to connect and help the whole family de-stress. It doesn’t have to be complicated – whether you take a hike, explore a park, have fun at a playground or just throw a ball around — the key is fitting in that daily activity.
When kids are idle and use screens instead of actively playing outside, what are they missing out on developmentally?
Active time outdoors helps children develop and build fine and gross motor skills. Being outside also helps teach kids to enjoy less stimulating activities — to just exist without being directly entertained, which is important for developing
attention, concentration and perseverance.
I tell my patients that video games and online content are designed to be addictive. They’re highly stimulating (think flashing lights, rapid movements, fast-paced delivery) and hard to stop. When we over-rely on electronics for entertainment, we lose the opportunity to develop creativity, connect with others, and incorporate physical movement into play.
Natural Skill-Building for Kids
When kids explore outdoors, they learn to interact with the world while enhancing physical capabilities and developing essential skills.
“Prioritizing outdoor time for kids gives them natural opportunities to build and refine various skills,” says Dr. Politte.
Consider the popular childhood activity of climbing trees. Kids use their hands, feet, bodies and minds to reach new heights. This type of activity not only helps fine-tune motor skills but can also help with proprioception development, which is the awareness of your body’s position and movement that influences how kids move, balance, interact with their environment, and even regulate emotions.
As kids explore and play freely, they push, pull, tumble, build, lift and participate in a variety of movements that enhance coordination and get their hearts pumping. They also learn to assess risks, create plans and take action.
Dr. Politte explains that when kids face challenges during play, they learn to problem solve, overcome hurdles, experience success and build confidence — all while experiencing a range of emotions and processing their feelings.
“Kids need the freedom to run, jump swing and navigate uneven surfaces and new places,” says Dr. Politte. “By observing kids at play, parents can witness their skill-building while also assessing and responding to risks in a supportive way when there are serious dangers or when an activity or level of risk is not age appropriate.”
Remember to keep the focus on fun and join in the adventure sometimes, especially if the kid(s) invite you to participate — you never know what you will accomplish together
How does spending free time exploring the outdoors help children?
Many studies show that being outside is a natural way to calm anxiety and boost mood, especially settings that involve running water such as creeks and rivers. Kids are naturally curious and creative and outdoor settings offer a multitude of outlets for these gifts. From caterpillar houses to mud pies factories and games of hide and seek, nature provides kids with an endless supply of free play. Creativity, curiosity, and ingenuity are critical life skills that aren’t easily taught in a classroom, and unstructured play is a great way to develop these. And, it’s cost-free.
This article is adapted from Families First. Subscribe here.