Playing is super important
In the research ‘Outdoor Play 2022’, children themselves are given the opportunity to speak about playing outdoors. It shows a slight increase in the number and duration of play sessions, but nearly one in six children still never plays outside. Older children in particular are more often found indoors than outdoors, where the tablet beckons and homework needs to be done. It is striking that many children say they would like to play outside more, if they could meet friends there and if activities suited to their age were organized. Precisely the elements that Outdoor Play Day offers.
“Playing outside a lot is not only healthy for children now. It also has a positive impact on their future development,” says Erik Scherder, professor of neuropsychology at VU Amsterdam and ambassador for Jantje Beton. “Physical activity is no longer a normal part of children’s daily lives. This is alarming for several reasons. If we do not get children to play outside more now, we will burden entire generations with mental and physical problems that are directly or indirectly related to the lack of at least one hour of daily physical activity. So make sure our children start playing outside again!”
Outdoor Play Day as in the old days
After two years of COVID restrictions, there is finally a real Outdoor Play Day again today! The official opening took place at the Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen. There, hundreds of children broke the record for the longest hopscotch course in the Netherlands.