From the earliest months of life, babies thrive when given opportunities to experience the outdoors. Nature is not just a backdrop for play—it is a living classroom that nurtures physical strength, sensory exploration, emotional growth, and a deep sense of connection to the world. Outdoor play allows babies to move freely, discover textures, sounds, and sights, and begin forming bonds with their environment and the people around them.

For educators and families, planning outdoor play is about more than simply “taking babies outside.” It involves creating safe, stimulating spaces where babies can grasp, crawl, listen, and wonder. By offering open-ended materials, natural objects, and opportunities for social interaction, adults can scaffold experiences that support babies’ holistic development.

This guide explores outdoor play through the lens of Belonging, Being and Becoming—three dimensions that highlight how babies grow physically, emotionally, and socially in nature. Alongside practical strategies and safety considerations, it provides inspiration for educators and caregivers to design meaningful outdoor experiences that foster joy, resilience, and a lifelong respect for the environment.

Bounce Cards are designed for OSHC Educators to go with you, wherever your OSHC children play and to share ideas to encourage your children to be active every day.

Outdoor play is enjoyable for children and important for their growth and development.

On Thursday 21 May 2020, is Outdoor Classroom Day, a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor play and learning.

Outdoor Classroom Day on 7th November celebrates and inspires play and learning outside the classroom. It gives Teachers, Educators and Children an opportunity to spend the day learning outside. On the day, thousands of schools and early learning services around the world take lessons outdoors and prioritise playtime.

On Thursday 19 May Educators, Teachers and Children have the opportunity to try learning outside the classroom as we celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day. Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play. On the day, thousands of schools around the world take lessons outdoors and prioritise playtime.