UK children begin unsupervised outdoor play nearly a year later than their parents did, survey shows
Researchers have found that children are now nearly 11 when they first start playing outdoors without supervision. That's more than a year older than their parents' generation, with parents reporting they played outdoors at age 9.
A new study has found that UK children typically begin playing outdoors unsupervised at around 10.8 years old, nearly a year later than their parents did at age 9.7. This generational gap in independent outdoor play has been revealed by the launch of the Outdoor Play Research Center at Exeter University. Professor Helen Dodd, the center's director, emphasized that this delay means many children are missing out on valuable experiences and potential health benefits associated with outdoor play.
The research, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 UK parents and caregivers, highlights factors such as a lack of suitable play spaces, increased screen time, road safety concerns, and changing social norms as contributing to the delay in children's outdoor play. The center aims to conduct scientific research and work with organizations to improve children's independent outdoor play, recognizing its link to better mental health, physical activity, and overall well-being.
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