Playing Out is a UK-based organisation aimed at restoring children’s freedom to "play out" where they live, tackling traffic danger and other barriers. Started by parents in Bristol, England in 2009, the resident-led ‘temporary play street’ model is now followed by street communities across the UK and around the world. This simple model involves neighbours...
PHE Canada has developed a robust resource of physical education activities to support children and youth in getting active both at home and in school. The activities are focused on promoting physical competencies surrounding the themes of 'move', 'think', 'feel', and 'act'. Activities are categorized according to grade level (K-3, 4-6, 7-12) and are downloadable...
Schoolyards Count, produced by Kelly Gallagher-Mackay (Wilfrid Laurier University), Christine Corso (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), and Tammy Shubat (Ophea), reports on the quality of schoolyards across Ontario using data from citizen scientists. The report provides a review of why schoolyards matter for the health and wellbeing of students, a review of the gaps...
In May 2021, an online Stakeholder Survey was developed, in both English and French, to solicit review and comment from the Canadian outdoor play sector on the nine outdoor play priorities and associated actions identified by a 63-person Consultation Group as part of the Outdoor Play in Canada: 2021 State of the Sector Report. View the...
Frontier College Summer Reading Tents is a partnership with community groups across Canada to inspire and nurture a love of reading among children. This play-based learning initiative is held during the summer months and involves story time, a movement-based and/or arts-based activity, and ends with each participant receiving a free book of their choice to...
Girl Gone Good provides insight and resources for trails in the Ottawa region and beyond, including an extensive library of trail guides, suggested itineraries (e.g., insight into local towns and cafes close to trails), a trail finder map, and resources on how to be a responsible and safe hiker. They also have a series of...
Okanagan College is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation's Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. Their project, entitled 'Outdoor Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education: From Colleges to Communities' aims to shift post-secondary ECE programs towards incorporating the outdoors in their pedagogy. Faculty at three post-secondary ECE programs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick will increase...
The Trottibus is a walking school bus project initiated by the Canadian Cancer Society to help elementary school children walk to school together in the morning, accompanied by parents and volunteers. The program aims to promote physical activity among children, parents, and volunteers, all while reducing car traffic around schools. Just like with a school...
Child Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC)'s online resource portal Thrive Outside now includes a Teacher's Guidebook for bringing learning outside. This resource includes a number of strategies, tips, and ideas, including how to meet your curriculum in the outdoors, document learning in play, proposing outdoor learning to your administration, and more! Check out the guidebook here. Read...
This winter (and eventually, spring), the City of Calgary is continuing its self-directed, drop-in program that uses natural elements such as snow, tree stumps, tree cookies, branches, twigs and rocks to inspire active and creative outdoor play, and connect people, young and old, to nature, with onsite play ambassadors to inspire play. Parents are encouraged...
