Outdoor Risky Play Boosts Children's Wellbeing and Resilience

Amidst a youth mental health crisis, with a fifth of English children aged 8-16 showing probable mental disorders in 2023, outdoor risky play emerges as a crucial intervention. Activities like climbing trees and building rafts empower children, fostering decisiveness and independence. Research indicates a 23% increase in wellbeing and a 36% rise in resilience among teenagers after outdoor adventure education. Forest schools, offering hands-on learning in woodland environments, and longer residential trips further enhance children's connection with nature, social skills, and autonomy. However, the benefits of risky outdoor play necessitate frequent and progressive engagement throughout a child's education. Despite calls for increased access to nature and outdoor activities, progress remains slow. A shift in educational priorities is needed to recognize the value of outdoor risky play and integrate it into school curricula, fostering a culture of educated risk-taking to bolster children's wellbeing and resilience.