Building Strong Bodies and Brave Minds: Gross Motor Benefits of Outdoor Play

From an occupational therapy perspective, gross motor development lays the foundation for almost every other area of functioning—emotional regulation, academic readiness, and even self-esteem.

When children run, jump, climb, or balance outdoors, they’re developing postural control, core strength, coordination, and bilateral integration. These are not just physical milestones—they are the tools children use to sit upright at a desk, catch a ball in a group game, or maintain focus in a busy classroom.

Nature provides natural challenges: uneven ground, slopes, tree roots, and logs to balance on. These unpredictable environments promote adaptive responses and enhance problem-solving and risk assessment.

Outdoor play invites movement in all planes, unlike indoor spaces which are often restricted and flat. It helps build a body that is resilient, strong, and confident—skills that carry over into everyday life.