Encouraging Outdoor Play All Year Long
At Cunningham Recreation, we believe outdoor play shouldn’t stop when the weather changes. Every season offers unique opportunities for kids to move, explore, and connect with nature, from jumping in autumn leaves to building snow forts or splashing in spring puddles. Year-round outdoor play helps children stay active, healthy, and happy no matter the temperature.
Why Outdoor Play Matters
Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical, emotional, and social development. According to UNICEF, outdoor play supports healthy growth, reduces stress, and helps children build creativity and confidence. Even in colder or rainy weather, kids benefit from fresh air, physical movement, and hands-on exploration.
Spending time outside encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and social interaction, skills that serve children for life. Research also shows that children who play outdoors regularly have stronger immune systems and improved concentration.
How to Make Outdoor Play a Year-Round Habit
- Dress for the season. Layering up with boots, hats, and gloves makes outdoor time comfortable in any weather.
- Shift your mindset. Outdoor play isn’t weather-dependent, it’s about embracing the day and making the most of it.
- Mix it up. Combine unstructured fun like climbing, exploring, or imaginative games with planned activities such as scavenger hunts, leaf collecting, or sledding.
- Use what’s around you. Local parks, schoolyards, and community playgrounds all provide opportunities to explore and be active.
- Encourage friends and neighbors to join in. Outdoor play is even better when shared. Organizing seasonal neighborhood events, from park cleanups to snow day games, helps strengthen community bonds and teaches kids that outdoor fun belongs in every season.
Supporting Play in Every Season
Cunningham Recreation designs and builds inclusive playgrounds and outdoor recreation spaces that inspire play year-round. From shaded play areas for summer to durable equipment that stands up to winter weather, our goal is to help communities stay active, healthy, and connected through every season.
Get Outside and Play
Outdoor play builds stronger, happier kids — and stronger communities, too. So put on a jacket, step outside, and make the most of every season. At Cunningham Recreation, we’re proud to help families and communities discover the joy of outdoor play all year long.
Let’s bring your next park or playground project to life. Contact Cunningham Recreation today to get started — together, we’ll design and build an inspiring space where your community can play, connect, and thrive all year long.
