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Time in Nature is Even Better for Kids Than We Thought

August 16, 2024  |  biodiversity, brain development, environmental affinity, eye health, green schoolyards, greenspace access, gut health, immune function, outdoor play, research findings, skin health, time in nature, youth outdoors
A child squats in dirt and holds up muddy hands

We know that playing outside is beneficial for kids. New research shows that there may be even more positive health effects of time in nature than was previously understood. The mental health impacts of time in nature during childhood should not be understated. Kids who consistently spend time outside have better outcomes around depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue into their adulthoods. In addition to this, there are a range of physical health benefits that scientists are just beginning to understand.

An adult and child stand lookin at water holding fishing poles

For example, researchers believe that being outside helps with healthy eyesight development. While there are many factors that contribute to eye health, including genetics, some common eye conditions might be prevented through access to greenspace. Myopia or shortsightedness, a condition caused by excessive axial growth in the eye, is one of these conditions. Outdoor spaces tend to force kids to look farther into the distance, which strengthens their eyes during vital stages of development. Additionally, exposure to natural light limits axial growth. Some studies also show that growing up in areas rich in greenspace may have beneficial impacts on brain function and cognitive development. These results are preliminary, but they indicate that long-term exposure to natural areas might be a key ingredient for healthy brain growth. Studies like these emphasize the importance of boosting access to local greenspace and reducing inequities that prevent some youth from enjoying parks, greenways, and playgrounds in their neighborhoods.

A child waters plants in a planter

Further, new research indicates that there may be a connection between exposure to biodiverse outdoor areas and the gut health and immune function of children. Scientists analyzed markers of health found in the skin, gut, and blood of daycare children who were encouraged to play in outdoor, biodiverse environments, as well as kids in more traditional daycare environments. They found that the children who were in contact with play areas rich in a variety of plants and soil types had more diverse microbiota on their skin and in their gut. Diverse microbiota indicate a stronger resistance to illnesses and allergens. They also saw related boosts in positive markers of health in plasma and blood.

A child's hands bury plant roots in dirt

The research showed that the gut microbiota of kids who played in green schoolyards and dug in outdoor planters was of similar quality to that of kids who spent time in more remote forests. This is a huge win for boosting accessibility to the benefits of time outdoors. Youth don’t necessarily need to be in wilderness areas, they simply need access to greenspaces in the environments where they already live and play. The issue of access to greenspace isn’t simple of course. Green play areas require financial investments that are feasible for all daycares. Further, in the U.S. many kids don’t attend preschool because of the expense. The findings from this study don’t solve all issues of access, but they do underline how important it is to keep looking for equitable solutions. 

Two kids walk through a creek in rubber boots

Even better, spending time in nature isn’t just good for individual kids. Building a connection to nature through time outside as a child helps boost an affinity for environmental causes that lasts a lifetime. This affinity can be formed through time in urban parks, activities like hunting or fishing, or just time spent relaxing outdoors. Research shows that whatever the activity, some time spent alone or with decreased structure and intervention is an important ingredient for forming a bond with nature. This means that investing in functional, biodiverse outdoor spaces for kids to use not only leads to better mental and physical health outcomes, it also can help support environmental action that benefits us all. That sounds like a worthwhile investment!