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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Sep 9

One Community’s Experiment With a Phone-Free Childhood time.com/7314325/bala...

One Community's Experiment With a Phone-Free Childhood

The Balance Project, a parent-run movement, works to encourage childhood independence and get kids off screens

time.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Sep 8

Thanks for sharing!

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Sep 5

⁠Are Playgrounds Too Safe? The Benefits of Risky Play, interview w/our Lab's Rachel Ramsden - E.19, Screen Less Play More podcast: screenlessplaymore.com

Rachel reflects on her PhD research, interviewing young kids about playing outside and what we can learn from children about playground design.

- Raising balanced, thriving, kids in the digital age.

Raising balanced, thriving, kids in the digital age.

screenlessplaymore.com

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Reposted by Outside Play Lab

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Sep 5

Important research underlining the many ways in which local authority policy making marginalises space for play (house building, finance, austerity, post-covid, Brexit, focus on physical activity, etc.)

But some hope that “thoughtful planning” can work.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

UK children face barriers to outdoor play due to poor planning, says study

‘Fragmented’ policies leading councils to prioritise approval of housebuilding over parks, researchers find

www.theguardian.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Sep 3

2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play will be released Sept. 25 - marking 10 years since the original statement!

2025 Statement is global in scope & highlights benefits of active outdoor play for all cultures, abilities, communities, and the environment. www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 28

*JOB POSTING: Let Grow is currently looking for a bilingual (English/French) Canadian School Account Manager to act as a point of contact for schools across Canada, playing a key role in shaping their presence in Canada and supporting schools in implementing Let Grow programs.
letgrow.org/careers/

Careers at Let Grow

At Let Grow, we are passionate about fostering independence, resilience, and creativity in children. Learn about joining our team.

letgrow.org

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Sarah Watkins @minilebowski.bsky.social · Aug 13

Exciting book post! First look at a hard copy of the book I wrote with Zoe Sills. #eyfs #riskyplay #edusky

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 22

"Kids who learn to trust their instincts, pause before reacting and rely on trusted adults are better prepared to navigate both the playground and the online world with confidence and care." www.huffpost.com/entry/teachi...

'Stranger Danger' Doesn't Cut It Anymore For Kids. Here's Why, According To Safety Experts.

Kids need situational awareness — from crossing the street to navigating the internet. But many parents don't know how to teach it.

www.huffpost.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 20

Rachel Ramsden's upcoming presentations on outdoor play in Canadian early learning & child care centres - including our cross-Canada survey and study focused on children's perspectives on outdoor, risky play.

At the 2025 Breath of Fresh Air Summit | Ottawa, ON
🗓 Sept 25-27 outdoorplaysummit.ca

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Michael Martin @mic-martin.bsky.social · Jul 16

‘How to give children the freedom to #play across the city - not just in playgrounds’

My article in @uk.theconversation.com

#Play creates dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, & meaningful participation in #urbanspaces – if only we let it happen

theconversation.com/how-to-give-...

How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Play should be promoted in cities to bolster children’s right to play anywhere.

theconversation.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 20

New instant print kids camera from myFirst inspires outdoor play: “We wanted to create something that motivates kids to step outside and see the world through their own eyes. This camera makes every moment an adventure worth capturing.”

www.digitaljournal.com/business/new...

New instant print kids camera from myFirst inspires outdoor play

Debuting at CES 2025, the world’s largest consumer technology showcase, myFirst has launched the Camera Insta 20 instant print kids camera. Designed for children ages 5 to 12, this lightweight device lets kids snap photos and print them in better quality and quicker than ever—without messy ink cartridges. With built-in frames, filters, and sticker-printing options, it’s made to inspire outdoor exploration, storytelling, and hands-on creativity.

www.digitaljournal.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 19

"To enjoy the rewards of play, you have to take risks, but adults are often too consumed by self-consciousness to run with someone’s silly idea, let alone suggest one." | 'What Adults Forget About Friendship' By Rhaina Cohen, for The Atlantic getpocket.com/explore/item...

What Adults Forget About Friendship

Just catching up can feel stale. Playing and wasting time together like kids do is how you make memories.

getpocket.com

Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 14

We're excited to be taking part in the upcoming 2025 Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit, taking place at the Ottawa Forest and Nature School & Wesley Clover Parks Campground, Sept 25-27! outdoorplaysummit.ca

Home - Breath Of Fresh Air | Outdoor Play Summit

Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit Days Hours Minutes Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit At the Ottawa Forest and Nature School & Wesley Clover Parks Campground September 25-27th, 2025 Regis...

outdoorplaysummit.ca

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Reposted by Outside Play Lab

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Aug 13

The number of children injured or killed by cars while walking or riding a bike has fallen steadily since the 1970s, but CDC researcher note that this decline is not because streets are safer, but because fewer kids are out and about in the first place.

Kids need freedom. Dangerous roads make it hard to grant it.

Bigger cars, distracted drivers and worried parents mean fewer kids are roaming freely.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 11

"So the apparently frivolous work around play and joy is really critical right now, so that we can start coming together again." Interview with Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, founders of the Montreal-based design studio Daily tous les jours www.azuremagazine.com/article/ever...

Everyday Enchantments: In Conversation with Daily tous les jours

Daily tous les jours co-founders Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat reflect on 15 years of delightfully unconventional design practice.

www.azuremagazine.com

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Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre (ECCRC) @eccrc-msvu.bsky.social · Aug 11

The @outsideplayubc.bsky.social has a resource page that covers topics such as outdoor play, playground designs, children's independence, risky play, and more!

You can find infographics, books, podcasts, radio interviews and other resources related to outdoor play.

www.outsideplay.org/resources

Resources

www.outsideplay.org

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 11

Thanks very much for the mention, @eccrc-msvu.bsky.social !

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Reposted by Outside Play Lab

Atkinson Centre @atkinsoncentre.bsky.social · Jul 29

Our kids’ recess at school is essential to well-being and learning — and shouldn’t be scaled back
theconversation.com/our-kids-rec...
#Play #ECinCanada @theconversation.com

Our kids’ recess at school is essential to well-being and learning — and shouldn’t be scaled back

Time to play, move, connect with peers and breathe is a vital part of learning and essential to academic motivation.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Outside Play Lab

Gerben Helleman @gerbenhelleman.bsky.social · Aug 9

Risky play is defined as thrilling and exciting activities. It's a type of play where #children test their limits, explore boundaries, and develop valuable skills like risk assessment, problem-solving, and resilience.
#publicspace
#outdoorplay
#riskyplay

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 6

You can also access the article via www.yahoo.com/news/article...

What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones

Children who were raised on screens need more freedom out in the real world.

www.yahoo.com

Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Aug 6

What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv... | By Lenore Skenazy, Zach Rausch & Jonathan Haidt
👉 Plus, what adults can do - article mentions our online tool helping parents support outdoor play ✨ www.outsideplay.org/tool-microsi...

What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones

Children who were raised on screens need more freedom out in the real world.

www.theatlantic.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Jul 31

Sounds like your children's early opportunities to do 'dangerous things' continued to serve them well as they got older...

Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Jul 30

"Part of the school’s philosophy is about risk-taking as a fundamental part of creating confidence." Principal Richard Messina | In @novakovicto.bsky.social 's article on the outdoor play space at Toronto's Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study www.designlinesmagazine.com/sara-jackman...

This Innovative Playground Balances Risk and Reward

Sara Jackman Playground announces itself with a colourful medley of interactive elements along the Jackman Institute of Child Study.

www.designlinesmagazine.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Jul 29

Mariana Brussoni, talking to @infobae.bsky.social (Argentina) about importance of children's risky play: “El juego arriesgado fortalece la autoestima y la tolerancia a la frustración en los chicos” www.infobae.com/educacion/20... @mbrussoni.bsky.social

Mariana Brussoni: “El juego arriesgado fortalece la autoestima y la tolerancia a la frustración en los chicos”

Frente al mandato de la supervisión adulta constante, la especialista de la Universidad de Columbia Británica (Canadá) defiende los juegos que implican cierto riesgo físico e incertidumbre. Asegura qu...

www.infobae.com

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · Jul 22

Outdoor play and learning in elementary schools (K-7) | Tedstyle Talk by Megan Zeni @roomtoplay.bsky.social - as part of Take Me Outside National Outdoor Learning Conference 2025 www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tae...

Megan Zeni - Tedstyle Talks - National Outdoor Learning Conference 2025

YouTube video by Take Me Outside

www.youtube.com

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