- 163 Fifteenth Avenue, Tauranga 3112
- (07) 577 0458
Young children thrive when they have the freedom to explore the natural world. Research shows that spending time outside isn’t just fun – it supports learning and wellbeing across multiple domains. Outdoor play invites tamariki to investigate science concepts, create social connections and build resilience.
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), taking children outside encourages them to explore scientific ideas and brings early literacy into the mix through picture books and hands-on inquiry. When kaiako respond to children’s questions in nature, play becomes an emergent curriculum filled with acorns, seeds and stories. Outdoor spaces also promote social and emotional growth; they give tamariki a chance to practice problem solving, turn taking and empathy
Physical health is another major benefit of outdoor play. Experts note that time outside helps children build gross motor skills through running, climbing and balancing. Regular outdoor activity is associated with healthier weight and reduced risk of future health issues. Being active outdoors also promotes better sleep; studies of two- to five‑year‑olds found that children who play outdoors sleep more soundly at night, likely due to the combination of physical exertion and exposure to natural light.
For brain development, outdoor environments offer unique learning opportunities that cannot easily be replicated indoors. Children can splash at a water table, build large structures in the sandpit or sort natural objects by colour and size. These experiences support curiosity, problem‑solving and early STEM skills such as engineering and mathematics
At Lilliput Preschool, we make outdoor play an integral part of every day. Our spacious play areas encourage tamariki to run, jump and climb, building physical confidence and coordination. Teachers provide a mix of structured activities – such as group nature hunts or garden projects – alongside unstructured play where children follow their own interests. This balance gives tamariki the freedom to take appropriate risks and learn from their experiences, while always being supported by caring kaiako.
We follow Te Whāriki, Aotearoa’s early learning curriculum, weaving Māori values like kaitiakitanga (guardianship) into our outdoor programme. Activities include planting native trees, exploring local flora and fauna, and practising care for Papatuanuku (Earth). These experiences anchor children to the real world, connecting stories in picture books to the birds, insects and plants they see around them
Make time every day: Encourage at least 30 minutes of child‑led play outdoors. It could be in your backyard, at a park or even on a nature walk.
Dress for the weather: Embrace all seasons by layering clothing and using waterproof gear. Rainy days can be an adventure in puddle jumping and mud play.
Join the play: Show your tamaiti that you value the outdoors too. Pick up leaves together, build sand castles or simply enjoy the fresh air side‑by‑side.
Create simple challenges: Inspire curiosity by asking open‑ended questions like “How many different types of leaves can we find?” or by setting up a sorting game similar to those suggested by NAEYC
Outdoor play is more than just time spent outside; it is a powerful way to nurture children’s physical health, social skills and love of learning. At Lilliput Preschool we are committed to making the most of our beautiful Tauranga surroundings to provide tamariki with rich, nature‑based experiences. By partnering with whānau to prioritise outdoor play both at preschool and at home, we lay a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing and curiosity.
Take a look at our Preschool page for more info on how we take pride in our outdoor play areas
