Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its publication, a consortium of experts has updated the Outdoor Play Canada Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play.

Read about the process here.

The story of this document began in 2015, when a group of Canadian experts connected to Outdoor Play Canada, and released the first statement. It quickly became a powerful advocacy tool for the outdoor play movement in Canada.

Now, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that milestone, a new version has been developed based on extensive research on data and trends, resulting in two scientific articles — one on the methodology/process and another on the findings/evidence.

The goal was to broaden the reach of the 2015 statement, update its contents in light of current issues, and reinforce the message that outdoor play is essential at all ages. The Alana Insitutue in Brazil was delighted to take part in this process as a member of the expert group, represented by Bebel Barros, and brought in perspectives from the Global South - also translating the statement into Portuguese.

The 2025 Position Statement highlights the benefits of active outdoor play for people of all cultures, abilities, and communities — and also for the environment and the planet. It shows how research, policy, and practice are interconnected to support and expand active outdoor play.

Download the update

Statement below.

position-statement-on-active-outdoor-play-en.pdf

Download PDF • 2.06MB