Outside Play Lab
@outsideplayubc.bsky.social
We study children's outdoor #RiskyPlay & #InjuryPrevention. We're a team of researchers, led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni (@mbrussoni.bsky.social), based at The University of British Columbia & BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. www.outsideplay.org
Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids www.saltwire.com/newfoundland...
Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids
While the weather is sometimes frightful, it's essential kids still get adequate outdoor play time this winter
www.saltwire.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids www.saltwire.com/newfoundland...
Hong Kong forest schools are embracing ‘risky play’ for children as young as 2 www.scmp.com/special-repo...
How outdoor classrooms are shaping young minds, from Denmark to Hong Kong
Malvern College and International College believe in the power of outdoor learning and growing in nature’s classroom to build curiosity and resilience.
www.scmp.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Hong Kong forest schools are embracing ‘risky play’ for children as young as 2 www.scmp.com/special-repo...
Reposted by Outside Play Lab
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni | Teach Outdoors podcast with Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni
YouTube video by Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni | Teach Outdoors podcast with Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni
YouTube video by Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni | Teach Outdoors podcast with Lauren MacLean
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAX2... via www.youtube.com/@TeachOutdoors
UPCOMING WEBINAR by Drs. Mariana Brussoni & Megan Zeni, in promotion of their new book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn and Grow!
Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Feb. 5 | 3-4:30PM (PST) | Via Zoom
To register: earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...
Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Feb. 5 | 3-4:30PM (PST) | Via Zoom
To register: earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...
Webinar | Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Join experts Drs. Megan Zeni and Mariana Brussoni on Thursday, February 5 for an engaging webinar promoting their newly released book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore,...
earlylearning.ubc.ca
January 9, 2026 at 6:55 PM
UPCOMING WEBINAR by Drs. Mariana Brussoni & Megan Zeni, in promotion of their new book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn and Grow!
Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Feb. 5 | 3-4:30PM (PST) | Via Zoom
To register: earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...
Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond
Feb. 5 | 3-4:30PM (PST) | Via Zoom
To register: earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...
“It's just kind of limiting children's options in terms of how their imagination can shape their play.” Dr. Mariana Brussoni, in #CBCNews article by Sarah Petz:
Lego unveils new ‘smart bricks’ with interactive lights and sounds www.cbc.ca/news/busines... @mbrussoni.bsky.social
Lego unveils new ‘smart bricks’ with interactive lights and sounds www.cbc.ca/news/busines... @mbrussoni.bsky.social
Could Lego’s new ‘smart bricks’ take away chances for kids to be imaginative? | CBC News
Lego has unveiled new high-tech “smart bricks” it says will bring its classic toys to life with lights, sound and interactive movement. But one expert on early learning says the innovation may lessen ...
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
“It's just kind of limiting children's options in terms of how their imagination can shape their play.” Dr. Mariana Brussoni, in #CBCNews article by Sarah Petz:
Lego unveils new ‘smart bricks’ with interactive lights and sounds www.cbc.ca/news/busines... @mbrussoni.bsky.social
Lego unveils new ‘smart bricks’ with interactive lights and sounds www.cbc.ca/news/busines... @mbrussoni.bsky.social
"Kindergarteners in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development at the highest rates ever recorded in the province." www.tiktok.com/@cbcbritishc...
Kindergarteners in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development at the highest rates ever recorded in the province. The finding is contained in new research from t...
TikTok video by CBC British Columbia
www.tiktok.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Kindergarteners in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development at the highest rates ever recorded in the province." www.tiktok.com/@cbcbritishc...
New article! Social-ecological correlates of children's outdoor playtime and their interaction with gender: a nat'l longitudinal study | By Richard Larouche, Robert T. Duffy, Kristian Larsen, Mathieu Belanger, Mariana Brussoni, Guy Faulkner, Katie Gunnell & Mark S. Tremblay doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
Redirecting
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
New article! Social-ecological correlates of children's outdoor playtime and their interaction with gender: a nat'l longitudinal study | By Richard Larouche, Robert T. Duffy, Kristian Larsen, Mathieu Belanger, Mariana Brussoni, Guy Faulkner, Katie Gunnell & Mark S. Tremblay doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
Is your neighbourhood playable? New website breaks it down news.ubc.ca/2025/12/is-y... | Interview with Dr. Emily Gemmell @ubcpublichealth.bsky.social via UBC News
Is your neighbourhood playable? New website breaks it down - UBC News
UBC researchers have created Canada’s first playability index, revealing how neighbourhoods support—or hinder—children’s outdoor play. Explore what makes a city playable and why urban planners need to...
news.ubc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Is your neighbourhood playable? New website breaks it down news.ubc.ca/2025/12/is-y... | Interview with Dr. Emily Gemmell @ubcpublichealth.bsky.social via UBC News
New publication!
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour | By R. Ramsden, I. Pike, S. Thorne, M. Brussoni journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour | By R. Ramsden, I. Pike, S. Thorne, M. Brussoni journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour
Early learning and child care centres are critical settings to support children’s regular, repeated and quality time spent in outdoor play. Gibson’s theory of affordances highlights the importance of ...
journals.plos.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:59 PM
New publication!
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour | By R. Ramsden, I. Pike, S. Thorne, M. Brussoni journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour | By R. Ramsden, I. Pike, S. Thorne, M. Brussoni journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds | @theglobeandmail.com [subscription required to view] - w/ research from UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds
University of British Columbia research shows young children doing worse in almost every category compared to pre-pandemic levels
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:13 PM
More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds | @theglobeandmail.com [subscription required to view] - w/ research from UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Embracing Risky Schoolyard Play for Exploration, Learning, and Growth - Dr. Mariana Brussoni's online session from Nov. 6th, the third in the Green Schoolyard Lecture Series www.greenschoolyards.org/green-school...
Green Schoolyard Lecture Series — Green Schoolyards America
The Green Schoolyard Lecture Series discusses emerging topics and provides guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Sessions feature presentations by...
www.greenschoolyards.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Embracing Risky Schoolyard Play for Exploration, Learning, and Growth - Dr. Mariana Brussoni's online session from Nov. 6th, the third in the Green Schoolyard Lecture Series www.greenschoolyards.org/green-school...
New! Cdn research on measuring how friendly neighbourhoods are for kids' play:
Development and application of a geospatial index of urban playability for young children | Emily Gemmell, A. Cavenaugh, M. Brussoni, M. Guhn, F. Andrade-Rivas, I. Imon, M. Brauer www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Development and application of a geospatial index of urban playability for young children | Emily Gemmell, A. Cavenaugh, M. Brussoni, M. Guhn, F. Andrade-Rivas, I. Imon, M. Brauer www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
New! Cdn research on measuring how friendly neighbourhoods are for kids' play:
Development and application of a geospatial index of urban playability for young children | Emily Gemmell, A. Cavenaugh, M. Brussoni, M. Guhn, F. Andrade-Rivas, I. Imon, M. Brauer www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Development and application of a geospatial index of urban playability for young children | Emily Gemmell, A. Cavenaugh, M. Brussoni, M. Guhn, F. Andrade-Rivas, I. Imon, M. Brauer www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Our Lab's Rachel Ramsden is one of the 2026 Children The Heart of The Matter Conference panelists!
Conference will be held Jan 30 & 31, with sessions centred around the theme Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and Our Connection to the Land.
www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the...
Conference will be held Jan 30 & 31, with sessions centred around the theme Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and Our Connection to the Land.
www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the...
November 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Our Lab's Rachel Ramsden is one of the 2026 Children The Heart of The Matter Conference panelists!
Conference will be held Jan 30 & 31, with sessions centred around the theme Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and Our Connection to the Land.
www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the...
Conference will be held Jan 30 & 31, with sessions centred around the theme Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and Our Connection to the Land.
www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the...
NEW RELEASE! Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni's book, Embracing Risky Play at School, is now available to pre-order! Scheduled release date: Jan. 2026
If you're in Canada, visit: outdoorlearning.com/product/embr...
For US and other international orders, visit: www.tcpress.com/embracing-ri...
If you're in Canada, visit: outdoorlearning.com/product/embr...
For US and other international orders, visit: www.tcpress.com/embracing-ri...
Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow - Outdoor Learning School & Store
NEW RELEASE! Pre-orders Available Anticipated shipping date: End of January Children are naturally drawn to risky play—taking physical chances, seeking excitement, and satisfying curiosity—and are mor...
outdoorlearning.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
NEW RELEASE! Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni's book, Embracing Risky Play at School, is now available to pre-order! Scheduled release date: Jan. 2026
If you're in Canada, visit: outdoorlearning.com/product/embr...
For US and other international orders, visit: www.tcpress.com/embracing-ri...
If you're in Canada, visit: outdoorlearning.com/product/embr...
For US and other international orders, visit: www.tcpress.com/embracing-ri...
[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Adventurous play the new normal as kids take to 'risky' new equipment
'Cliff riders' have sparked concern among some community members, but 20 have been installed across the country in an effort to help children learn through risk-taking.
www.abc.net.au
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Outside Play Lab
🎉 It’s here 🎉
The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play is officially live!
Packed with new insights, sector-specific recommendations, and grounded in 9 key themes, this updated Statement is your go-to guide for supporting active outdoor play for all! 🌿
www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play is officially live!
Packed with new insights, sector-specific recommendations, and grounded in 9 key themes, this updated Statement is your go-to guide for supporting active outdoor play for all! 🌿
www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
September 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
🎉 It’s here 🎉
The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play is officially live!
Packed with new insights, sector-specific recommendations, and grounded in 9 key themes, this updated Statement is your go-to guide for supporting active outdoor play for all! 🌿
www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play is officially live!
Packed with new insights, sector-specific recommendations, and grounded in 9 key themes, this updated Statement is your go-to guide for supporting active outdoor play for all! 🌿
www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
How can active outdoor play build a better planet? -- Active For Life looks at the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play activeforlife.com/outdoor-play... @outdoorplayca.bsky.social
How can active outdoor play build a better planet?
With its 2025 position statement on active outdoor play, Outdoor Play Canada envisions a world in which play builds healthier, more resilient communities.
activeforlife.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
How can active outdoor play build a better planet? -- Active For Life looks at the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play activeforlife.com/outdoor-play... @outdoorplayca.bsky.social
Move over, helicopter parents. Try being a lifeguard parent instead - by Katherine Martinko, for @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/life/advice/...
Move over, helicopter parents. Try being a lifeguard parent instead
A lifeguard parent sits on the sidelines, ready to dive in if necessary – but otherwise, they stay out of the way
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Move over, helicopter parents. Try being a lifeguard parent instead - by Katherine Martinko, for @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/life/advice/...
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
September 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
One Community’s Experiment With a Phone-Free Childhood time.com/7314325/bala...
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.
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
September 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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.
Rachel reflects on her PhD research, interviewing young kids about playing outside and what we can learn from children about playground design.
Reposted by Outside Play Lab
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...
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
September 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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...
But some hope that “thoughtful planning” can work.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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/
2025 Statement is global in scope & highlights benefits of active outdoor play for all cultures, abilities, communities, and the environment. www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
September 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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/
2025 Statement is global in scope & highlights benefits of active outdoor play for all cultures, abilities, communities, and the environment. www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/aop10/
*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/
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
August 28, 2025 at 10:44 PM
*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/
letgrow.org/careers/
Reposted by Outside Play Lab
Exciting book post! First look at a hard copy of the book I wrote with Zoe Sills. #eyfs #riskyplay #edusky
August 13, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Exciting book post! First look at a hard copy of the book I wrote with Zoe Sills. #eyfs #riskyplay #edusky