CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - including submissions on outdoor-related work - Atlantic Education Graduate Student Conference 2026 | Deadline: Feb. 27 | bit.ly/AEGSC26

THIS WEEK! Feb. 5, 3:00PM-4:30PM (PST): Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni lead a webinar as they promote their new book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow | For more info and to register, visit earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embr...

As the world has come to seem scarier, the tech industry has drawn children indoors with vibrant iPad games and an endless stream of YouTube slop. “The offline spaces where kids once congregated have emptied out,” writes Simon Lewsen. https://thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let-kids-be-free/

Here's my latest essay for @thewalrus.ca. As a parent, I understand the impulse to protect kids. Danger is real. And on the other side of danger? Unimaginable loss. But safety, I've come to believe, is inversely correlated with freedom—which, for kids, is sacrosanct. thewalrus.ca/is-it-danger...

What does it mean to raise independent kids in a culture obsessed with safety? In his latest essay for The Walrus, Simon Lewsen examines the risks, contradictions, and consequences of free-range parenting: https://thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let-kids-be-free/

"In an era when young men are disappearing into bedrooms and internet forums, her son remains fascinated by the tactile, physical environment." Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free | Simon Lewsen @thewalrus.ca feat. interview w/Dr. Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social thewalrus.ca/is-it-danger...

Surrey caregivers conference looks at the importance of outdoor play - conference includes Friday keynote by Dr. Mariana Brussoni - northdeltareporter.com/2026/01/23/s...

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...

Great convo with @mbrussoni.bsky.social 🛝 @bcchresearch.bsky.social

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

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...

“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

"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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

🎉 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/

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/...

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.

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...

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/

*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/

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

"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...

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

‘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-...

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...

"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...

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

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.

"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...

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

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

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

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...

"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...

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

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...

"Let Your Kid Climb That Tree" - Henry Abbott looks at the importance of children's risky play, including connection to injury prevention in professional athletes, via @theatlantic.com [ Also available here: www.aol.com/let-kid-clim... ]

New national Risky Play Position Statement released in Australia! "This Position Statement challenges the current Australian narrative around risky play and highlights a benefit-risk approach to risky play for all young children." www.playaustralia.org.au/national-ris...

Children are far better off playing in the sun than sitting in a stuffy classroom www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07... | Also available via MSN www.msn.com/en-ca/lifest...