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Outside Play Lab

@outsideplayubc.bsky.social
644 followers 680 following 132 posts

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

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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
New Outside Play Lab research shows that outdoor risky play can support early childhood development, highlighting the importance of limiting screen time and providing outdoor risky play opportunities. Read the article: doi.org/10.1016/j.ea... Authors: Rachel Ramsden, Randip Gill & Mariana Brussoni
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Join Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Dr. Megan Zeni this November for a free 60-minute virtual workshop on Supporting Risky Play in Schools 🌿 Learn how educators and schools can create space for challenge, confidence-building and meaningful risky play. Register: outdoorlearning.com/events/categ...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
We’re excited to see risky play featured in The Economist! 🎉 The article highlights the importance of letting children be children and Scandinavia’s approach to play. Read it here: www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com
In praise of Scandinavia’s risky and dirty playgrounds
Kids stand to gain from a few bumps, bruises and mud-splatters
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Want to raise resilient kids? Let them take risks. | The last Show with David Cooper, guest Dr. Mariana Brussoni - interview segment youtu.be/uP_saaTXYX4?...
youtu.be
Want to raise resilient kids? Let them take risks.
YouTube video by The Last Show with David Cooper
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Reposted by Outside Play Lab
Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I shall watch this with interest. There's no way to get 60% of kids actively travelling to school without disrupting current patterns of car-based mobility. This includes making all urban streets safer, not just those right outside schools www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Ministers want 60% of pupils in England ‘actively’ travelling to school by 2035
Exclusive: Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, says cycling and walking plan focuses on ‘everyday travel needs’
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
"In classrooms, community spaces, and moments of uncertainty, play helps girls learn, connect, and feel like themselves again." | By Kiana Beharry plancanada.ca/en-ca/storie...
plancanada.ca
Play-based learning: why play matters for girls in crisis and conflict
Supporting girls through play-based learning fosters resilience, confidence, and leadership—even in the toughest environments.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Faut-il laisser les enfants prendre des risques? youtu.be/7VdBkl1OcT0
youtu.be
Faut-il laisser les enfants prendre des risques ?
YouTube video by franceinfo
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Study links risky play to quicker, smarter decision-making | Interview with Dr. Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/vi...
ctvnews.ca
Study links risky play to quicker, smarter decision-making
Your Morning Vancouver speaks to University of British Columbia professor Dr. Mariana Brossoni about the relationship between risky play and decision-making.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The benefits of "risky play" for kids | Mariana Brussoni's interview on The Jill Bennett Show @globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/bc/program/t...
globalnews.ca
The Jill Bennett Show | Global News
The Jill Bennett Show | Global News
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
"New research from UBC and Queen Maud University College (Norway), led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni reveals that kids who take more risks on the playground make faster, safer decisions in traffic." pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/2026/05/19/k...
pediatrics.med.ubc.ca
Kids who take risks at play make faster, smarter decisions in traffic - Department of Pediatrics
New research from UBC and Queen Maud University College (Norway), led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni reveals that kids who take more risks on the playground make faster, safer decisions in traffic. A new stu...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Kids who take risks at play make faster, smarter decisions in traffic | Mariana Brussoni's interview on CBC's On The Coast about risky play, including recent virtual-reality based research www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
cbc.ca
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
"We find that there is a broad culture of low autonomy and low unsupervised play that pervades the United States." From: www.afterbabel.com/p/state-of-c... - based on findings from a recent Institute for Family Studies survey
afterbabel.com
The State of Childhood in the U.S.
A new survey of U.S. parents by the Institute for Family Studies suggests that kids are still overprotected in the real world and underprotected online.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Active Play and Why Risky Play Matters More Than You Think | Dr. Mariana Brussoni talks with Dr. Emily Greenwald (Feb. 2026 episode of Dr. Emily's podcast) www.activeplayeveryday.com/episodes/ris...
activeplayeveryday.com
Active Play and Why Risky Play Matters More Than You Think - Episode 2 — Active Play Every Day
Why risky play is essential for kids. A pediatrician and researcher explain how active play builds confidence and resilience.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Backing risky play: a pathway to building a child’s strength and resilience thesector.com.au/article/back...
thesector.com.au
Backing risky play: a pathway to building a child’s strength  and resilience
While many playgrounds are becoming increasingly cautious and controlled, Queensland  Childcare Services is backing a riskier approach, giving children more opportunities to climb,  balance and explor...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
NEW ARTICLE [open access]: ‘There are so many good things outside, let me tell you’: Children’s qualitative perspectives of outdoor play affordances at early learning and child care | By Rachel Ramsden, Emily Jenkins, Sally Thorne, Ian Pike & Mariana Brussoni journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Parents Who Hover Too Much Usually Raise Kids Who Struggle With These 5 Things Later On | @mbrussoni.bsky.social : "being put in a position where they have to figure things out independently helps kids develop their executive function" www.yourtango.com/family/paren...
yourtango.com
Parents Who Hover Too Much Usually Raise Kids Who Struggle With These 5 Things Later On
According to child health experts, helicopter parenting, in which parents hover too much, can be detrimental to kids' development because it limits their independence, which is integral to brain and b...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Today is Healthy Environments for Learning Day! We are one of over 50 organizations in Canada calling for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient outdoor learning and play settings for all children. To learn more, visit: healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/held/2026-ca... @cpche.ca
healthyenvironmentforkids.ca
2026 Campaign: Outdoor Learning Settings - Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE)
Welcome Healthy Environments for Learning Day (HELD) 2026: Outdoor Learning Settings. Thursday April 23, 2026 Children thrive outdoors. There is robust research showing that children are healthier, mo...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
We were excited to see this great TED-Ed Animation, which included Dr. Mariana Brussoni as the Expert Consultant: WHY KIDS NEED TO TAKE MORE RISKS www.ted.com/talks/ted_ed...
ted.com
Why kids need to take more risks
The best play environments offer freedom and novelty that kids can explore as much or as little as they like. But traditional playgrounds don’t offer much flexibility— swings, slides, and climbing fra...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
ShiftED Podcast #90 In Conversation with Mariana Brussoni: Safe as Necessary, Not as Possible www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HW7...
youtube.com
ShiftED Podcast #90 In Conversation with Mariana Brussoni: Safe as Necessary, Not as Possible
YouTube video by LEARN
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Starting next week!! EMBRACING RISKY PLAY - online course for educators and teachers. The course includes four 60-minute sessions, led by Mariana Brussoni, Megan Zeni, Sheila Grieve and Susan Herrington. For details and to register, visit: outdoorlearning.com/event/embrac...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Reimagining Play: The Role of Risk in Childhood Growth | Dr. Mariana Brussoni was recently a guest on The Locked up Living Podcast, with Dr. Naomi Murphy and David Jones lockedupliving.podbean.com
lockedupliving.podbean.com
The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments | Podcasters David Jones & Dr Naomi Murphy
Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be relentl...
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Visible Procrastinations @visibleprocrast.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
“ … "risky play" is good for kids’ mental, physical and social health — even if it might result in injury. In an interview from January, we hear what’s behind this new advice, why ”incredibly boring playgrounds” are part of the problem, and why parents might need to just take a deep breath. “
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
CBC's The Current revisited one of our favourite segments this morning: Why Risky Play is Good for Kids - hear kids talk about play, as well as interviews with Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social and Alexandra Lange @langealexandra.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
cbc.ca
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
👉 UPCOMING COURSE: Embracing Risky Play | With Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Dr. Megan Zeni, Sheila Grieve and Susan Herrington - 4x weekly 60-minute online sessions, starting on April 13 | For more info and to register: outdoorlearning.com/event/embrac...
outdoorlearning.com
Embracing Risky Play Course - Spring 2026 - Outdoor Learning School & Store
4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern Time for 60 mins on Zoom on these dates:
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
“When every moment is planned, kids have fewer opportunities to develop emotional control and internal motivation.” www.seattletimes.com/life/food-dr... | Jessica Haggard @seattletimes.com on unstructured play, including our online resource for parents www.outsideplay.org/tool-microsi...
seattletimes.com
As kids adapt to boredom, unstructured fun rises again
A growing number of American families rethink packed schedules as children show a clear preference for unstructured play. The Harris Poll surveyed more than 500 children ages 8 to 12 across the United...
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Reposted by Outside Play Lab
UBC News @news.ubc.ca · 23/02/2026
@outsideplayubc.bsky.social created a free online tool that helps parents increase children’s outdoor time, supporting the shift from screen-based activities to independent, imaginative play. via @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
seattletimes.com
As kids adapt to boredom, unstructured fun rises again
A growing number of American families rethink packed schedules as children show a clear preference for unstructured play. The Harris Poll surveyed more than 500 children ages 8 to 12 across the…
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - including submissions on outdoor-related work - Atlantic Education Graduate Student Conference 2026 | Deadline: Feb. 27 | bit.ly/AEGSC26
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
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...
earlylearning.ubc.ca
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,...
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Reposted by Outside Play Lab
The Walrus @thewalrus.ca · 29/01/2026
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. thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let…
On the left: an illustration of a parent and child on a swingset. The parent's swing is under the swingset, while the child is sitting on a swing above the structure. On the right: text that reads “Is it dangerous to let kids be free? From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear”
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Simon Lewsen @simonlewsen.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
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...
thewalrus.ca
Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free? | The Walrus
From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear
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Reposted by Outside Play Lab
The Walrus @thewalrus.ca · 26/01/2026
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: thewalrus.ca/is-it-dangerous-to-let…
On the left: an illustration of a parent and child on a swingset. The parent's swing is under the swingset, while the child is sitting on a swing above the structure. On the right: text that reads “Is it dangerous to let kids be free? From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear”
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
"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...
thewalrus.ca
Is It Dangerous to Let Kids Be Free? | The Walrus
From bus rides to playgrounds, we are raising our children in a culture of fear
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Surrey caregivers conference looks at the importance of outdoor play - conference includes Friday keynote by Dr. Mariana Brussoni - northdeltareporter.com/2026/01/23/s...
northdeltareporter.com
Surrey caregivers conference looks at the importance of outdoor play - North Delta Reporter
Two-day conference set for Bell Performing Arts Centre Jan. 30-31
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Why parents shouldn't let winter weather cut down on outdoor play for kids www.saltwire.com/newfoundland...
saltwire.com
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
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Hong Kong forest schools are embracing ‘risky play’ for children as young as 2 www.scmp.com/special-repo...
scmp.com
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.
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Reposted by Outside Play Lab
BCCHR ResDev (DM) @resdevbcch.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Great convo with @mbrussoni.bsky.social 🛝 @bcchresearch.bsky.social
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
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
youtube.com
Embracing Risky Play at Schools with Dr. Mariana Brussoni
YouTube video by Lauren MacLean
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
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...
earlylearning.ubc.ca
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,...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
“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
cbc.ca
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 ...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
"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...
tiktok.com
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
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
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...
doi.org
Redirecting
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
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
news.ubc.ca
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...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
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...
journals.plos.org
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 ...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
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...
theglobeandmail.com
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
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
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...
greenschoolyards.org
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...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
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...
sciencedirect.com
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
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...
outdoorlearning.com
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...
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Outside Play Lab @outsideplayubc.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
abc.net.au
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.
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Outdoor Play Canada @outdoorplayca.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
🎉 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/
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